Brabham BT30 car-by-car histories
Peter Westbury in his Brabham BT30 at at the Nurburgring for the Preis von Deutschland in August 1970. Copyright Udo Klinkel 2023. Used with permission.
The Formula 2 Brabham BT30 was part of a new set of designs for 1969, including the BT28 for F3 and the BT29 for FB. It sold well but suffered from delivery problems so the same design was carried over into 1970.
The first two cars to be delivered in Europe were for Kurt Ahrens and Peter Westbury, and it was not until early June that the next two cars appeared for Frank Williams Racing Cars. Mick Mooney also bought a pair of BT30s, but there were no other European deliveries in 1969. The BT30s were delivered too late for the car to prove an effective opponent to the Matra MS7 and Lotus 59B in 1969.
The design was retained for the 1970 season with the only major changes being required for new regulations on fuel tanks. This time the BT30s were ready for the start of the season, with a pair of cars for Rodney Bloor's Sports Motors; two for Automovil Club Argentina; two for Alistair Walker Racing; one each for single-car teams John Coombs Racing, Tom Wheatcroft, Bob Gerard Ecurie Ecosse, Scuderia Jolly Club, Eifelland Wohnwagenbau, and Team Obrist; a second car for Peter Westbury; plus privateers John Watson and Enzo Corti. With these extra numbers, the BT30 proved the most effective car on offer in 1970, edging out - at least in terms of points scored - the Lotus 69, Tecno and March 702 customer options and even the factory BMW F270. Like many Brabhams, the BT30s proved hugely popular in junior formulae, especially in UK libre and hillclimbs, and several of the cars were still racing regularly in 1974.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
Sold new to Kurt Ahrens (Braunschweig, Germany) and raced in European F2. Sold to Montan Racing Team for 1970 and raced by Werner Lindermann but destroyed by fire prior to the Hockenheim round.
Driven by: Kurt Ahrens and Werner "Noddy" Lindermann. First race: Thruxton (R1), 7 Apr 1969. Total of 9 recorded races.
This chassis number is not mentioned in any contemporary F2 report so it is likely to be the car supplied to Mitsubishi. In an article titled "Mitsubishi in F2" in Motoring News 28 May 1970 it was reported that "The Mitsubishi which Tetsu Ikuzawa drove in the Japanese race was actually a Brabham BT30 which had been specially supplied to Japan". This is a reference to the JAF GP on 3 May 1970 where Ikuzawa drove one of two Mitsubishi Colt F2Ds in the race. Nothing more known.
Tom Lee's Brabham BT30 in October 2014. Copyright Jeremy Hall 2015. Used with permission.
New to Peter Westbury and used for a full season of European F2 in 1969, winning at Neubiberg in October. Sold to John Wingfield (London NW11) and used in libre and in selected F2 events in 1970 and 1971. In August 1971, Wingfield acquired a new BT36 and the BT30, still with its Felday-tuned FVA engine, was sold to Jim Charnock (Liverpool) for Formule Libre, starting at Rufforth in early September. Charnock won five races in the closing weeks of the 1971 season, then won three more in 1972, when he was a regular runner at Aintree. He continued with the car in 1973, when he competed at Aintree and in the BRDC Jaybrand Racewear Formule Libre series, and in 1974 and 1975 when he was mainly seen at Aintree. The car is then unknown until it was advertised by dealer Brian Classic (Bucklow Hill, Cheshire) as "chassis number 3" in June 1984. Sold to Chris Mann (UK) 1985 and then sold via Frank Sytner to Ray Delaney (Melbourne, Australia) in 1987. Raced by Delaney in east coast Australian historic events the next six years at Calder Raceway (Vic), Sandown Park (Vic), Oran Park (NSW), Amaroo Park (NSW), Winton Raceway (Vic) and the support races at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide (SA) in 1988 and 1989. Sold to Dick James in 1993. To Mike Carmody 2003 and sold by him to Tom Lee (Puyallup, WA) October 2005. Restored for 2007 to its original livery. Raced by Lee in the Portland Historic Races July 2012. Still owned by Lee in February 2023.
Driven by: Peter Westbury, John Wingfield, Alistair Walker and Jim Charnock. First race: Thruxton (R1), 7 Apr 1969. Total of 56 recorded races.
Sold to Frank Williams Racing Cars and entered for Malcolm Guthrie in two F2 races at Zolder and Monza in June 1969, and for Derek Bell at Vallelunga at the end of the season. Next seen in June 1970 when entered by Scuderia Jolly Club for Giancarlo Gagliardi but now given as chassis BT30-7 instead of BT30-4. This apparent change of number may be the result f the car's frame number, 'AM69-7', being used as its chassis number after it moved to Italy. For Silvio Moser at Bogotá early 1971 and at Mallory Park in March; then entered by Scuderia Ala d'Oro for several drivers in the first half of the season. When the team's other two BT30s were written off, the team bought new March 712Ms, and the last time this remaining BT30 was seen was at Monza in June 1971, where Gimax failed to qualify. A car with chassis number BT30-7 with Fabio Montani (Italy) in 1997. This car was imported to the US by Dave Irwin (Colorado) in 1998 and restored. Then via Barry Marquart (Kansas) 1999, Peter McLaughlin (Hannover, NH) 2005, James King (Belleville, IL) 2006 and Richard Scott (Ohio) 2007 to Brad Baker (Oshawa, Ontario) in 2009. Still owned by Baker in March 2024.
Driven by: Malcolm Guthrie, Derek Bell, Giancarlo Gagliardi, Silvio Moser, Gian-Luigi Picchi, Vittorio Brambilla, Ernesto "Tino" Brambilla and Carlo Franchi ("Gimax"). First race: Zolder, 8 Jun 1969. Total of 13 recorded races.
