came when it was "officially" a Honda RA301. I have always been a big fan of Lola and throughout their Grand Prix history (which is much more than the Mastercard fiasco), they have produced cars with various success. I find it highly ironic that the only time their cars won a Grand Prix was under the Honda banner. Why was it known as a "Honda". Honda wanted it that way? They still had a Japan flag on the car...
Ironic that Lola's only F1 victory...
Started by
Megatron
, Oct 18 2001 20:41
11 replies to this topic
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#2
Vitesse2
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Posted 18 October 2001 - 22:40
Lola have a long history of building cars for other people. The original Mk4 F1 Lola was commissioned by and built for the Yeoman Credit team.
The two "Hondola" models were the RA300 and RA301 (Lola T130 and T180), built at the urging of John Surtees when Honda accepted the shortcomings of the RA273 (too heavy and under-powered). The first car was based on a T90 USAC chassis, with a revised rear end but retaining the Lola suspension. Indeed, when Honda first decided to go F1 racing in 1962 they had acquired a Cooper chassis, which was used to test the first engine.
Other commissioned Lolas include the T370 for Graham Hill (there was also the T371, also known as the Hill GH1) and the T850, the production version of the Toleman TG280.
The two "Hondola" models were the RA300 and RA301 (Lola T130 and T180), built at the urging of John Surtees when Honda accepted the shortcomings of the RA273 (too heavy and under-powered). The first car was based on a T90 USAC chassis, with a revised rear end but retaining the Lola suspension. Indeed, when Honda first decided to go F1 racing in 1962 they had acquired a Cooper chassis, which was used to test the first engine.
Other commissioned Lolas include the T370 for Graham Hill (there was also the T371, also known as the Hill GH1) and the T850, the production version of the Toleman TG280.
#3
Roger Clark
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 05:50
Honda had as much right to put their name on the car as Mercedes do on today's engines.
I saw John Surtees score Lola's first Formula 1 win, on 11th June 1962.
I saw John Surtees score Lola's first Formula 1 win, on 11th June 1962.
#4
David J Jones
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 09:40
Roger
Was that race at Mallory Park?
I have not looked it up but I have a recollection of attending a race for the then F1 cars at Mallory and Surtees won it
Was that race at Mallory Park?
I have not looked it up but I have a recollection of attending a race for the then F1 cars at Mallory and Surtees won it
#5
Vitesse2
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 09:54
Yes David, it was that race: 2000 Guineas, June 11th 1962
Surtees won quite easily, leading all the way from Brabham's Lotus and Graham Hill's Rob Walker Lotus.
Most entries were privateers, although Clark was there in a works Lotus (he retired).
Surtees won quite easily, leading all the way from Brabham's Lotus and Graham Hill's Rob Walker Lotus.
Most entries were privateers, although Clark was there in a works Lotus (he retired).
#6
David McKinney
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 11:25
Wasn't it a libre race?
I know the 1963 edition, also won by a Lola, was
I know the 1963 edition, also won by a Lola, was
#7
Vitesse2
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 11:53
No, it was F1, but it was Whit Monday and there was also a race at Crystal Palace the same day, won by Innes Ireland in a UDT Lotus-BRM. Lotus split their resources and sent Taylor to the Palace, Bowmaker had Salvadori in another Lola and Cooper sent one car there for McLaren. BRM didn't race in either event.
It was also in a week between Monaco (June 3rd) and Belgium (June 17th). Must have been quite a rush! BTW, Surtees' car still had the short Monaco nose fitted.
It was also in a week between Monaco (June 3rd) and Belgium (June 17th). Must have been quite a rush! BTW, Surtees' car still had the short Monaco nose fitted.
#8
Keir
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 17:18
Chris Amon won a "libre" race in the 1963 Lola. I guess that would be a stretch to call it an F1 win??
#9
Roger Clark
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 17:25
Originally posted by Keir
Chris Amon won a "libre" race in the 1963 Lola. I guess that would be a stretch to call it an F1 win??
Particularly as it had a 2.5 litre engine!
I remember that the 1962 Mallory race created quite a lot of interest because of the prize money; 2,000 Guineaus was quite a lot by the standards of the time. Bowmaker also had Mike Parkes in a T56 Cooper at Malory as mentioned in an earlier thread.
#10
Bayou Bengal
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 17:26
Gurney won the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1967? in the Eagle. It was considered an F1 race but scored no points for the World Championship. There always seemed to be a non-championship event in those years. I guess it was a way to get a second F1 race in Great Britain.
#11
David McKinney
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 18:11
You're looking at it the wrong way round, BB.
Ever since F1 began in the 1940s there were perhaps 20 races each year. When the WDC was introduced in 1950 only the most important half-dozen or so counted. Gradually the numbr of counting races increased, and the number of non-championship races decreased, though the RoC was by no means the only one in 1967. Or 1968.
Ever since F1 began in the 1940s there were perhaps 20 races each year. When the WDC was introduced in 1950 only the most important half-dozen or so counted. Gradually the numbr of counting races increased, and the number of non-championship races decreased, though the RoC was by no means the only one in 1967. Or 1968.
#12
Marcor
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Posted 19 October 2001 - 23:25
Bob Anderson (Lola T4 BRGP 43 Climax) won The Roma GP at Vallelunga in 1963. It was a 2 x 128 km km race with mainly (only)privateers. Second was de Beaufort (Porsche old Fatty), thirs Ian Raby (Gilby BRM), fourth Lippi (de Tomaso Maserati) and fifth Starabba (Lotus Maserati). No great names and the rest were "obscure" Italian drivers (Campello, Bernabei, Natili, Peroglio, "Condor") and Swiss André Wicky, Tim Parnell and Bordeu (protégé of JM Fangio). The "famous" Lotus Borgward also called BKL did not qualify (or were NA). I admit It was not a great victory for Lola.
