1977 ShellSport British Group 8 Championship

Can anyone feed me with data about the 1977 ShellSport British Group 8 Championship? Starting with fairly basic information like race dates and venues, then of course results and maybe even entry lists and chassis numbers?

The first four races of the Championship were won by four different drivers.

Round 1: Mallory Park 1- Emilio de Villota (Lyncar)
Round 2: Snetterton 1- Guy Edwards (March)
Round 3: Oulton Park (Gold Cup) 1- Derek Bell (Penske)
Round 4: Brands Hatch 1- Valentino "Val" Musetti (March)

This championship mixed F1, F2, F5000 and Formula Atlantic cars.

Championship positions after those four races:
1- Musetti 42
2- Edwards 34
3- Bell 32
4- Holland 31
5- Allison 30
6- Villota, Belso, Trimmer 22
...

Other info soon.

After 7 races, nobody could say who would be champion. Only Tony Trimmer (Surtees)had won twice, the others winners were Musetti (March), Edwards (March), Bell (Penske), Rouff (Ralt)and Villota (Lycar).

Championship positions after round 7:
1- Musetti 73
2- Edwards 72
3- Trimmer 64
4- Holland 53
5- Allison 45
6- Rouff 42
7- Bell 32
8- Belso 29

The suspense continues.

Thank you, MarCoR! This is like Xmas, opening one parcel after the other...

In fact I've only opened my collection of Sport-Auto. The infos included were very brief.

I've not yet looked at Auto-Hebdo, Sport Moteur, L'Automobile and so on.

In my little research, I have not found a lot more. In the obituary column, I found the name of BRIAN MC GUIRE. He was killed during the practice of a race of the Shellsport British GR8 championship run at Brands Hatch in the end of August. His car was a MC GUIRE, in fact an ex Williams FW04 updated for 1977 as the MC GUIRE BM1. It was entered for the British GP when the Australian driver was hopelessly off the pace in practice and failed to prequalify. 14 drivers took part to this Prequalification session, and the best time was made by Gilles Villeneuve and Patrick Tambay. People like Villota, Purley (accident), Sutcliffe, Edwards, Trimmer, Mc Guire and Kozarowitzky were thus eliminated...

Brian Mc Guire had won a round of the Shellsport British GR8 championship at Thruxton.

He was 31 when he died. His crash also caused the death of a marshall. There's a thread about Brian Mc Guire in this forum.

I didn't have time to type up the full results the last time I posted this. But here they are now. There are no grid positions in Autocourse so I'll have to look them up in Motoring News. When I get the time!

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 1 - Mallory Park - 13/3/77 - 50 laps
1. Emilio Villota 3.0 Lyncar 006-Ford DFV, 43m 1.0s
2. Keith Holland 5.0 Lola T400-Chev, 43m 3.6
3. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 43m 19.8s
4. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 49 laps
5. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 48 laps
6. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 48 laps
7. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 48 laps
8. Andy Barton 2.0 Chevron B35-Ford BDA, 47 laps
9. Iain McLaren 2.0 Chevron B35-Ford BDX, 46 laps
Still running, not classified
Nick May 2.0 Sana RD9-Ford BDG, 43 laps
Derek Cook 2.0 Chevron B27-Ford BDG, 42 laps
Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 40 laps
FL Villota 48.4s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 2 – Snetterton – 27/3/77 – 40 laps
1. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 50m 56.4s
2. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 51m 26.3s
3. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 51m 26.8s
4. Keith Holland 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 51m 36.4s
5. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 39 laps
6. Tony Rouff 2.0 Sana RD9-Ford BDG, 38 laps
7. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 38 laps
8. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 38 laps
9. Jim Kelly 5.0 Kelly Trojan T101-Chev, 38 Laps
Still running, not classified
Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, ? laps
FL Edwards 1m 14.0s

SHELLSPORT GOLD CUP
Race 3 – Oulton Park – 8/4/77 – 50 laps
1. Derek Bell 3.0 Penske PC3-Ford DFV, 47m 44.0s
2. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B27-Chev, 48m 23.6s
3. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 49m 2.4s
4. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 49 laps
5. Iain McLaren 2.0 Chevro B35-Ford BDX, 49 laps
6. Kim Mather 2.0 March 742B-Ford BDA, 48 laps
7. Andy Barton 2.0 Chevron B35-Ford BDA, 48 laps
8. Herve Leguellec 2.0 March 762-Ford BDG, 47 laps
9. Jim Kelly 5.0 Kelly Trojan T101-Chev, 47 Laps
No other finishers
FL Bell 55.0s
Race stopped after 10 laps then restarted