Sold to Frank Williams Racing Cars and entered for Piers Courage and Richard Attwood in F2 in 1969. Then sold to Albert Poon (Hong Kong) and raced by him at the Macau GP in November 1969. Retained by Poon for South East Asian racing in 1970, 1971 and 1972. Reported to have been scrapped.
Driven by: Piers Courage, Richard Attwood, Albert Poon and Kevin Bartlett. First race: Zolder, 8 Jun 1969. Total of 14 recorded races.
Chris Farrell's restored BT30-6. Copyright David Piggott 2007. Used with permission.
Bought by Mick Mooney's Irish Racing Cars for Alan Rollinson to race in F2 in 1969. Retained for 1970 but raced only at Phoenix Park as it still had 1969-style aluminium fuel tanks which weren't allowed in 1970. Raced at Bogotá early 1971 when Rollinson won the second race. Then to John Smith (Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland) for Irish 1600cc racing, winning first time out at Mondello Park in April 1971. To Ken Walker (Harrogate, North Yorkshire) for 1972 and raced in northern English libre racing. Advertised by Adrian Bethall of Northern Racing Spares (Sheffield, South Yorkshire) in January 1973. Subsequent history unknown. At some point in the early 1980s, a BT30 was reputedly sold by dealer Jon Blackburn to Otford Group's Jim Wallis (Edenbridge, Kent) who restored it and raced it in HSCC events from 1982 to 1985. Its HSCC papers issued in 1984 identify it as BT30-6. It then passed via Bobby Howlings to Tony Thompson in 1986 but he did not like the car and had sold it to Australian Chris Farrell by 1987. Retained in Farrell's collection for many years. Fully restored in 2006 and raced in Tasman Revival events. Raced by Farrell in the 2012 Tasman Revival. Raced by Farrell at the HSRCA Summer Festival at Sydney Motorsport Park on 11-12 November 2017. Sold to Noel and Andrew Robson (Melbourne) in mid-2018. Raced by Andrew Robson at Winton in August 2019.
Driven by: Alan Rollinson, John Smith, Ken Walker and Peter Kaye. First race: Silverstone (UK R5), 15 Jun 1969. Total of 40 recorded races.
Andrew Fellowes in his Brabham BT30 at Oulton Park in May 1986. Copyright Ted Walker 2019. Used with permission.
Bought by Mick Mooney's Irish Racing Cars for Tommy Reid (Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland) in Irish racing late 1969, winning four of the five races it started, and also in a single F2 race at Vallelunga. Retained for 1970 and 1971 but fitted with a 1.8-litre Cosworth FVC. Then via Bobby Howlings (Manchester) and Bob Vincent (Bryn, Wigan), possibly Rodney Bloor (Manchester) 1977 and Robin Darlington (Ruabon, Wales) 1977 to Tom Elton (Westbury, Wiltshire) 1978 but unused through this period. To Mike Remnant (Redruth, Cornwall) and used in sprints and hillclimbs in southwest England. Then via Bob Wilson (Glasgow, Scotland) 1981 - Jonathan Bradburn (Wolverhampton, West Midlands) c1984 - Simon Hadfield (Shepshed, Leicestershire) - Andrew Fellowes (Ramsey, Cambridgeshire) 1986 and used in HSCC racing. Later to George Nuse (Norcross, Georgia) 1990 - Jordan Harris (Malibu, California) 1992 - Peter McLaughlin (Hanover, New Hampshire) 2007 - Sean Whelan (Somerton Park, SA, Australia) 2012. Still with Whelan in July 2013.
Driven by: Tommy Reid and Mike Remnant. First race: Phoenix Park, 13 Sep 1969. Total of 39 recorded races.
The Ecurie Monaco Brabham BT30 at Rouen in 1971. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
Sold new to Rodney Bloor's Sports Motors (Manchester) Ltd and run for François Mazet in F2 in 1970. Raced also by Gerry Birrell once at the end of the season. Then to Monegasque Lionel Noghès and raced under the Écurie Monaco banner in F2 in 1971. Last mentioned in June 1972 when the gearbox was stolen from the car while it was in storage at Lenham Hurst (Folkestone, Kent). Subsequent history unknown. The Noghès family are closely connected to the ruling family of Monaco and it is possible that the car has remained in the principality as part of The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III.
Driven by: François Mazet, Gerry Birrell and Lionel Noghès. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 17 recorded races.
Tim Schenken's Brabham BT30-10 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
Sold new to Rodney Bloor's Sports Motors (Manchester) Ltd and run for Tim Schenken in F2 in 1970. Raced also by Gerry Birrell once at Hockenheim. Sold to Ian Bannen and entered by him for Cyd Williams to drive in a few F2 races at the start of 1971 but sold mid 1971 to Bill Creasy (Dunstable, Bedfordshire), fitted with a Broadspeed twin cam and used in Libre and Formula Atlantic races, mainly at Silverstone. Raced again briefly by Creasy at the start of 1973 then sold to David Howes in part-exchange for a Mustang. Next seen with Simon Riley (Edmonton, North London) and hill-climbed in 1973, when it was reported as having a FVA engine again, and in early 1974. Subsequent history unknown but a car claiming this identity was bought from Manchester dealer Bob Fernley by William Southern (Blackpool) some time in the 1970s. Southern kept the car until selling it to dealer John Brannigan in the mid/late 1980s. To Jim Gathercole (Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire) 1989, and raced in Historic F2. Restored and sold to Nicolas Moreau de Melen (Belgium) 2007. To Bernd and Michael Quitzow (Germany) 2009. With Christian Klainguti by 2011. Raced by Klainguti at the Arosa hill climb in September 2011 and again in September 2014.
Driven by: Tim Schenken, Gerry Birrell, Cyd Williams, Bill Creasey and Simon Riley. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 22 recorded races.
