South African Formula Atlantic - car by car

Below are the 36 cars that appeared in South African Formula Atlantic from 1976 to 1979.

Brabham BT38/12

Henri Pescarolo in the Rondel Brabham BT38 at Hockenheim in October 1972. Copyright Walter C Harbers III 2021. Used with permission.

Jackie Pretorius in his Brabham BT38 at Kyalami in 1973. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New for Motul Rondel Racing in 1972, and raced by Bob Wollek, Henri Pescarolo (who won at Enna-Pergusa), and others. One of a group of cars sold to South Africa after the Torneio do Brasil. Raced by Jackie Pretorius in 1973, using an Alan Smith Cosworth FVC, then to John Amm for 1974. Converted to Formula Atlantic and raced again by Amm in 1976. It was retained by John Amm until 1994 and then sold to Dickon Daggitt who had the car restored by Peanuts Fouche in Cape Town. After the restoration, it was sold to Thomas Koch some time around 1997-1999, and exported to the US. Then sold to Terry Allard (Denver, CO) some time before 2005.

Current owner: Terry Allard (USA) 2018

(See also Brabham BT38 car-by-car histories.)

John Love in the Team Gunston Chevron B25 at Kyalami in 1973. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Tony Martin in his Chevron B25 at Kyalami in 1974. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Chassis number given by the Formula 1 Register (F1R) on the #6 Team Gunston car of John Love in the 1973 South African Formula 1 championship (F2 class). Sold to Tony Martin for the 1974 South African season, and retained for 1975, when he fitted it with a 2-litre Hart BDA. It was then sold to Mike Fogg for Formula Atlantic in 1976. It went to Ivor Raasch for 1977, and he used the back end of the car in a spaceframe Ford Escort Special Saloon. The car then went to Alan Macdonald for 1979 and was reconstituted, now with a Cosworth BDG, and Macdonald raced it in this form at Roy Hesketh later that year. The organisers knew its engine was not eligible, but were apparently grateful for another car on the grid. Macdonald later sold off the Hewland FG400 and Cosworth BDG but kept the rolling chassis until he sold it to Mike Budd in Johannesburg. Budd still had the car in March 2006. By 2016, the car was with Stuart Thompson and was being restored. Still with Thompson in August 2024.

Current owner: Stuart Thompson (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B25 car-by-car histories.)

Ian Scheckter in the Team Gunston Chevron B25 in 1973. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Bernard Tilanus in the Rack-Rite Racing Chevron B25 at Kyalami in 1980. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Chassis number observed by the Formula 1 Register (F1R) on the #7 Team Gunston car of Brian van Hage in the 1973 South African Formula 1 championship (F2 class). This car was raced by Ian Scheckter at the start of the 1973 season, then by Piet de Klerk, Andrew Thompson and Brian von Hage after Scheckter moved to the team's #8 car. These two cars remained with the team for 1974, now run by Ken Howes as Team Lexington. Chassis 73-02 is believed to have been the car driven by Guy Tunmer in 1974, and then by Roy Klomfass in 1975. At the end of 1975 it was sold, with chassis 73-03, to the Domingo brothers and converted to Formula Atlantic for 1976. Although it has not been possible to determine the exact usage of the two cars, it is assumed here that 73-02 was the #8 car raced by John Nicholson, Alan Domingo and Yunus Domingo in 1976. In 1978, one of the B25s was sold to Mel Lahner, and entered by his Rackrite team for Mike Hoffmann to drive. Not seen in 1979, but then converted by Andrew Thompson to Mazda rotary engines for the new South African 'Atlantic' rules. Raced by various drivers in this form in 1981 and 1982. In the absence of any other information, it is assumed that 73-02 was the first choice car, wearing #10 in 1980 and #15 in 1981. Sold to Thompson in 1983, and retained until the mid-1990s when it was restored, and sold to Gary Dunkerley in 1998. Sold on in December 2006 about 2005 to a 'racing trust' owned by Anthony Corin (Pretoria) and Peter Lindenberg. They sold it to New Zealand some time around 2016.

Current owner: Unknown owner (New Zealand) 2016

(See also Chevron B25 car-by-car histories.)

Brian van Hage in the Lexington Racing Chevron B25 at the Rand Spring Trophy in September 1974. Copyright Ben van Rensburg 2016. Used with permission.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum's Chevron B25 at Killarney in December 2019. Copyright Tony Kent 2019. Used with permission.

Chassis number observed by the Formula 1 Register (F1R) on the Team Gunston car of Ian Scheckter in the 1973 South African Formula 1 championship (F2 class). This car, and its sister chassis 73-02, were retained by the team for 1974, when they ran with Lexington sponsorship. Chassis 73-03 is believed to have been the car driven by Brian van Hage in 1974. In 1975, the team ran one of the B25s for Roy Klomfass, with the other one being kept as a spare car for him. Both cars were sold to the Domingo brothers for the inaugural year of the South African Formula Atlantic championship but it has not proved possibly to identify the individual histories of the two cars during this period. It is assumed that 73-02 was the #7 car driven by Joe Domingo in 1976, by Yunus Domingo in 1977, and then the #11 car entered for Joe Domingo in 1978. Not seen in 1979, but then sold to Mel Lahner for 1980, and converted by Andrew Thompson to Mazda rotary engines for the new South African 'Atlantic' rules. Raced by various drivers in this form in 1981 and 1982. In the absence of any other information, it is assumed that 73-03 was the first choice car, wearing #12 in 1980 and #16 in 1981. In 1985 or 1986, Alan Macdonald and Andrew Thompson bought 73-02 and 73-03 from Mel Lahner. Thompson refurbished 73-03 for Johann Rupert's Franschhoek Motor Museum, and sold it to the museum in 1991. Still in the museum in August 2024.

Current owner: Franschhoek Motor Museum (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B25 car-by-car histories.)

Jim Crawford in the SDC Racing Chevron B29 during 1975. Copyright Ted Walker 2021. Used with permission.

Len Booysen in the Golden-Flo Chevron B29 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New for Jim Crawford at Oulton Park in late May when his early-season development car was rebuilt on a new monocoque, effectively becoming a new car with chassis number 29-75-15. Crawford raced this car seven times in the British Formula Atlantic series, winning two races, and also raced it in F2 specification at Silverstone in August, using a Geoff Richardson BDA engine. Richard Morgan (Purley, Surrey) then hired the car for a few races at the end of the season. To Len Booysen (Randburg, South Africa) for the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic series, entered by Golden-Flo Racing with Kenitex. Then to Dorino Treccani and raced by him in a few late 1977 and early 1978 races before it passed to Sarel Pienaar, who raced it for the rest of 1978 and in 1979.