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 4 – 11/4/77 – Brands Hatch Short Circuit – 60 laps
1. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 43m 41.4s
2. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B37-Chev, 43m 57.0s
3. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 59 laps
4. Derek Bell 3.0 Penske PC3-Ford DFV, 58 laps
5. Herve Leguellec 2.0 March 762-Ford BDG, 58 laps
6. Keith Holland 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 57 laps
7. Allan Kayes 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 56 laps
Still running, not classified
Don Gray, 5.0 Chevron B28-Chev, 55 laps
Philip Guerola 1.8 Wimhurst-Ford FVC, 51 laps
FL Trimmer & Musetti 42.4s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 5 – Mallory Park – 22/5/77 – 40 laps
1. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 28m 0.4s
2. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 28m 8.0s
3. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B37-Chev, 28m 39.8s
4. Keith Holland 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 39 laps
5. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 39 laps
6. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 38 laps
7. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 38 laps
8. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 38 laps
9. David Prophet 3.0 Surtees TS16/4-Ford DFV, 38 laps
10. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 37 laps
11. John Morrison 2.0 Lola T360-Ford BDG, 37 laps
12. Allan Kayes 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 37 laps
FL Trimmer 40.6s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 6 – Thruxton – 6/6/77 – 35 laps
1. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 48m 34.2s
2. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 49m 11.2s
3. Keith Holland 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 49m 12.0s
4. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 49m 41.2s
5. Derek Cook 3.0 Wolf Williams FW05-Ford DFV, 34 laps
6. Herve Leguellec 2.0 March 762-Ford BDG, 34 laps
7. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 34 laps
8. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B37-Chev, 33 laps
9. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 33 laps
10. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 33 laps
11. Philip Guerola 1.8 Wimhurst-Ford FVC, 31 laps
12. Evan Clements 3.4 Chevron B30-Ford GAA, 31 laps
Still running, not classified
Rob Moffat 1.6 March 74B-Ford BDA, 29 laps
FL Musetti 1m 12.6s

JAMES HUNT TROPHY RACE
Race 7 – Brands Hatch Short Circuit – 26/6/77 – 60 laps
1. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 43m 3.4s
2. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 43m 45.2s
3. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 58 laps
4. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 58 laps
5. Don Gray 5.0 Chevron B28-Chev, 57 laps
6. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 56 laps
7. Allan Kayes 5.0 Lola T400-Chev, 54 laps
Still running, not classified
Philip Guerola 1.8 Wimhurst-Ford FVC, 53 laps
FL Allison 42.0s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 8 – Oulton Park – 9/7/77 – 40 laps
1. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 37m 16.2s
2. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford GAA, 37m 21.2s
3. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 37m 46.6s
4. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 37m 46.8s
5. Brian McGuire 3.0 McGuire GM1/Williams FW04-Ford DFV, 39 laps
6. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 39 laps
Still running, not classified
Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 35 laps
Kevin Bowditch 1.6 Lyncar 005-Ford BDA, 35 laps
FL Trimmer 54.8s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 9 – Mallory Park – 24/7/77 – 50 laps
1. Emilio Villota 3.0 McLaren M23-Ford DFV, 35m 3.2s
2. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 35m 13.8s
3. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 35m 50.4s
4. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 49 laps
5. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 49 laps
6. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 49 laps
7. Kim Mather 2.0 Chevron B35-Ford BDA, 49 laps
8. Kevin Bowditch 1.6 Lyncar 005-Ford BDA, 45 laps
9. John Bowtell 1.6 March 74B-Ford BDA, 45 laps
Still running, not classified
Adrian Russell 2.0 Lola T460-Ford BDX, 41 laps
FL Villota 40.8s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 10 – Donington Park – 31/7/77 – 40 laps
1. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 44m 9.6s
2. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 44m 10.4s
3. Val Musetti 3.4 March 752-Ford GAA, 44m 46.2s
4. Derek Bell 3.0 Penske PC3-Ford DFV, 44m 50.6s
5. Tom Belso 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 44m 52.4s
6. Danny Sullivan 2.0 Boxer PR276-Hart 420R, 44m 54.0s
7. Dennis Leech 5.0 Chevron B28-Chev, 38 laps
8. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 37 laps
9. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 36 laps
Still running, not classified
Rob Moffat 1.6 March 74B-Ford BDA, 25 laps
FL Trimmer & Galica 1m 5.0s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 11 – Brands Hatch GP Circuit – 29/8/77 – 40 laps
1. Emilio Villota 3.0 McLaren M23-Ford DFV, 56m 27.6s
2. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 56m 28.6s
3. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 56m 45.4s
4. Keith Holland 5.0 McRae GM1-Chev, 56m 54.0s
5. Ray Mallock 2.0 Chevron B40-Ford BDG, 56m 54.8s
6. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 57m 17.8s
7. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 57m 21.0s
8. Greg Young 2.0 Chevron B40-Hart 420R, 57m 33.4s
9. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 39 laps
10. Wink Bancroft 2.0 Chevron B40-Hart 420R, 39 laps
11. Robin Smith 5.0 Lola T330-Chev, 39 laps
12. Adrian Russell 2.0 Lola T460-Ford BDX, 36 laps
FL Trimmer & Galica 1m 23.0s