John Watson in his Formula 2 Brabham BT30/36 at Brands Hatch in August 1971. Copyright Peter Knights 2021. Used with permission.
Sold to John Watson (Craigavad, County Down, Northern Ireland) for F2 in 1970, replacing a Lola T100 that Watson had used with great success in Irish libre. Retained for F2 in 1971, during which time it was partly updated to BT36 specification. To Bob Howlings (Congleton, Cheshire) for libre 1972 and fitted with a 1800cc Cosworth FVC mid-season. Sold to Tony Dean (Leeds, West Yorkshire) in August so he would have a car for the Rothmans 50,000. To Phillip Guerola (Bickley, Kent) 1973 and raced in libre until the end of 1976. Advertised ("ex-Watson") as a rolling chassis from an Aylesbury number in January 1978 and bought by Barrie Dutnall (Medway, Kent) in 1979 or 1980 but not used. Advertised by Dutnall as a rolling chassis in June 1981. Said to have been owned by Jon Bradburn, David Rishworth (Leamington, Warwickshire) and Kelvin Lambeth before bought by David McLaughlin in or before 2003. To David Brown (Ashford, Kent) 2003. To Ian Gray (Mansfield, Nottinghamshire) 2004. Offered for sale by Gray on racecarsdirect.com in October 2013. Raced by Max Blees (Aachen, Germany) in Historic F2 from 2014 to 2019. Still with Blees in May 2021.
Driven by: John Watson, Bobby Howlings, Tony Dean and Philip Guerola. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 72 recorded races.
Neil Glover in Brabham BT30-12 at Brands Hatch in May 2006. Copyright John Turner 2006. Used with permission.
Autosport identifies BT30-12 as Reid's F2 car in 1971 implying BT30-8 was his FVC libre car. As BT30-8 is advertised by Bobby Howlings in late 1971, it is reasonable to assume that it was BT30-12 that Reid retained for the early part of 1972, still FVA-powered. That car goes to Nelson Todd in July 1972 and according to David McKinney was then John Pollock's 1973 car, Harold McGarrity's 1974 car, and then the BT30 of Paddy Heron (Draperstown, County Londonderry) from 1975 to 1977. This would be the BT30 rolling chassis advertised from a Draperstown phone number in Autosport in June 1978. Sold some time after by Manchester dealer Bobby Howlings to Chris Charlett in Trinidad, later returning to the UK via Howlings again, presuably in a trade for the BT40 that Charlett later raced. The BT30 next appeared in 1986 when it and a BT18 were bought in Staffordshire by Mike Freeman (Staunton, Gloucestershire). Subsequently sold by Freeman to Roger Murray (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria) in 1990 and raced by son James on a few occasions. Sold to Neil Glover (Ansty, West Sussex) by 2004 and then to Michael Scott in 2006. On display at Race Retro in February 2013. For sale with Cheshire Classic Cars from June 2013; still on their site in September 2015.
Driven by: Tommy Reid, Alan Rollinson, Nelson Todd, John Pollock, Harold McGarrity and Paddy Heron. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 54 recorded races.
Graham Birrell's Brabham BT30-14 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
Bob Ilich in his newly-restored Brabham BT30 in 2018. Copyright Chris Gray 2018. Used with permission.
Sold new to Ecurie Ecosse and run for Graham Birrell in F2 in 1970. Also raced once by Peter Gethin and by Richard Attwood later in the season. To Peter Westbury early 1971 and raced in several F2 races (also raced once by Dieter Quester) until the team's BT36 was delivered. Sold to Dunnett's Garage, converted to F/Atlantic specification and entered for Ronnie Mackay in libre and F/Atlantic in 1971 and 1972, run by MRE. To Chong Boon Seng for south east Asian racing in 1973 and used by him until 1976. Then to Del Schloemer and raced by him and by Cherie Schloemer in 1977 and 1978. To Wybe Valkema around 1980 and retained to 1982. Then to Australia and with Brian Wilson by 1988. Wilson sold it to Art Valdez (Torrance, CA) and from Valdez it returned to Australia when he sold it to Bob Ilich (Perth, WA) in 2010. Ilich restored the car over the next seven years, and it was reported to be complete in August 2018.
Driven by: Graham Birrell, Peter Gethin, Richard Attwood, Peter Westbury, Dieter Quester, Ronnie Mackay, Brendan McInerney, Chong Boon Seng, Del Schloemmer and Cherie Schloemmer. First race: Ingliston, 12 Apr 1970. Total of 42 recorded races.
Henri Pescarolo's Brabham BT30-15 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
John Cottrill in his Brabham BT30 at HSCC Silverstone in October 2023. Copyright John Brown 2023. Used with permission.
Sold new 1970 to Bob Gerard and used in European F2 by Henri Pescarolo and Peter Gaydon. Retained 1971, and run in the early part of the season in F2 for Brian Hart. However, financial constraints forced Gerard to cut back and he then ran the car in Atlantic for his mechanic, Bob Salisbury. Replaced as the team's main car by a BT35 late in the 1971 season but retained and continued to appear on occasion. Sold to Martin Webb (Solihull, West Midlands) in 1972 for Libre races. Raced extensively in 1972, but then not seen at all in 1973. Advertised by Webb in March 1974 and then presumably the "ex-Pescarolo" BT30 advertised by Bobby Howlings in 1975 and 1976. Sold to David Ward in early 1977 and fitted with a Hart BDA for libre racing, sharing with Stan Billington. Then to novice racer John Travis (Tarleton, Lancashire) who raced it in libre in 1978 and 1979, like Ward calling it a BT35. Traded back to Bobby Howlings for a March 742 for 1980. By early 1985, this ex-Travis, ex-Howlings car was with Marcus King and raced in in HSCC events, but by that time its identity was not known. It was then believed to have been recently owned by Graham Galliers, and Galliers had advertised a BT30 from a Shrewsbury number in September 1982. Subsequent history unknown but a car with this chassis number restored by Bob Salisbury in 2003 for owner Richard Kendle. This car with David Brown (Ashford, Kent) by 2007. Raced in the Derek Bell Trophy race at Silverstone 18 October 2014. Still with David in April 2015. Bought in 2017 by John Cottrill (Upton Snodsbury, Worcestershire) and raced very occasionally in HSCC F2.