It was purchased from Pienaar by Peter Haller in 1980 to provide parts for his homebuilt Haller Special. The B29 tub was not used in the Haller Special, and was never converted to a Mazda engine. After Haller's death in March 1984, the original tub and salvageable parts from the B29 and were bought from Haller's widow by Alan McDonald and Mike Budd. Their plans to build a sports car did not materialize, and the B29 was eventually restored by Budd for Mike Ward. The restoration was completed around 2005. It was later sold to Doug Brown, who returned it to its 1976 Golden Flo livery. Later sold to Colin Frost about 2015. Still with Frost in August 2024.

Current owner: Colin Frost (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B29 car-by-car histories.)

Gunnar Nilsson in the Rapid Movements Chevron B29 at Thruxton in 1975. Copyright Andrew Scriven 2010. Used with permission.

Manny Pinto in his Chevron B29 at Welkom in 1983. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

The Rapid Movements Chevron B29 driven by Matt Spitzley is believed to have suffered a testing accident at some point early in 1975, and it was rebuilt with a new monocoque. At the Oulton Park race on 26 May, it was noted as having chassis plate 75-25, but exactly when the rebuild took place is still unclear. Gunnar Nilsson took over the car from Spitzley in August, and recorded five successive wins in it, four of them from pole. In January 1976 it was sold to John Gibb (Randburg, South Africa), to be raced in the new South African Formula Atlantic series, entered by Team Mum for Men with backing from Pioneer Hi Fi. It was sold to Geoff Frizell (Durban, South Africa) for 1977, and returned with Frizell in 1979, when it was described as a B34. It then went to Manny Pinto, and was raced by him from 1980 to 1984, and then reappeared two years later with Trevor Trautmann who raced it in 1986. Trautmann exhanged it for Alan Dunlop's Lant, and the Chevron then went to Alan McDonald and Mike Budd. Budd restored it for Mark du Toit, who owned it in 2000. It was purchased by Anthony Corin (Malmesbury, South Africa) in 2004 and was still owned by him in June 2008. By 2019 it was owned by Colin Frost. Still with Frost in August 2024.

Current owner: Colin Frost (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B29 car-by-car histories.)

Tony Martin in his Chevron B34 at Roy Hesketh in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Evan Boddy in the South Coast Motors Chevron B34 at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Tony Martin for the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic championship, entered by Team Bic/South Coast Motors. Retained by Martin for 1977 as a spare car to his new B39 and raced only once that season, as a South Coast Motors entry for Evan Boddy at Kyalami in October. Raced by Boddy during 1978, entered again by South Coast Motors Racing. Raced again by Boddy in 1979, again entered by South Coast Motors, and also retained for 1980 as a backup for 34-76-08, but apparently unused that season. Sold in early 1981 to Stan Chandler, who commissioned SCM's engine specialist Piet Bredenhann to fit a Mazda rotary engine. The car was entered for John Banks to drive at Kyalami and at Goldfields Raceway in May 1981, at Kyalami in May 1982, and possibly at other races. Shortly after that last entry, it was sold to Ken Critchfield. The car was involved in an accident later in 1982 or in early 1983, and the engine and gearbox were then used by Fred Goddard to rebuild his March 802. The damaged Chevron tub and salvageable suspension components were returned to John Banks who retained it in its damaged state until selling it to Mike Budd in 1995. Budd was rebuilding the car for Gary Dunkerly, and after Mike's death in 2022, the restoration was taken over by his son Ryan.

Current owner: Ryan Budd (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B34 car-by-car histories.)

Guy Tunmer in his Chevron B34 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Peter Haller's Chevron B34 in the pits at Kyalami in 1982. Copyright Grant Georgopoulos 2022. Used with permission.

A works-backed Formula Atlantic development car entered for Bill Brack in STP livery in the opening two rounds of the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic championship. Then to Guy Tunmer (Sandton) who ran it for the rest of the 1976 season, entered by Paradise Beach/National Radio. Tunmer did not continue in Formula Atlantic in 1977, and in 1978 Andrew Thompson recalls buying a Chevron B34 from the Tunmers on behalf of Rembrandt. Entered by Thompson for Abel d'Oliveira for a couple of races in early 1979. Then to Peter Haller, who fitted a 3-litre Ford Essex V6 for the new Formula South Africa but the car did not race in this form. It was fitted with a Mazda engine for 1980, and Haller drove it that season and in early 1981 before his Haller Special was ready. This was presumably the B34 entered by Haller's sponsor Hekro Engineering for Roy Moss at Kyalami in August 1981. Entered for Haller's mechanic Freddie Sprenzer at Killarney in early 1982, then raced by Haller from late 1982 to early 1984. After Haller died in a racing accident, the B34 was bought from his widow Hettie by Michael Rudolph, who raced it in 1985 and 1986. The car is reported to have later gone to Alan Macdonald, and then found its way to Michael Budd. Some time before 2012, Budd sold the project to Michael Hillary, and then started a restoration for Hillary. Unfortunately, Budd died before completing the project, but his son Ryan Budd has continued the project for Hillary. Still with Budd in August 2024.

Current owner: Michael Hillary (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B34 car-by-car histories.)

Basil van Rooyen in his Chevron B34 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Tony Martin in his March-nosed Chevron B34 at Kyalami's Rand Spring Trophy in October 1978. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Basil van Rooyen for the South African Formula Atlantic series, sponsored by Wrangler Jeans. Van Rooyen significantly modified the car during the season, with a March nose and side radiators. Retained for 1977, again with Wrangler Jeans sponsorship. Van Rooyen recalls that he sold the car to Tony Martin, and it was at some point during this time that the car was raced by Desiré Wilson in the first few races of the 1978 series. It was raced by Tony Martin at some races in 1979 as an alternative to his unsatisfactory B45, but Bernard Tilanus recalls that "the tub was damaged when Tony fell asleep and went off the road writing the trailer and car off". Tilanus explained that Martin bought a replacement tub from Chevron and built a standard B34. It was entered for some late-1980 races as a spare car for Martin, and retained in early 1981 as a spare to Martin's new Maurer MM80. The B34 was then sold to Roley Nöffke, who raced it in 1981. At the end of the season, Mike Needell took over the drive, still entered by Nöffke's Roray Racing, and he drove it through the 1982 season. Tilanus reports that it later went to Keith Horwood. Tilanus then bought the car and sold it to Mike Fergusson, but the restoration was still incomplete when Fergusson died. It was then bought by Colin Frost, who took it to Andrew Thompson to complete the restoration. Driven by Neil Lobb at Kyalami in 2014. Still with Frost in September 2024.

