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Central Division SCCA Formula B 1970

Another huge Formula B field in Central Division was dominated by Brabham BT29s, six of the top eight drivers using the model. Of the 20 cars that scored points, only three weren't Brabhams: Dan Murphy's year-old Winkelmann, Ken Nielson's Merlyn and Larry Wright's Chevron B15.

Some serious drivers led the division. Chicago's Michael Hall won the title comfortably and would move to 2-litre sports car racing for 1971. Evan Noyes continued his education by doing the full 'pro' season in 1970 as well and would move into F5000 in 1971. Murphy chose yet another direction by building his own FB car in 1971 and then move into Indy racing with another car of his own design three years later.

Final standings

1. Mike HallBrabham BT29Chicago51 pts 
2. Evan NoyesBrabham BT29Indianapolis36 pts†
3. Dan MurphyWinkelmann WDB2Milwaukee33 pts†
4. Chet FreemanBrabham (BT29)Ohio Valley31 pts†
5. Robert NunemacherBrabham BT29Detroit22 pts†
6. John MarshallBrabham BT21CNEOhio21 pts 
7. Carl LiebichBrabham BT29Milwaukee19 pts†
8. Steve HarrisBrabham BT29Fort Wayne18 pts 
9. Ken KlosterBrabham BT21BNW Ohio16 pts†
10. Quin CalhounBrabham BT21CChicago10 pts 
11. Kenneth NeilsenMerlynDetroit10 pts 
12. Larry WrightChevron B15Indianapolis7 pts 
13. William MarshBrabham BT29Indianapolis6 pts 
14. Thomas C. JonesBrabham (BT16)NEOhio6 pts†
15. "Bud" JacksonBrabham BT21CIowa6 pts 
16. John AngusBrabham BT29Blackhawk Valley5 pts†
17. John R BabchekBrabham BT21BDetroit4 pts 
18. Dale LangBrabham BT29Land O'Lakes3 pts 
19. Thomas AbbottBrabham BT18Detroit2 pts 
20. Peter W NyeBrabham BT18NW Ohio1 pt   

† Indicates total includes points earned out of home division.

1970 Schedule

17 May 1970Michigan International SpeedwayNortheast Michigan/
Saginaw Regions
31 May 1970BrainerdLand O'Lakes Region
21 Jun 1970Road AmericaChicago Region
28 Jun 1970Wisconsin State Fair ParkMilwaukee Region
12 Jul 1970Blackhawk FarmsIndiana NW Region
26 Jul 1970Mid-OhioCincinnati Region
09 Aug 1970Grattan RacewayWestern Michigan Region
23 Aug 1970Blackhawk FarmsBlackhawk Valley Region
13 Sep 1970Mid-OhioNEOhio Region
20 Sep 1970Grattan RacewayDetroit Region
04 Oct 1970Indianapolis Raceway ParkIndianapolis Region

Central Division sources

Most of our knowledge of CenDiv racing comes from the SCCA's Sports Car magazine and from Competition Press & Autoweek. We are very keen to acquire, borrow or receive copies of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s SCCA regional publications from this Division. There were many such newsletters in this Division, including:

  • Auto-Graph (Indiana Northwest Region)
  • Backfire (Western Michigan Region)
  • Blower (Northeast Ohio Region)
  • Class Q and later CinChronizer (Cincinnati Region)
  • Clutch Chatter (Indianapolis Region)
  • Clutch Chatter (Northwestern Ohio Region)
  • Crashbox (Golden Triangle Region)
  • Down Shift (Central Illinois Region)
  • Downshift (Kentucky Region)
  • The Drift (Milwaukee Region)
  • Drifting (Des Moines Valley Region)
  • The Fifth Wheel (Northeastern Michigan Region)
  • The Four Wheel Drift (Fort Wayne Region)
  • Iowa Regional News (Iowa Region)
  • Newsletter (Central Kentucky Region)
  • Ohio Valley Regional News and Observers Stand (Ohio Valley Region)
  • Open Exhaust (Detroit Region)
  • Piston Patter (Chicago Region)
  • Pit Board (South Bend Region)
  • The Pit Stop (Southern Indiana Region)
  • The Racket (Tennessee Valley Region)
  • Recaps (Eastern Tennessee Region)
  • Rev Record (Western Ohio Region)
  • S.I.R. SCCA Newsletter (Southern Indiana Region)
  • Smoke Signals (Blackhawk Valley Region)
  • The Tonneau (Land O'Lakes Region)

Also relevant are some non-SCCA publications, notably that of the Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs (MCSCC), based in the Chicago area:

  • Klaxon (Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs)

We are also keen to get scans of entry lists from SCCA Nationals in this Division.