Driven by: Peter Gaydon, Henri Pescarolo, Brian Hart, Bob Salisbury, Martin Webb, David Ward, Stan Billington and John Travis. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 46 recorded races.
New to Tom Wheatcroft and entered for Derek Bell to race in F2 in 1970. To Jeremy Richardson and raced in F2 and libre during 1971. Then to Alex Seldon (Ripley, Surrey) and raced in libre through 1972 and 1973. Advertised by Seldon in February 1974 and next owner unknown but the FVA was removed and the car stored in a dry barn until 1984 when Ted Walker bought it via John Harper. Sold to Lincoln Small in 1986 and used for many years in historic racing. Raced by Lincoln at Silverstone in June 2018 and in July 2019.
Driven by: Derek Bell, Jeremy Richardson and Alex Seldon. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 30 recorded races.
Jack Brabham's John Coombs Brabham BT30-17 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
New to John Coombs Racing and entered for Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham in F2 in 1970. Fitted with a Cosworth FVC for Stewart to win the 1970 JAF GP. To Mike Goth September 1970 for three late-season F2 races. To Silvio Moser (Lugano, Switzerland) for F2 in 1971 up to Rouen in late June, after which Moser had a BT36. The next stages of this car's life are unknown but a 1996 Coys auction catalogue said that it had been used in hillclimbs until bought by the then current owner in 1976. The car was sold after the auction to Jay Galpin and then on to Bob Baker. Restored in Stewart's livery and raced by Bob Baker at Lime Rock in September 1999 and at the SVRA Sprint Vintage Grand Prix at the Mid Ohio in 2004. Also raced by Bob's son Danny Baker at Road America in July 2005 and at Barber Motorsports Park in April 2006.
Driven by: Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham, Jo Bonnier, Mike Goth and Silvio Moser. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 13 recorded races.
Carlos Reutemann's Brabham BT30-18 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
New to Automovil Club Argentina for Carlos Reutemann to race in F2 in 1970 and 1971. Last seen at Rouen June 1971, after which it was replaced by a BT36. It was then sent to Argentina to be used as a race school car but the details of its life remain unknown. Found and acquired by Richard Vignoles (Argentina) in 2008. To Carlos Lioni (Argentina) 2009. Later sold to Jorge Ferioli.
Driven by: Carlos Reutemann. First race: Hockenheim (R2), 12 Apr 1970. Total of 23 recorded races.
Benedicto Caldarella's Brabham BT30-19 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
New to Automovil Club Argentina for Benedicto Caldarella to race in F2 in 1970 but also raced once by Reutemann. Retained for Carlos Ruesch in 1971. Last seen at Rouen June 1971, after which it was replaced by a BT36. It was then sent to Argentina to be used as a race school car but the details of its life remain unknown. On display in the Automovil Club Argentino Museum in 2008. Still on display in March 2019.
Driven by: Benedicto Caldarella, Carlos Reutemann and Carlos Ruesch. First race: Montjuich Park (R3), 26 Apr 1970. Total of 7 recorded races.
Michael Baudouin's Brabham BT30-20 in historic racing in 1993. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
New to Alistair Walker Racing and entered for Robin Widdows in F2 in 1970. Also driven by Walker later in the season, and by Richard Scott at Phoenix Park in September. Then sold to Kevin Murphy and used in Irish hillclimbs and at Mondello Park raced by Frank Keane (Mt Merrion, Dublin, Ireland). Retained by Murphy's Irish Racing Team for 1971 and raced by Brian Cullen in F2 and in libre events in Ireland and Scotland. Retained again for 1972 when it was loaned to Patsy McGarrity for a few races, only for him to hit a skip at Phoenix Park. Sold to Bill Gowdy (Banbridge, County Down, N. Ireland), rebuilt, and raced in Irish libre in 1973. Converted to F/Atlantic specification for the 1974 season and then sold less engine to a racing car dealer in the south of England, maybe MRE, in exchange for two BDA engines. Subsequent history unknown. Unlikely to be the "ex-Walker" BT30 advertised from Witney, Oxfordshire in March 1976 as that still had its FVA. The car raced by Marcus King in HSCC events in 1985 has been said to be BT30/20, but is now believed to be BT30/15. Also a car with the number BT30/20 observed with Michael Baudouin (France) in 1993.
Driven by: Robin Widdows, Alistair Walker, Richard Scott, Frank Keane, Brian Cullen, Brian Nelson, Patsy McGarrity and Bill Gowdy. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 35 recorded races.
Entered by Scuderia Picchio Rosso for Enzo Corti in F2 in the first few races of 1970, then reappeared in June, entered by either North Italian Racing or Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Tino Brambilla for the rest of the season. Returned in 1971, still entered by Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Tino Brambilla but raced once by Vittorio Brambilla at Pau in April and crashed. The car was reported to have been written off, and Sandro Angeleri's Ala d'Oro team bought replacement March 712Ms.
Driven by: Enzo Corti, Ernesto "Tino" Brambilla and Vittorio Brambilla. First race: Montjuich Park (R3), 26 Apr 1970. Total of 12 recorded races.