Current owner: Colin Frost (South Africa) 2024

(See also Chevron B34 car-by-car histories.)

Gilles Villeneuve in his South Coast Motors Chevron B39 at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

A works entry for Gilles Villeneuve in the 1977 South African series, but crashed in testing prior to the first race. It was repaired in time, but handled badly and after two races, Paul Owens persuaded Derek Bennett to fly out to South Africa to test it. He determined a difference in the tub construction so flew back to England, fabricated a new monocoque, and returned to South Africa with the tub as excess hand baggage in time for the car to be rebuilt on it for Villeneuve to drive at Killarney. Villeneuve was still unhappy with the car and his South African season ended when he hit Ian Scheckter's March 77B during the race. The damaged B39 is believed to have been returned to the Chevron factory to be rebuilt and then sold to the US. However, the US owner has not yet been determined with confidence.

Current owner: unknown

(See also Chevron B39 car-by-car histories.)

Tony Martin in his BIC Chevron B39 at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2007. Used with permission.

Tony Martin in his Chevron B39 at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Tony Martin (Durban, South Africa) and raced in the 1977 South African series. Retained for 1978 as a spare car to Martin's new B45, and and upgraded to B45 specification. Sold for 1979 to Paul England for Peter Larner to race in the early 1979 Australian Internationals. Larry Perkins took over the drive later in 1979, and also drove the car in the Aurora AFX Formula Pacific Championship in New Zealand in early 1980 and the Australian National Panasonic Formula Pacific series in 1981. Some time about 1985 or 1986, the car was sold to Norm Carr (Victoria) who raced it once or twice before damaging one corner at Calder. When Carr acquired it the chassis plate was missing so he had a new one issued by Roger Andreason at Chevron which read "39-77-B-02". It was still owned by Carr in 2003. It was bought from Carr by Jake Reed (Victoria, Australia) around April 2019. He completely restored it using a new monocoque built by Chevron Cars Ltd in the UK. Still with Reed in January 2024.

Current owner: Jake Reed (Australia) 2024

(See also Chevron B39 car-by-car histories.)

Tony Martin in his Gillibrand "wing car" Chevron B45 at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Tony Martin in his BP 2000 Chevron B45 at Kyalami in 1980. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to South Coast Motors for Tony Martin to race in the South African Formula Atlantic series in 1978, sponsored by the United Tobacco Company's Lucky Strike brand, and initially wearing Chevron B39 bodywork. Retained for 1979, but Martin also had an older Chevron B34 which was used at several races. The B45 was then fitted with a 3-litre Ford V6 engine for the new Formula South Africa that started in July 1979. It was also rebuilt by Ken Gillibrand as a "wing car", but this was not a success and it was rebuilt to more standard specification. It was fitted with a Mazda engine for 1980 and entered by South Coast Motors for Len Booysen to drive in the first few races of the season, but Martin had to take over the car when his preferred B34 was damaged in a towing accident. He was very successful in the car that season, but reports only gave it as a BP Racing Propart Chevron or a BP McCarthy Chevron, so it's unclear when he used his rebuilt B34. Martin bought an ex-F2 Maurer MM80 for 1981. The B45 was later destroyed in a garage fire.

Current owner: Destroyed 1980

(See also Chevron B45 car-by-car histories.)

Andre Du Plessis in the Donnelly JD201 at Welkom in 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Lew Baker in the Donnelly JD201 at Kyalami in 1982. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

The Donnelly JD201 was built for Formula Atlantic in South Africa by ex-Brabham engineer John Donnelly during 1977 when he was based in Durban, in conjunction with building the JD1 for Formula Ford. The Formula Atlantic car had a stainless steel monocoque with Modus suspension and wedge bodywork inspired by Formula Ford practice. It was first raced by Clive Cooke at Kyalami in February 1978 and proved competitive, with Cooke achieving three good finishes that season. The Donnelly was entered by Team Donnelly Racing for local driver Len Booysen to drive in early 1979, but any firm details of it actually racing are elusive. It was acquired by Piet Fouche's Pretoria Brick team, fitted with a Mazda engine for the new Formula South Africa, and entered for Formula Ford star André du Plessis towards the end of the 1980 season. Du Plessis then drove the car in 1981 alongside brother Jan du Plessis in the team's March 792. By May 1982 the Donnelly had been sold to Lew Baker, who entered it for Piet de Klerk to drive, then for himself, and then for Mike Bucknall. The Donnelly was then stripped so its Modus running gear could be used on a Tiga sports cars that had previously used Maurer MM83 running gear. The Tiga passed to Dorino Trocchani, and the Donnelly monocoque was thrown away by Baker in 1985.

Current owner: Scrapped 1985

Elf 2 (Jabouille) 2J7702

Len Booysen in the Kauhsen-entered Jabouille-built Elf 2J at Killarney in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Described as a new car for Michel Leclère to drive for the Willi Kauhsen Racing Team in Formula 2 in 1977, using an unraced chassis 7604 built up in France, then built into car by Kauhsen in Aachen. Leclère put this car on pole position at Silverstone, the opening round of the 1977 series, but the team's performance went downhill very quickly. This car was comprehensively destroyed when the brakes failed in practice at the Nürburgring, but it appears that the new car that appeared at Vallelunga retained the 7702 identity. How it was used for the rest of 1977 is unclear, but it appears to have been the car taken to South Africa in January 1978 and raced as a Formula Atlantic car by Len Booysen and Derek Bell. It returned to Europe, had the Renault engine refitted, and was sold to Dieter Kern (Ransbach-Baumbach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) to be used in two early-season F2 races, at Hockenheim and Nürburgring, and then in German hillclimbs. Kern continued to race this car in German hillclimbs through 1979 and 1980, despite often being the only car in the F2 class. Kern continued to appear with the car in modified form in 1981 and 1982. It has been reported that the car was acquired by fellow European hillclimber Ruedi Jauslin at some point, still with its Renault V6 engine.

