Formula South Africa 1979

The new rules were introduced in June, coming into effect for the race at Welkom on 2 June. Only eight cars were entered, and just seven took part in the race. Only two of these were using local engines, a Ford V6 in an old March 722 for Bobby Scott and a BMW in Dave Hart's March 77B, so these were the only cars to receive championship points. The BDA-powered cars were much quicker, but were only being allowed one more race. That race, the following weekend at Port Elizabeth's Aldo Scribante circuit, was cancelled after the organisers phoned around and discovered that only three cars were ready to run with new engines.

When the new cars did finally assemble, at Kyalami five weeks later, Ken Howes had fitted a Fiat engine to the March 792 of serial champion Ian Scheckter. Eddie Pinto had installed a BMW engine in the Team Gunston March 79B for Trevor van Rooyen, and Tony Martin's Lucky Strike-backed South Coast team had opted for a Ford V6 in a new "wing car" designed by Ken Gillibrand. Andrew Thompson had developed the Ford V6 in Scott's March 722 and Bernard Tilanus had a Mazda in his Wheatcroft R18; both had been at the opening race.

After the impressive performance of Scott and Tilanus, Scheckter quickly changed to a Mazda and van Rooyen to a Ford V6. Scheckter then won the last four races of the season to take another championship.

The races

02 Jun 1979 > Welkom

07 Jul 1979 > Rand Winter Trophy at Kyalami

04 Aug 1979 > Welkom

01 Sep 1979 > Natal Spring Trophy at Roy Hesketh

06 Oct 1979 > Rand Spring Trophy at Kyalami

27 Oct 1979 > False Bay "100" at Killarney

1979 Formula South Africa Championship table

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Next: the 1980 season