Andrea de Adamich's Brabham BT30-22 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
Entered by Scuderia Jolly Club for Andrea De Adamich and Pino Pica in F2 in early 1970, then entered by either North Italian Racing or Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Vittorio Brambilla for the rest of the season. Retained for 1971 and entered by Scuderia Ala d'Oro for Vittorio Brambilla until the Nürburgring in early May when Brambilla crashed heavily. The car was reported to have been written off, and Sandro Angeleri's Ala d'Oro team bought replacement March 712Ms. In 1991, this car was reported to be on display at the Monza Museum. Nothing more known.
Driven by: Pino Pica, Andrea de Adamich and Vittorio Brambilla. First race: Crystal Palace (R4), 25 May 1970. Total of 13 recorded races.
To FIRST Racing for Peter Westbury to drive in F2 in 1970. Retained very briefly at the start of the 1971 season and then sold to Japan. This is presumably the car fitted with a Mitsubishi Colt R39B engine and raced by Hiroshi Kazato in 1971, by Hiroshi Fushida in 1972 and by Kiyoshi Misaki at the Singapore GP in 1973 but as yet this is only speculation. Nothing more known.
Driven by: Peter Westbury. First race: Thruxton (R1), 30 Mar 1970. Total of 18 recorded races.
Jean-Pierre Jaussaud's Brabham BT30-24 at Rouen in 1970. Copyright Gerard Barathieu. Used with permission.
To Team Obrist and run by Motor Racing Enterprises in F2 in 1970 for Howden Ganley, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Richard Scott. Retained for 1971 and entered by Team Obrist for Jürg Dubler in F2 and also in some French and Swiss hillclimbs. Presumably the car driven by Albert Obrist at Lorentzweiler in April 1972. Then to Michel Pignard (Rillieux, France) for French hillclimbs in 1972 and early 1973 before being replaced with a 1971 Pygmée MDB16. Sold to Daniel Gache (Avignon, France) and advertised by him in December 1973. Gache recalls that he sold it to someone in the 'area of Lyon' and he believed that Gérard Gamand later bought the car from that same man. To Gamand (France) 1985 and retained to at least 1990. With Gerard Cerny (France) in 1994. Then unknown until raced by Laurent Fort (France) in 2009 and 2010. Sold to Ian Rimmer (Pavenham, Bedfordshire) in 2011 and restored by Peter Denty Racing. Sold by Rimmer in 2013 to Ray Stubber (Australia) who ran the car in a few HSCC Historic F2 and Derek Bell Trophy races between 2013 and 2015. Offered for sale in England in October 2015.
Driven by: Howden Ganley, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, Richard Scott, Jürg Dubler, Albert Obrist and Michel Pignard. First race: Zolder, 24 May 1970. Total of 50 recorded races.
Simon Langman's BT30-25 at Brands Hatch Superprix May 2006. Copyright John Turner 2006. Used with permission.
To Eifelland Wohnwagenbau (Mayen, Germany) for Rolf Stommelen to race in F2 in 1970. Driven later in the season by Hermann Unold and Willi Deutsch. Retained for early 1971 and raced by Stommelen and Hans-Joachim Stuck. To Hansruedi Wittwer (Diepoldsau, Switzerland) and raced in German, Swiss, French and Italian hillclimbs in 1972 and 1973. Wittwer then acquired a newer BT40, and the BT30 was sold to Janos Kiss (Lustenau, Austria), and raced in hillclimbs around central Europe between 1974 and 1977, mainly in Austria and Germany. The car was eventually put into storage, remaining there until 2002 when the container was vandalised. Sold to Rolf Gomeringer (Meßstetten, Germany), offered for sale by Coys at Essen 2002 and bought after the sale by Steve Worrad (Whitchurch, Shropshire). To Simon Langman (Worthing, West Sussex) 2005, and raced in the HSCC Classic Racing Car Championship from 2006 to 2008. Raced by Langman at Silverstone in July 2019.
Driven by: Rolf Stommelen, Hermann Unold, Wilhelm "Willi" Deutsch, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Hans Wittwer and Janos Kiss. First race: Nürburgring, 3 May 1970. Total of 33 recorded races.
To Alistair Walker Racing for Walker himself to race in F2 in 1970 and the first part of 1971. Sold to Tommy Reid in Ireland but not used by him and with dealer Bobby Howlings (Congleton, Cheshire) by July 1971. Used by Howlings in libre from July to September 1971 and then to George Dudley (Witney, Oxfordshire) and appeared at two libre races, the last in May 1972, but did not start either race. Dudley has not been found in any results after 1972 with this car but it must surely be the "ex-Alistair Walker" BT30 with 1600cc FVA advertised from Witney, Oxfordshire in March 1976. Later owners of BT30/26 have traced it back to 1978, when Peter Robinson (Studley, Warwickshire) was running it in hillclimbs. Robinson had acquired it with a FVA but it dropped a valve so he replaced it with a BDA. He retired it at the end of 1979 and transferred the engine into the BT29X which he then ran until he retired. The engineless BT30 was bought for Julian Majzub (Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire) by his father at the end of 1979 and was later joined by the BT29X to acquire parts that belonged to the BT30. Still with Julian in January 2019.
Driven by: Alistair Walker, Bobby Howlings, George Dudley and Peter Robinson. First race: Crystal Palace (R4), 25 May 1970. Total of 27 recorded races.
Bruce Hamilton's ex-John Harvey Brabham BT30/BT36 at the Watkins Glen Vintage GP in 2011. Copyright Geoff Cotton 2018. Used with permission.