Current owner: unknown

March 722/11

Guy Tunmer in the Paradise Beach March 722 at Kyalami in 1973. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Bobby Scott in Andrew Thompson's Kronenbräu March at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Brett Lunger, and entered by Space Racing for him in F2 in 1972. Bob Sparshott's partner John 'Ace' Woodington was in charge of the F1 team, with ex-Surtees mechanic Roger Flynn. Lunger also raced the car in the Torneio do Brasil in October and November 1972. March records show that this car was sold to Guy Tunmer in December 1972, although press reports at the time said Tunmer had bought the ex-Ronnie Peterson car. Tunmer (Sandton, South Africa) had acquired the 722 for the new "F2" class of the South African national championship, and had it fitted with an 1800cc Cosworth FVC and raced it through 1973. The car was not seen in 1974, but is believed to have been kept as a spare to Tunmer's new Chevron. In 1975, it was sold to André Verwey (Johannesburg, South Africa) who planned to rebuild it with a BMW F2 engine and Hewland FG400 gearbox, but when Formula Atlantic was announced, he updated it with bright red 74B bodywork and a Nicholson BDA engine. Used in this form by Verwey in two races late 1975, and then into 1976. Sold back to the Tunmers in mid-1976 for Mervyn Tunmer to use, when it was reclothed in March 76B bodywork. Unused in 1977, but then sold to Andrew Thompson in 1978, converted to a Ford V6 engine for the new formula, and raced in that form by Bobby Scott in 1979. At this time it had mostly 77B bodywork but with a front radiator and 79B sidepods, and was sponsored by Rembrandt through its Kronenbräu 1308 Lager brand. After Rembrandt's withdrawal, it was sold to Mel Lahner's Rackrite team for 1980, and raced by Derek Ziman and John McNicol. It was rebuilt with a Mazda engine mid-season. Retained by Rackrite for 1981, when it was entered for McNicol, Ziman and Lahner, then raced by Bernard Tilanus for a few races before he left the team, then by his replacement Trevor van Rooyen, and finally McNicol took it over again. Both Tilanus and van Rooyen won races in it that season. It was retained again for 1982, when Lahner's son Wayne drove it, and by this time it was in standard March 77B bodywork, but with a 79B rear wing. It was retained by the Lahner family until 2004, when it was sold back to Andrew and Stuart Thompson. Still with Stuart Thompson in August 2024.

Current owner: Stuart Thompson (South Africa) 2024

(See also March 722 (Formula 2) car-by-car histories.)

Garry Ainscough in his 74B-bodied March at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Kent Dyson in his 77B-bodied March at Kyalami in 1982. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Built up in March 74B specification by André Verwey (Johannesburg, South Africa) for Garry Ainscough (Bulawayo, Rhodesia) to race in the South African Formula Atlantic series in 1976. It has been suggested that it was built from a March 722, chassis 722/17, but evidence for this proving elusive, and it is possible that a tub number, such as AM72-17, has been misinterpreted. Ainscough raced the car again at the start of 1977, but it then disappeared again until 1980, when Alan Macdonald bought a March 722 from Tony Martin and updated it with a Mazda engine and wing-car sidepods for the Sigma Series. It was reported to be the "ex-Ainscough" March. Macdonald sold it to Dave Hart's Team Valvoline for 1981 after Hart lost his drive in the Hekro March 802. Kent Dyson bought it from Hart for the last race of the 1981 season and retained it for 1982, intending to update it to 77B specification. Ian Hebblethwaite then reports that it went to Keith Horwood for Michael Bryan in 1985, and then to Lew Baker who was the last to race it. In about 1988, it was sold via Brian Raubenheimer in South Africa to David McLaughlin in England. Its history after 1988 is still to be resolved.

Current owner: unknown

(See also March 722 (Formula 2) car-by-car histories.)

Len Booysen in the Golden-Flo March 76B at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Vernon Bricknell in his ex-DAW March 77B at Kyalami in early 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Ian Scheckter for South African Formula Atlantic in 1976. Sold to Len Booysen for the 1977 season, then loaned by Booysen to Dave Charlton to drive. During this time it was bought from Booysen by Ken Gillibrand, who then loaned to DAW for Bernard Tilanus to drive in April and May 1978. It was unused in 1979, and advertised by Gillibrand in August. Sold later in 1979 to Soon Weeks who fitted the 2-litre BMW engine from Dave Hart's March 77B and raced it in this form in early 1980. Then swapped with Bernard Tilanus and the DAW team for DAW's Wheatcroft R18, and fitted with a Mazda engine. Raced several times by Tilanus but he then left the team after a disagreement with Jeff Waberski and was replaced by Trevor van Rooyen, who raced the 76B for the rest of 1980. It was sold to Vernon Bricknell at the end of that season, and raced by him in early 1981 until his new Maurer MM80 arrived. The 76B was then sold yet again, this time to the Pretoria Brick team for Wayne Taylor to drive, until Hekro's March 802 was acquired for him. Pretoria Brick retained the 76B for 1982, when it was raced by Basil Mann, Kevin Heath and Roy Carr. It was sold to Alan Dunlop for 1983, and he raced it until 1985. It then passed to Neville Riddell and most of its components were used in a sports car built for Riddell by Lew Baker. All that was left was the tub, and this was sold to Fred Goddard who is believed to have stripped it to keep the bulkheads as spares. At this point the 76B no longer existed.

