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Bernard Tilanus in the DAW Maurer MM83 at Aldo Scribante in 1983.  Copyright motoprint.co.za/David Pearson 2024.  Used with permission.

Formula South Africa 1983

The continuing rise of Formula SA's profile after the dramatic 1982 season lured Ian Scheckter back to the category in 1983. He rejoined chief mechanic Ken Howes, who was also looking after the March 82A/822 of reigning champion Graham Duxbury and bought a March 822 to start the season. Tony Martin bought a Maurer MM82, compete with Maurer's trick suspension, and won both heats at the opening round, with Scheckter only second. Scheckter was second again at the next round, this time behind Duxbury. Such a dreadful runs of results for the former champion was the perfect publicity for the series, as crowds flocked to see him beaten. Scheckter responded by investing Gunston's generous budget in a brand new March 832 and went on to win 13 races in succession to take the title.

Duxbury also received a March 832, and finished second in the championship ahead of Martin in his Maurer. Wayne Taylor went well in Pretoria Brick Racing's Ralt RT4/82, but later in the season moved to Brian Ferris's team. Former champion Bernard Tilanus drove a brand new Maurer MM83 for DAW Supplies, but was dropped by team boss Jeff Waberski after a few races in favour of Trevor van Rooyen. Tilanus went off to Fred Goddard's team to race a hybrid March 822/802 built from Scheckter's early-season car. The March was quickly replaced by a locally-built Lant, a blatant Ralt copy, but Tilanus was not happy with either car. Other drivers in competitive ground-effect cars included John Moni and Matt Keyser in Maurer MM81s, and Brian Ferris and George Fouche in Ralt RT4s.

This was also the season that saw the introduction of a separate class for non-wing (ground-effects) chassis, in an effort to retain the interest and value in the older cars. They are identifiable by having racing numbers issued from 50 upwards, and 15 were used in this format during 1983.

The races

15 Jan 1983 > Aldo Scribante

15 Jan 1983 > Aldo Scribante

29 Jan 1983 > Kyalami

12 Feb 1983 > Killarney

12 Feb 1983 > Killarney

05 Mar 1983 > Welkom

16 Apr 1983 > Killarney

16 Apr 1983 > Killarney

30 Apr 1983 > Kyalami

14 May 1983 > Welkom

31 May 1983 > Kyalami

31 May 1983 > Kyalami

16 Jul 1983 > Kyalami

27 Aug 1983 > Kyalami

10 Sep 1983 > Killarney

10 Sep 1983 > Killarney

24 Sep 1983 > Kyalami

01 Oct 1983 > Welkom

1983 South African Sigma Series for Formula Atlantic table

1Ian ScheckterMarch 822 - Mazda 12A
March 832 - Mazda 12A
204 pts 
2Graham DuxburyMarch 82A/822 - Mazda 12A
March 832 - Mazda 12A
114 pts 
3Tony MartinMaurer MM82 - Mazda 12A94 pts 
4Wayne TaylorRalt RT4/82 - Mazda 12A57 pts 
5Trevor van RooyenMaurer MM81/82 - Mazda 12A
Maurer MM83 - Mazda 12A
54 pts 
6Bernard TilanusMaurer MM83 - Mazda 12A
March 822/802 - Mazda 12A
Lant RR83 - Mazda 12A
45 pts 

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Next: the 1984 season