Built for Bob Jane to BT36 specification intended for the new Jane 2-litre engine and shipped to Australia in April 1971. Due to delays with the engine, the car was finally built up with a 2-litre Waggott TC/4V engine and FT200 gearbox, and was debuted at the Australian Grand Prix meeting in November 1971 where it was driven by John Harvey. Replaced in 1972 by the team's new Bowin-based F5000 car, and sold to Denis Lupton who converted it to ANF2 specification for Ian Cook to drive. The car was wrecked in the accident which killed Cook at Sandown in June 1973, and was rebuilt by Lupton on a new chassis fabricated by Bob Britton. Later said to be owned by Peter Whelan and then with Peter Johnson (Sydney, NSW, Australia) by 2006. Offered by sale by Johnson in August 2009 when said to be undergoing full restoration with a Waggott engine. With Bruce Hamilton of (Monkton, MD) in 2010. Raced by Hamilton at the US Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen Sep 2013.
Driven by: John Harvey, Denis Lupton and Ian Cook. First race: Warwick Farm, 21 Nov 1971. Total of 5 recorded races.
Brabham BT30s in 1970
After eight cars had been built for 1969, a further 19 were built for 1970 with a slightly revised specification, the main change being the new FIA requirement for bag tanks to replace the beautifully crafted aluminium tanks on the 1969 cars. Six of those eight 1969 cars had appeared in F2 during 1970, the two others being BT30/2, which was only used in hillclimbs, and BT30/7 which is unknown. Of the six, only BT30/1, BT30/3 and BT30/4 (or 7) appeared in F2 again in 1970 so must have been converted to the new specification. Of the other three, BT30/5 was sold to south-east Asia and the two Irish Racing Cars BT30s were only used in Irish racing.
Brabham BT30s in 1971
Of the 26 BT30s that had been built in 1969 and 1970, 21 appeared in F2 in 1970: three of the 1969 cars and 18 of the 19 1970 cars. At the start of the 1971 season, BT30/1 had been destroyed by fire, BT30/2 was missing but believed to be in Japan, BT30/3 was still running in F2 in England, BT30/4 was still in F2 in Italy, BT30/5 was running in Asian libre, BT30/6 was running in Irish libre, BT30/7 was missing, BT30/8 was running in Irish libre, BT30/9 was running in F2 in Monaco, BT30/10 was still running in F2 in England, BT30/11 was still running in F2 based in Ireland, BT30/12 was in F2 spec but mostly being used in Irish libre, BT30/14 was running in F/Atlantic in England, BT30/15 was still running in F2 based in England, BT30/16 was still running in F2 based in England, BT30/17 was still running in F2 based in Italy, BT30/18 and BT30/19 were still running in F2, BT30/20 was racing in Ireland, BT30/21 and BT30/22 were both still running in F2 based in Italy but BT30/21 was written off during the season and BT30/22 was crashed heavily, BT30/23 was about to go to Japan, BT30/24 was still running in F2 based in Switzerland, BT30/25 was still running in F2 based in Germany, BT30/26 was still running in F2 based in England, and BT30/27 was in Australia.
The only mystery car in 1970 was the car raced by Hiroshi Kazato in Japan. Logically, this must be the ex-Westbury BT30/23.
At the Japanese Grand Prix on 3 May 1971, Hiroshi Kazato raced a Brabham BT30 fitted with a Mitsubishi Colt R39B 2-litre 4-cylinder engine. The identity of the BT30 has not been determined. Two years later, at the Singapore Grand Prix on 22 Apr 1973, Kiyoshi Misaki raced the "ex-Kazato" Brabham now powered by a Toyota Celica twin-cam engine, and was a regular entry in Southeast Asian events through 1973 and 1974, up to Macau in November 1974. Misaki appeared at Macau in 1975 in what was described as a BT40, but could well be the same car. He then raced a BT36 at events in Japan in 1976 and 1977, and it is again possible that this BT36 was his old BT30. Subsequent history unknown.
Driven by: Hiroshi Kazato, Hiroshi Fushida and Kiyoshi Misaki. First race: Fuji, 3 May 1971. Total of 8 recorded races.
Brabham BT30s in 1972
With BT30/1 and BT30/21 having been destroyed, 24 BT30s were extant in 1972. Of the known cars, BT30/3 was running in libre in northern England, BT30/5 was still running in Asian libre, BT30/6 was running in English libre, BT30/8 was passing through the trade in England, BT30/9 was in storage in England, BT30/10 was running in F/Atlantic in England, BT30/11 was running in libre in England, BT30/12 was still running in Irish libre, BT30/14 was running in F/Atlantic in England, BT30/15 was running in libre in England, BT30/16 was running in libre in England, BT30/18 and BT30/19 had gone to Argentina, BT30/20 was still in Ireland, BT30/23 had gone to Japan, BT30/24 was hillclimbing in France, BT30/25 was hillclimbing in Switzerland, BT30/26 appeared once at a libre race in May and then went missing, and BT30/27 was in Australia.
Of the unknown cars, BT30/2 was thought to be in Japan, BT30/4 had last been seen in Italy, and BT30/7 was still missing. Newly missing were BT30/17 which had last been seen in Switzerland in mid-1971, BT30/22 last seen when crashed by Brambilla in May 1971 .
Brabham BT30s in 1973
At the start of the 1973 season, 23 BT30s were still in existence with BT30/1 having been destroyed in 1970, BT30/21 in 1971, and BT30/5 reportedly scrapped in south-east Asia. Of the known cars, most were in the British Isles: BT30/3 was running in libre in northern England, BT30/8 still passing through the trade in England, BT30/10 hillclimbing in northern England, BT30/11 running in libre in England, BT30/12 running in Irish libre, BT30/15 was still with Martin Webb, BT30/16 was running in libre in England, and BT30/20 was still in Ireland. The cars now overseas were BT30/14 in south-east Asia, BT30/18 and BT30/19 in Argentina, BT30/23 in Japan, BT30/24 in France, BT30/25 in Switzerland, and BT30/27 in Australia.