Current owner: No longer exists

March 76B/19

Dave Charlton in the Scribante/Lucky Strike Racing March 76B at Roy Hesketh in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Mike Domingo in his March 76B at Welkom in 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Sold to Dave Charlton in July 1976 for to drive for the Scribante team in South African Formula Atlantic, sponsored by United Tobacco through its Lucky Strike brand. The March replaced Charlton's existing Modus M3, debuting at the Rand Winter Trophy in August 1976 Charlton raced the March again in 1977, and at the start of 1978, at which point Lucky Strike withdrew Charlton's sponsorship, moving it to Tony Martin. The March 76B reverted to Alex Blignaut, who retained United Tobacco sponsorship through the Benson & Hedges brand. The 76B was kept as a spare car to the March 77B he ran for Nols Neiman until the end of the short 1978 season, when the engine and gearbox were sold to Andrew Thompson. The 76B was retained by Blignaut's team in 1979 but not used that season. It was then sold to the Domingo brothers (who also owned a bitza 76B built using a spare 76B monocoque) and fitted with a Mazda engine for Roy Klomfass to race in Formula South Africa in 1980. After Klomfass turned down the drive, Domingo drove it instead. The car was driven Dave Charlton at Kyalami in August 1980 as Domingo was observing Ramadan, but failed to start after being injured in practice for the saloon car race. Domingo continued to drive the car until early 1981, when it was sold to Ivano Moavero and raced by him in 1981 and part of 1982. Then in mid-1982, Moavero bought the highly-developed ex-Duxbury 77B, and sold the 76B to Michele ('Mike') Peters who raced it through to July 1985. Peters sold the car to Terry Moss, to replace the 77B that Moss had wrecked. However, instead of racing the 76B, Moss stripped the car and used its components to build up a March 782. The 76B tub was put aside until 2010, when it was acquired from a friend of Moss by Bernard Tilanus. The tub number showed that it was the original monocoque from 76B/19, so it was reunited with its original chassis plate (which had been kept by Brian Raubenheimer) and fully rebuilt. It was later sold by Tilanus to the Scribante family. In early 2022, the Scribante family sold the 76B and their March 782 to Mark Charteris in the UK. He kept the 782 but sold the 76B to Paul Nightingale in Derbyshire. Restored by Nightingale and tested briefly at Anglesey. It was due to be run by Tim Gray in an HSCC race at Croft in August 2024 until the race was cancelled.

Current owner: Paul Nightingale (UK) 2024

March 76B 'the Mike Domingo car'

Mike Domingo in his March 76B at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Mike Domingo in his March 76B at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

A car built up by Mike Domingo at the start of 1977 using a monocoque that Ian Scheckter had damaged when testing 76B/1 after the race at Aldo Scribante in March 1976. Domingo's car is usually referred to as "76B/1 (A)" as it built around the first tub from 76B/1. It was raced by Mike Domingo through 1977, 1978 and 1979, still with its BDA engine. It was then rebuilt with a Mazda engine for 1980, but was damaged at Kyalami in January. The car was rebuilt, but the Domingos also acquired Alex Blignaut's 76B/19 which was built up for Roy Klomfass to drive. When Klomfass declined the drive, Mike Domingo moved to the ex-Blignaut car, leaving his original car redundant. The ex-Scheckter tub and associated spares were sold in mid-1980 to Vernon Bricknell as spares for the March 76B-1 he had just acquired from the DAW Supplies team. When Bricknell sold 76B-1 to the Pretoria Brick Racing Team in early 1981, the remains of the Domingo car remained with Bricknell until damaged when the building in which they were being stored collapsed. The tub was scrapped and the remaining parts sold to Trevor Trautmann for a sports car project. At this stage, the Domingo 76B had effectively ceased to exist.

Current owner: No longer exists

March 77B/3

Ian Scheckter in his first March 77B at Roy Hesketh in January 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Andy Barton in his ex-Ian Scheckter March 77B at Ingliston in August 1978. Copyright Iain Nicolson 2021. Used with permission.

New to Team Lexington for Ian Scheckter to race in the South African Formula Atlantic championship in 1977, and used to win the first three rounds of the series in January and February 1977. It was crashed heavily at Killarney in February and replaced with 77B-7. The damaged car was returned to March Engineering, repaired, and updated it to 772P specification for Andy Barton (Newcastle upon Tyne). He fitted a 2-litre Ford BDG and used it in libre racing in 1978. For 1979, he converted it to Formula Atlantic specification with a Swindon BDA engine and used it in the revived British championship. Retained for 1980 as a hire drive, usually for Cameron Binnie (Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland). Sold to Colin Richardson (Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland) and raced in Scottish libre in 1981, 1982 and 1983, using a 1600cc engine. Possibly borrowed back by Barton for a couple of races after his 782/792 was wrecked in April 1981. To Geoff Todd (Greenlaw, Scottish Borders), and raced at Ingliston again through 1984. Advertised by Todd in June 1984. Subsequent history unknown.

Current owner: unknown

March 77B/7

Ian Scheckter in the Lexington March 77B at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Ian Scheckter in his March 77B at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Ken Howes and Lexington Racing for Ian Scheckter to race in South African Formula Atlantic in 1977, replacing chassis 77B-3 that he had crashed heavily at Killarney in February. Scheckter won three races in the car, and it was also raced by Eddie Keizan at the Rhodesian Grand Prix in June. Retained by Lexington Racing for early 1978 and loaned to Dave Charlton for one race after Charlton abruptly lost the Lucky Strike sponsorship. In June 1978, Charlton returned the 77B to the March factory and it was sold to Martin Watson (Lowestoft, Suffolk), who raced it in the British Formula Atlantic series in 1979. Watson found the car far too stiff, and decided to go back to his GRD B72. He cannot recall what happened to the March. Subsequent history unknown.

Current owner: unknown

March 77B/8

Roy Klomfass in the Gunston March 77B at Roy Hesketh in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Dave Charlton in the old DAW March 77B at Kyalami in 1982. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Eddie Pinto and Team Gunston for Roy Klomfass to race in South African Formula Atlantic in 1977, using Swindon BDA engines. Retained by Team Gunston in 1978 for new driver Trevor van Rooyen. Retained again by Team Gunston for the 1978/79 season, when it was a spare car to Van Rooyen's new March 79B and was driven that season by Basil Van Rooyen at Kyalami in October 1978 (when Trevor was unwell), by Dave Charlton at Killarney later that month, and then by Trevor at two races. Later in 1979, it was raced twice by John Love. It was unused in 1980, then sold to Jeff Waberski after his DAW Supplies team's ex-Ian Scheckter March 78B was destroyed in a transporter fire. The 77B was fitted with a Mazda engine and raced by Bernard Tilanus for DAW Supplies from June 1981 onwards. It was raced by Dave Charlton for DAW around March/April 1982, then by Billy Maloney as a DAW entry later in 1982. Maloney crashed the car at some point, and acquired a March 782 to replace it in April 1983. The 77B was sold to Klaus Grogor's House of Sports Cars team for Grogor to drive in the 1983 season, and then retained by Grogor unused through 1984 and 1985. It was then sold to Gary Harrison who intended to convert it into a sports car for the 'Can-Am' series that absorbed Formula SA in 1986, but he only used in single seater form. The car was acquired by Dorino Treccani during the 1990s and sold to Andrew and Stuart Thompson in 2000. Still with Stuart Thompson in August 2024.