RADIO 210 EUROPEAN TROPHY
Race 12 – Thruxton – 11/9/77 – 35 laps
1. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford DFV, 43m 14.5s
2. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B37-Chev, 43m 16.1s
3. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 43m 27.2s
4. Wink Bancroft 2.0 Chevron B40-Hart 420R, 44m 29.6s
5. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 34 laps
6. Dennis Leech 5.0 Chevron B28-Chev, 33 laps
7. Adrian Russell 2.0 Lola T460-Ford BDX, 33 laps
Still running, not classified
John Tait 1.9 Brabham BT36-Ford FVC, 28 laps
Jim Kelly 5.0 Kelly Trojan T101-Chev, 21 Laps
FL Trimmer 1m 12.0s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 13 – Snetterton – 2/10/77 – 40 laps
1. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 40m 14.2s
2. Damien Magee 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 39 laps
3. Emilio Villota 3.0 McLaren M23-Ford DFV, 39 laps
4. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 39 laps
5. Tony Rouff 2.0 Ralt RT1- Ford BDG, 38 laps
6. Alo Lawler 2.0 Lola T462-Ford BDX, 38 laps
7. Adrian Russell 2.0 Lola T460-Ford BDX, 37 laps
Still running, not classified
Mike Wilds 3.4 Chevron B30-Ford GAA, 35 laps
John Tait 1.9 Brabham BT36-Ford FVC, 31 laps
Jim Ravenscroft 2.0 Surtees TS15-Ford BDA, 30 laps
FL Trimmer & Edwards 59.2s

SHELLSPORT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 14 – Brands Hatch GP Circuit – 16/10/77 – 40 laps
1. Guy Edwards 3.4 March 75A-Ford DFV, 55m 43.0s
2. Tony Trimmer 3.0 Surtees-TS19-Ford DFV, 55m 43.2s
3. Brian Henton 3.0 Penske PC3-Ford DFV, 56m 11.7s
4. Bruce Allison 5.0 Chevron B37-Chev, 57m 8.2s
5. Norman Dickson 2.0 March 772-BMW, 39 laps
6. Divinia Galica 3.0 Surtees TS19-Ford DFV, 39 laps
7. Mike Wilds 3.4 Chevron B30-Ford GAA, 38 laps
8. Damien Magee 5.0 Lola T332C-Chev, 38 laps
9. Kim Mather 2.0 Chevron B35-Ford BDA, 36 laps
10. Adrian Russell 2.0 Lola T460-Ford BDX, 36 laps
Still running, not classified
Jim Ravenscroft 2.0 Surtees TS15-Ford BDA, 35 laps
Keith Holland 5.0 McRae GM1-Chev, 32 laps
FL Trimmer 1m 22.1s

Final Championship Points
1. Tony Trimmer, GB 181
2. Guy Edwards, GB 129
3. Val Musetti, I 85
4. Tony Rouff, USA 80
5. Emilio Villota, E 76
6. Divinia Galica, GB 74
7. Bruce Allison, AUS 72
8. Keith Holland, GB 63
9. Norman Dickson, GB 52
10. Tom Belso, DK 45
11. Alo Lawler, IRL 41
12. Robin Smith, GB 21
13. Damien Magee, GB 18
14. Herve Leguellec, F 17
15. Kim Mather, GB 12
Brian Henton 12


[p][Edited by Milan Fistonic on 11-07-2000]

Originally posted by Milan Fistonic
Full results are in Autocourse 1977-78 page 234

Milan,

That will not stop me from thanking you!
Anyway, let me extend these thanks for your extremelly useful contributions. I think you already deserve the "Junior" to be taken out of your title!!

Regards,

Felix

Totally agree with Felix here, many thanks! But now I think I need to find a copy of that old Autocourse...

Thanks for the kind words Michael and Felix. I've saved you the trouble of finding the old Autocourse by adding the extra info to my previous post.

A warm thank you from cold Germany, Milan!

One question, though: Why does Derek Bell not show up in the final championship standings (he should be 11th, with 42 points)? Because he was a graded driver? Or did Autocourse just slip up here?

Michael

This is what Autocourse has to say about Bell.

Derek Bell struggled with the Hexagon Penske Pc3, most notably at Mallory Park, where the scrutineers then ruled the car out and Bell ended the season with a points "score" of minus 6! Right at the end of the year Henton took a third place with the difficult Penske.

I think Bruce Allison's car at round 3 might be wrong. It's in the Autocourse results as a Chevron B27 but all his other results refer to a B37.

Ah, well that's funny! So they docked him more points than he had scored? That would make for a 48 points penalty, sounds odd to me...

I've just found the seasonal survey in Autosport and it has this to say about Bell.

Derek Bell did five of the races with the Hexagon of Highgate Penske PC3 F1 car, and won with it first time out at Oulton Park. At Mallory in July, he finished third, but was disqualified by the Stewards in an absurd equivalent of the infamous Stephen South F3 incident. During the warm-up lap, Alo Lawler had run over Bell's nosecone, bending the frame, and in post-race scrutineering it was found to be fractionally too high on one side. Derek was disqualified from the race results and forfeited the statutory number of championship points. Madness.....

A footnote to the points table says this about Bell's minus 48 points at Mallory - Ineligibility penalty of 20 per cent of maximum possible points total.