A number of cars were already on the missing list: BT30/2 thought to be in Japan, BT30/4 had last been seen in Italy in 1971, BT30/7 had been missing throughout, BT30/17 had been last seen in Switzerland in mid-1971, and BT30/22 had last been seen when crashed by Brambilla in May 1971. Joining them on that list were BT30/6, BT30/9 and BT30/26 which had last been seen in England in 1972: BT30/6 running in libre in September, BT30/9 in storage in Kent in June, and BT30/26 running in libre in May.
The first mystery cars appear in the UK in 1973: Tony Street's sprint/hillclimb car, John Skellern's libre car and John Hardesty's libre car. John Skellern's car could well be Martin Webb's BT30/15, which could then have returned to Webb at the end of 1973 when Skellern bought Webb's newer Chevron B25. Tony Street's car, as it spent all its known life in the Midlands, could well be BT30/6 which was next seen with a Wolverhampton dealer about 1981. That leaves John Hardesty's as a complete puzzle.
Tony Street (Wellesbourne, Warwickshire) raced a Brabham BT30 in sprints and hillclimbs in 1973. The origins of the car are currently unknown but Malcolm Orme recalls that the car he and Bob Penzer used in speed events between 1976 and 1978 had previously been driven by Street. Penzer had bought the car from John Hinley (Knowle, Warwickshire) so this would be the BT30 that John Hinley ran at Curborough in 1974 and advertised in May 1974 with a 1930cc BDA. It is also likely that this was the 2-litre "BT30/35" used at Curborough in June 1975 by Tony Sofiano (Harborne, Birmingham) and John Parsons, managers of The Elbow Room nightclub in Aston. Parsons advertised this car with a 1920cc BDG and mentioning BT35 fuel tanks in October 1975. The last known appearance of this car was when driven by Bob Penzer in a sprint at Oulton Park in April 1978. Penzer later sold the Brabham back to Hinley in a deal on the Lola T332C that Penzer drove in 1979. Subsequent history unknown.
Driven by: Tony Street, John Hinley, John Parsons, Tony Sofiano, Malcolm Orme and Bob Penzer. First race: Curborough, 20 May 1973. Total of 22 recorded races.
John Skellern (Worcester), a motor cycle racer, drove a Brabham BT30 in libre racing in 1973. It was reported to be 1600cc, but this could be either the car's original Cosworth FVA or a new BDA, and was maroon. Nothing more known.
Driven by: John Skellern. First race: Silverstone, 1 Jul 1973. Only one recorded race.
The ex-Feltham Glassworks Brabham BT30, as bought by Peter Bull in 1974. Copyright Peter Bull 2016. Used with permission.
In early 1973, Chris Choat wrecked John Hardesty's Brabham BT23C in a libre race at Silverstone and Hardesty returned to the London dealer that had sold him the BT23C and bought a newer BT30. The identity of the dealer and the previous history of the BT30 have not yet been determined. Hardesty, who entered his cars in the name of his family company, Feltham Glassworks, and Choat shared the car in libre racing from September to December 1973 but then traded it to MRE (Racing Services) Ltd (Bourne End, Buckinghamshire) for a Brabham BT36. Advertised by MRE in March 1974 "complete with rebuilt FVA and FT200" and sold to Peter Bull (London). Bull did not buy the FVA, but had the car fitted with a Holbay twin cam engine. Bull appeared at a number of sprints between April 1974 and mid-1975 when he sold it to a prestige car showroom in Wimbledon. This is probably the car advertised by Road & Track Ltd as a "ready to race" BT30 with Holbay twin cam, from Hounslow in west London in January 1977. This may be the same car that was advertised by Richard Colton (Wellingborough, Northamtonshire) of Steel King Ltd in July 1978 and then March 1979 with "new unused steel Holbay works 1600 twin cam" engine, in "immaculate works colours". However, this car had smaller wheels that Bull's so the Holbay may be a coincidence. Subsequent history unknown.
Driven by: John Hardesty, Chris Choat and Peter Bull. First race: Silverstone, 27 Aug 1973. Total of 13 recorded races.
Brabham BT30s in 1974
Of the cars still in the British Isles at the start of the 1974 season: BT30/3 was running in libre in northern England, BT30/8 was still passing through the trade in England, BT30/10 was still hillclimbing in northern England, BT30/11 was still running in libre in England, BT30/12 was still running in Irish libre, and BT30/20 was running in F/Atlantic in Ireland. Martin Webb's BT30/15 and Alex Seldon's BT30/16 had last been advertised in March and February 1974 respectively. The other cars last seen in England were BT30/6, BT30/9 and BT30/26 last seen in 1972, two of which are represented by John Hinley's sprint car and the ex-John Hardesty car which moves to Peter Bull for 1974. Hinley's can be traced through the next few seasons, but both Martin Webb's BT30/15 and Alex Seldon's BT30/16 are missing after the early months of 1974.
One new English mystery car appeared: Peter Vincent's in Surrey. The likely origins for his car are Seldon's BT30/16 or Webb's BT30/15, but BT30/9 is also a possibility.
Peter Vincent (Loxwood/Byfleet, Surrey) raced a maroon Brabham BT30 with 1600cc Racing Services BDA engine in F/Atlantic and libre between July and November 1974. He described the car in a June 1975 advert as having BT36 suspension. The origins of the car are unknown but it worth noting that when Alex Seldon had advertised his ex-Derek Bell BT30 from nearby Ripley in February that year, he had also described it as being updated to BT36 specification. Nothing more known.
Driven by: Peter Vincent and Donald Vincent. First race: Silverstone (R5), 28 Jul 1974. Total of 6 recorded races.