Current owner: Stuart Thompson (South Africa) 2024

March 77B/11

Rupert Keegan in his March 77B at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Ivano Moavero in Fred Goddard's March 77B at Kyalami in August 1986. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New for Rupert Keegan to race in the South African Formula Atlantic series in early 1977, run for him by the Doug Shierson team and entered as Team Uniewinkels. Then run by Martin Flint and Roger Taylor for John Gibb to race for the rest of 1977. Retained by Flint & Taylor's Team Uniewinkels for 1978, when it was driven by Roy Klomfass. Moved to Alex Blignaut's Team Texan for the start of the 1978/79 season, still with Klomfass driving, as a spare car to the team's new March 79B. The 77B was then sold to Dave Hart's Team Valvoline. Hart fitted it with a BMW engine for the new Formula South Africa in 1979, then converted to a Mazda engine for 1980. It was then sold to Brian Ferris, who raced it in 1981 and in early 1982 before his new Ralt RT4/82 arrived. The 77B may have been raced by Ferris's friend Klaus Grogor in the latter half of 1982. In January 1983, it was sold to Fred Goddard who ran it for several drivers as part of his Petromark team over the next two seasons, including Braam Smith, Roy Carr, Derek Irving and Danie Mulder. It was unused in 1985, then driven by Ivano Moavero in 1986. Then retained by Goddard who took it with him to the UK when he emigrated in 1989 to set up Fred Goddard Racing. After Fred's death in July 2007, the 77B passed to his son Earl Goddard, and he sold it to Nick Beer around 2013.

Current owner: unknown

March 77B/17

Bobby Scott in Andrew Thompson's Sportsman Lager March 77B at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Bobby Scott and John Gibb in their March 77Bs at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Andrew Thompson in South Africa, and raced by Bobby Scott in South Africa Formula Atlantic in 1977, with sponsorship from Sportsman Lager. Retained by Thompson and Scott for the 1978 season. After the end of that season, in June 1978, the car was damaged during a display exhibition at a shopping centre car park that had been converted into a mini race track for publicity purposes. Thompson built another 77B from spares (77B/'AT') for Scott to drive in the 1978/79 season, and the next time 77B/17 was seen was when it was hired to Tommy Dunne during that 1978/79 season but crashed at Welkom in June. The wreck was pushed to the back of Thompson's workshop and was not raced again. The salvaged tub and parts have remained in South Africa. Still with Andrew Thompson in August 2024,

Current owner: Andrew Thompson (South Africa) 2024

March 77B/18

Nols Nieman in Alex Blignaut's Benson & Hedges March 77B at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Wayne Taylor in the Rack-Rite March 77B at Kyalami in March 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Alex Blignaut for Nols Nieman to race in the South African Formula Atlantic series in early 1977, with Benson & Hedges sponsorship. Retained by Blignaut's Benson & Hedges team for Nieman again in 1978. Raced for Blignaut by Derek Bell in November 1978, then by Sarel van der Merwe in May 1979, after which it was given by Blignaut to Tony Martin's South Coast Motors team as a spare car. It was entered for Billy Scheepers in January, then rented to Roy Moss for the Goldfields race in February. Bernard Tilanus then borrowed it for the Killarney race in March after his DAW March 78B had been destroyed in a transporter fire. In July 1980, it was sold to Jeff Waberski's DAW Supplies team for Wayne Taylor to drive. Then in October 1980, it was sold on to Mel Lahner's Rackrite Racing. Taylor moved with the car, and raced it at Kyalami on 4 October and then in the first few months of the 1981 season. It was then taken over by Trevor van Rooyen who found the weight penalty on his ground-effect March 802 was too great. He raced the 77B for the rest of the 1981 season. It was retained for 1982, when Rackrite ran the car for Andre du Plessis and Mike Domingo. It was retained again for 1983, when driven by Gavin Lahner and Kevin Heath. It was not used again after that, but was retained by Mel Lahner until sold to Andrew Thompson in 1984. It was later restored for Ian Schofield. Still owned by Ian Schofield in August 2024.

Current owner: Ian Schofield (South Africa) 2024

March 77B/'AT'

Bobby Scott in Andrew Thomson's March 77B at Kyalami in October 1978. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Graham Duxbury in his March 77B at Kyalami in 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Built by Andrew Thompson in South Africa in 1978 using an unused monocoque that had been supplied as a spare for Ian Scheckter's March 77B/7. Thompson acquired the tub and all the other 77B spares from Ken Howes before 77B/7 was sold back to the UK. He built all these into a new car using the Hewland FT200 gearbox from the ex-Dave Charlton/Alex Blignaut March 76B/19. The resulting car was raced by Bobby Scott through the 1978/79 season, sponsored by Rembrandt through its Sportsman Lager and then Kronenbräu 1308 Lager brands. It was rented from Thompson by Graham Duxbury for a race in October 1979, still with its BDA engine, and then sold to Hagen Wulf and Ivor Raasch who fitted a Mazda engine for the 1980 season. It was also raced by Allan McDonald that season. It was then sold to Graham Duxbury who raced it very successfully in 1981. Retained for the first few races of 1982 until Duxbury's new March 82A arrived and then sold to Ivan Moavero who used it for the rest of that season. Sold to Steve Herbst for 1983, but in August he swapped it for Roy Moss's March 792. Raced by Moss until the end of 1984. He then sold it to Terry Moss, who was unrelated, for the 1985 season, but Moss crashed the car at Kyalami in April, destroying the front of the monocoque. Moss built up a March 782 using parts salvaged from the 77B, but the tub was scrapped. The 77B effectively ceased to exist at this point.