Brabham BT30s from 1975
A number of BT30s dropped out of sight during 1974 and only four were still active in the British Isles in 1975: Jim Charnock was racing BT30/3 in libre in the English northwest; Phillip Guerola was racing BT30/11 in the English southeast; Paddy Heron was racing a BT30 in Ireland that was probably BT30/12; and an unidentified BT30 was being raced by Tony Sofiano and John Parsons in the Midlands.
At least seven more BT30s were in Britain but not appearing in race results: BT30/6 had been missing since January 1973 when it was in Sheffield; BT30/8 was very probably still with Bob Vincent also in the English northwest; BT30/9 had last been reported in storage in Kent in 1972; BT30/10 had last been seen with Simon Riley in Manchester in 1974; BT30/15 had last been seen with Martin Webb in the Midlands in early 1974; BT30/16 had last been seen with Alex Seldon in the southeast in early 1974; BT30/20 had last been seen with Bill Gowdy in Northern Ireland; and BT30/26 had not been seen since 1972 but may have still been with George Dudley in Oxfordshire. Additionally, the unidentified ex-John Hardesty/Peter Bull BT30 was being advertised from a London number during 1975; and Peter Vincent was advertising his unidentified BT30 from Surrey.
Louis Kolly drove a Brabham BT30 in the 1300cc Group 8 class in French hillclimbs from early 1977 until July 1979. His engine was described as a Cosworth Ford, so presumably a Cosworth BDH. After a 12-month absence, he reappeared with a 1600cc Chevron B35. Nothing more known.
Driven by: Louis Kolly. First race: Thorens, 24 Apr 1977. Total of 30 recorded races.
Chris Seaman's mystery Brabham at Harewood in 1981. Copyright Steve Wilkinson. Used with permission.
At the end of 1977, Jim Johnstone bought a Brabham BT30 from David Winstanley (Crewe, Cheshire) of Lodge Corner Agencies. The car came without history or chassis plate so its origins remain unknown. Johnstone hillclimbed the car with FVA engine in 1978 and 1979, taking numerous 1600cc class wins and even qualifying for the Top 10 Runoffs on a couple of occasions. He sold it to Chris Seaman (Sheffield, South Yorkshire) who raced it from 1980 onwards. Retained by Seaman for many years but at Shelsley Walsh in 2005 it appeared in the hands of Jon Waggitt (York). This car has no chassis plate but appears to be a genuine BT30 chassis carrying Arch Motors number AM 70 112R. Raced by Jon's wife Bronwen Waggitt at Harewood in 2006, at Shelsley Walsh in 2007, at Harewood in 2008 and at Harewood again in 2009. Then unknown until raced by Tim Saunders at Harewood in September 2012 when it still had Bronwen Waggitt's name on the side.
Driven by: Jimmy Johnstone and Chris Seaman. First race: Harewood (R4), 14 May 1978. Total of 16 recorded races.
Jolyon Harrison with his Brabham BT30 in 2011. Copyright Jolyon Harrison 2011. Used with permission.
In 2006 Josef 'Sepp' Mayer (Heitersheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) bought a car from Italy using the identity of "BT30-21" but with a 1972 BT35 chassis. He sold it to Bob Sellix (Rotherfield, East Sussex) around 2007 who sold it on to Jolyon Harrison (York) who was still running it in hillclimbs in 2014. The connection between this BT35 and the original BT30 is unknown. Still with Jolyon in January 2017.
In addition to the above, unknown Brabham BT30s were driven by Osamu Masuko, Weissenbach, Jun'ichirou Kasuya, Jason Ho, P Savage and Maccotta.
The dark ages of the Brabham BT30s
After the BT30s faded from libre racing and hillclimbing in the latter half of the 1970s, they entered a period where the ownership of a number of BT30s is clouded in mystery, only for them to reappear in the mid-1980s when the HSCC's Pre-71 series began. Documented histories were needed for the purposes of HSCC HVIFs, and these were quickly put together with confidence. With the benefit of hindsight, it is possible that some of those cars were not actually identified correctly, but those identities have now been broadly accepted for so long that it may prove difficult to unpick them. The Jimmy Johnstone car appears to be a genuine BT30, but for it to be correct, one of the others must be wrong.
Some of the missing links can be spotted in Autosport adverts during these dark ages, such as a BT30 rolling chassis on 10-inch and 14-inch wheels advertised by Richard Simms (Ossett, West Yorkshire) for £550 in July 1978.
The Brabham BT29X and Brabham BT30X
To avoid any confusion, it is worth mentioning the Brabham BT29X here, a car that was described as a BT30 for some of its life. It was run in hillclimbs and sprints by Tony Griffiths, Spencer Elton and David Render from 1970 to 1977 and was then unknown until acquired by Peter Robinson late in 1979. Also relevant are the two BT30Xs: the Climax-engined and later Buick-engined BT30X/1 which was run by Mike MacDowel, Bob Jennings, David Fyfe, Alex Brown, Murray McGrath and Alistair Beaumont between 1969 and 1973; and the FVA-engined and later Ford twin-cam-engined BT30X/2 which was run by Roger Hickman, Nigel Wooddisse, Brian Pickering, Tony Lambert and Doug Pound before its destruction in 1974. When BT30X/1 reappeared, with Barrie Dutnall in Kent in 1979, it still had its Buick engine so is very unlikely to be one of the mid-1970s 1600cc mystery BT30s listed above.
Acknowledgements
These histories were originally constructed by Andrew Fellowes with the extensive assistance of Bryan Miller, David McKinney, Allen Brown, Ian Henderson, Chris Townsend, Ted Walker, Jeremy Jackson, Steve Wilkinson, Philippe Demeyer, James Murray, John Turner, Dan Rear, Milan Fistonic and others, from information collected and discussed on a Brabham BT30 thread in the 10 Tenths Chassis Archive.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
These histories last updated on .