Current owner: Wrecked 1985

March 78B 'the Ian Scheckter car'

Ian Scheckter in the Lexington Racing March 78B at Kyalami's Rand Spring Trophy in 1978. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Clive Cooke in his March 78B/79B at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Ian Scheckter had a new Team Lexington March 78B for the start of the South African Formula Atlantic series. He retained the car for the 1978/79 season (October to May) and by December 1978 it had been updated with the same sidepods as the new March 79B. When Scheckter acquired a new F2-chassis 79A, the 78B/79B was sold to Clive Cooke, who raced it for the first time at Kyalami in January 1979. The car was due to be converted to a BMW engine for the Formula SA series, but Cooke did not appear. Sold to Jeff Waberski's DAW Supplies team in 1980, and fitted with a Mazda engine for Bernard Tilanus to drive. He won three of the first four races of the season, but while the March was being taken to Killarney for the Cape South Easter Trophy in March 1980, the transporter caught fire just outside Parys and exploded. The March was "completely destroyed" according to press reports, and the team's second car, a Wheatcroft R18 that was being towed on a trailer, was also badly damaged.

Current owner: Destroyed 1980

March 79A/27

Jan du Plessis in the Pretoria Brick March 79A at Kyalami in March 1981. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Roy Moss in his Camec March 79A at Kyalami in 1983. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Team Lexington for Ian Scheckter to drive in South African Formula Atlantic in 1979. The new "wing car" was delivered in time for Scheckter to race it in the Highveld 100 at Kyalami on 27 January, and he won five of his first six races in the car. It was fitted with a Fiat engine for the start of Formula SA but this was quickly replaced with a Mazda rotary engine, and Scheckter won the last four races of the season. The 79A was sold to Bokomo Racing for Tommy Dunne in 1980. It was then sold to Pieter Fouché's Pretoria Brick team, where it was raced by Jan du Plessis in 1981 and by Roy Carr in 1982. In mid-1982, Fouché reorganised the team to focus on a Ralt RT4/82 for Wayne Taylor, and the 79A was sold to Roy Moss. He raced it for the remainder of 1982 and through 1983, during which time he fitted a March 802 rollhoop. It was then sold to Steve Herbst who converted it to flat-bottomed specification by removing the sidepods. He also fitted side-mounted radiators and a March 802 nose. He ran it in this form in 1984 and 1985. The tub and bodywork were later exported by Gavin Hards to John Brannigan, but by the time they arrived the chassis plate was no longer with them. John's stock book from the time shows that he sold it all to Richard Parkin as a kit, but as the car Richard received had no chassis plate but a 1980 nose and 1980 rollhoop, he advertised it as an 80A. He remembers getting no interest in it and believes he may have sold it through the trade, perhaps to Roger Hurst. Subsequent history unknown.

Current owner: unknown

March 79B/1

Roy Klomfass in Alex Blignaut's Texan March 79B at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Alex Blignaut's Team Texan for Roy Klomfass to race in South African Formula Atlantic from October 1978 onwards. When the Formula SA rules were introduced in June 1979, it was fitted at first with a 2-litre BMW engine but this was not a success and it was quickly fitted with a Ford V6. At the end of the season, it is believed to have been sold with other South African Formula Atlantic cars to Ted Titmas (Van Nuys, CA). Chris Townsend reports that the car was sold to brothers Tom and Steve Shelton (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and is likely to be the car driven by Tom, as Steve had already owned chassis 79B-10 since the start of 1979. The two 79Bs were advertised together at the end of 1981, and the ex-Titmas car went to Ron Levanduski (Elmira, NY) who raced it for the next five seasons. Levanduski sold it to Joe Ostrowski (Trenton, NJ) in July 1987. Ostrowski sold the car at the end of 1989 when he bought a newer March 81A. Subsequent history unknown.

Current owner: unknown

March 79B 'the Team Gunston car'

Trevor van Rooyen in the Gunston March 79B at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Trevor van Rooyen in the Gunston March 79B at Kyalami in 1979. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Trevor van Rooyen raced a March 79B for Team Gunston from December 1978 onwards in South African Formula Atlantic. Gunston withdrew from racing when the new Formula SA rules came into force in June 1979 and the 79B is believed to have been sold with other South African Formula Atlantic cars to Ted Titmas (Van Nuys, CA). Chris Townsend reports that the car was sold to an owner in Texas. Subsequent history unknown.

Current owner: unknown

Modus M3 024-FA

Dave Charlton in his Modus M3 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2012. Used with permission.

Kevin Stopford in his Modus M3 at Kyalami in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Scribante Racing for Dave Charlton to race in South African Formula Atlantic in 1976, sponsored by the United Tobacco Company's Lucky Strike brand. Charlton acquired a new March 76B mid-season, and the Modus was taken over by Kevin Stopford for the rest of 1976. Retained by Stopford for 1977 and thought to have been wrecked that season. Components from this car were acquired by the Domingos to assist in the rebuild of their own Modus M3. The monocoque from Stopford's car has been repaired and was reportedly still in South Africa in 2019. Still in South Africa in August 2024.

Current owner: South Africa 2024

(See also Modus M3 car-by-car histories.)

Mike Domingo in his Modus M3 at Killarney in 1976. Copyright Johan Pretorius 2024. Used with permission.

John Simpson in his Modus M3 at Welkom in 1977. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Mike Domingo built up a Modus M3 for 1976 using what is believed to have been the first monocoque from Modus M3/022, which was replaced after an accident in July 1975. Raced by Mike Domingo in the South African Formula Atlantic series in 1976. Sold to John Simpson for 1977, but he crashed the car in practice at Welkom, his second event. The car returned to Team Domingo and was eventually repaired, apparently using a spare monocoque supplied to Dave Charlton in March 1976. It was raced by Yunus Domingo at least twice in 1979, and then by Jan Klinkert at Kyalami in May 1979. The car then remained with the Domingo family until 1995, when it was bought by Sam Thomas. Shortly afterwards, he sold it to to John McKercher. At this point it was found to have tub number 043-2-76, assumed to be a spare monocoque supplied to either Dave Charlton or Mike Domingo after their cars were built in 1976. Restored and used by McKercher in South African historic racing.

Current owner: John McKercher (South Africa) 2024

(See also Modus M3 car-by-car histories.)

Vern Schuppan in the works Palliser at Oulton Park in 1971. Copyright Alan Cox 2006. Used with permission.

Fred Goddard in the Palliser WDB4 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New for Vern Schuppan to drive as the Palliser Racing entry in the British Formula Atlantic series, built in April 1971. This new car was built on a quite different spaceframe chassis fabricated by Bert Ray, using bigger tubes and with a larger rollhoop. It was first driven by Hugh Dibley at Castle Combe in April but did not start. Then raced by Schuppan to win a libre race at Thruxton two weeks later, and then in Formula Atlantic, winning the 1971 Yellow Pages Championship. It was then sold to Dave Handford (Chingola, Zambia) in January 1972. It was later acquired by Fred Goddard in Zimbabwe, then called Rhodesia, and he raced it in the South African Formula Atlantic series in 1976, using a Broadspeed BDA engine. It was then sold to Ronnie Watt, and in 1980 it was fitted with a Mazda engine for Mike Wesson, whom Watt had been sponsoring in FV, to drive in Formula SA events. It was then retained by Watt until 2010, when he sold it to Ian Hebblethwaite. Stuart Thompson fully restored the car to 1971 specification for Hebblethwaite. Still owned by Hebblethwaite in August 2024.

Current owner: Ian Hebblethwaite (South Africa) 2024

Ralt RT1/75-10

Roy Klomfass in the Team Gunston Ralt RT1 at Killarney in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

John Connolly in his Ralt RT1/76 at Westwood in 1980. Copyright Brent Martin 2011. Used with permission.

New to Eddie Pinto's Team Gunston for Roy Klomfass at the end of 1975 and fitted with a Swindon BDA for the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic season. It was also fitted with a centre-post rear wing fabricated by GP Metalcraft, the only Ralt not to have an end-plate-supported rear wing. It was used through the 1976 season in South Africa, during which time it was extensively modified. In early 1977 it was sold "to a guy in Los Angeles". This must have been Kevin Cogan (Torrance, CA, in southwestern Los Angeles County), who raced his newer RT1/76-33 in 1977 but kept chassis 10 with its distinctive centre-post rear wing as a spare car for the first part of 1977. It was borrowed by Pierre Phillips at Mosport Park in May for Juan Cochésa to race after the Venezuelan crashed his intended car in practice. Then very probably the car acquired from Brian Robertson by John Connolly (Brooklyn, NY) and raced by him at Trois-Rivières in September. The car is thought to have remained with Connolly until advertised by him in early 1982, but he also had a newer RT1/78 and a Ralt RT4. After Connolly, the car may have gone to James Malapanis (Carlisle, MA) 1982-83 and then Richard Mullins (Hannover, PA) up to 1993. We would be keen to make contact with Malapanis or Mullins. [CT]

Current owner: unknown

(See also Ralt RT1/75 Formula Atlantic car-by-car histories.)

Richard Morgan in the Wheatcroft R18 at Brands Hatch in July 1975. Copyright Ted Walker 2019. Used with permission.

Steve Herbst in his March-nosed Wheatcroft R18 at Kyalami in 1982. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New for Wheatcroft Racing in June 1975, replacing chassis 001 which had been destroyed by Brian Henton while testing at Oulton Park in late May. Raced by Richard Morgan in British Formula Atlantic in Donington Park Collection livery. In August the car was converted to F2 spec and driven by Henton at the Silverstone F2 race, finishing third. Henton then drove it in Formula Atlantic for the rest of the season. Sold to Alex Blignaut for Nols Nieman to drive in the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic series as a spare car to his new chassis 003. Retained for 1977 and 1978, but apparently not raced over these two seasons. Sold to Steve Herbst in 1979, and converted to a Mazda engine for Formula SA. In early 1980, Herbst was involved in a collision with Peter Morrison in the sister R18. Herbst's car's tub was repaired by Mike Domingo, and Herbst continued to race it until mid-1982. In August 1982, it was sold to Trevor Trautmann, again for Formula SA, and in 1983 he had a new monocoque fabricated in South Africa for the car, the original tub apparently being discarded. He did not complete the rebuild and later sold the car's gearbox, suspension and uprights to Dorino Trocchani for a Tiga sports racing car project. The new tub and bodywork were sold off, but quickly located by Roger Pearce and sold to John Hatfield (Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal), who owned the sister R18-003. Hatfield built up a car on the new tub using parts from both 002 and 003, but using the 002 chassis plate. The resulting car was exported to the UK some time between 1987 and 1993, and in 1996 it was purchased from a dealer in Cheshire by Paul Gardener of Bolton. He noted that it still had the 002 chassis plate. In 2004, Simon Hadfield collected the Wheatcroft from Gardener and delivered it to Mondello for Martin Birrane. It remained in Birrane's collection until about 2016.

Current owner: Martin Birrane Collection (Ireland) 2016

(See also Wheatcroft R18 car-by-car histories.)

Nols Nieman in Alex Blignaut's Wheatcroft R18 at Kyalami in 1976. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

Bernard Tilanus in the DAW Wheatcroft R18 at Kyalami in 1978. Copyright David Pearson (motoprint.co.za) 2024. Used with permission.

New to Alex Blignaut for Nols Nieman to drive in the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic series, sponsored by Benson & Hedges. The team had the older R18/002 as a spare car. Retained for 1977, when it was also driven by Royce Love and Grant Maben. Retained again for 1978, when it was probably the car raced by Keith Zeeman for Blignaut's team. Sold to Jeff Waberski's DAW Supplies team for Bernard Tilanus to drive from October 1978 onwards. When the new Formula SA rules were introduced, the R18 was the first chassis to be fitted with a Mazda engine. Driven by Peter Morrison in early 1980, but Tilanus took over the car again after his newer March 78B was destroyed. Later in 1980, Tilanus swapped the car for Soon Weeks' March, and Weeks continued with the Wheatcroft in 1981. Weeks is believed to have had an accident in the car, after which he kept it until 1986 when he sold it to Dave Hart in Natal, complete with the same BMW M10 engine that Hart had used in his March 77B back in 1979. The car then passed to John Hatfield (Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal) who was looking for a Hewland FT200 for his Chevron B61 and an engine for a Chevron B8. Around 1990 Hatfield also acquired the remains of R18-002 from Trevor Trautmann (via Roger Pearce). Trautmann had had a new monocoque for the car fabricated locally in 1983. Hatfield then consolidated the remains of both cars into the new monocoque, fitted the chassis plate from 002 and restored it to rolling chassis condition. The subsequent history of the 003 monocoque and parts is unknown. It was last seen leaning against a wall at Hatfield's Status Cars workshop in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. However, in June 1993, Alan Goodman (Reading) drove a Wheatcroft R18, reportedly chassis 003, in a Historic F3 race at Thruxton.

Current owner: unknown

(See also Wheatcroft R18 car-by-car histories.)