13 replies to this topic

[HistoryFan]

Hello!

I wonder about the nationality of Sonny Rajah. Some says he is Malaysian, others said he is Singapore, and others he's Indonesian. What's right.

And what's bout the career of him. Did someone have a complete list of race wins of him?

[Vitesse2]

Malaysian.

[HistoryFan]

Sure?

I know that he won the Malaysian Grand Prix in 1972. What race was that? 1973 it was a Formula Pacific race, but also 1972?

[David McKinney]

Most southeast Asian races at that time were either formule libre or for two-valve 1600s. Formula Pacific wouldn't evolve for many more years yet

[Terry Walker]

Sonny Rajah is still around and has a fleet of historic racing cars including Ronnie Petersen's F2 March. he's associated with the W A Racing Museum. www.warm.org.au will get you there, then chose Associates to see the collection.

Don't forget to browse the rest of the site!

[HistoryFan]

Now, that's all I know about Malaysian Sonny Rajah, perhaps you can add some results of him or another informations:

1) He wanted to buy RAM with an Australia consortium in 1985 (look at the "almost team takeovers thread)
2) He won the Tasman race 1972 in Sha Alam (Malaysia GP) in front of Ken Smith (LOtus, but I don't know the team/entrant) and Vern Shuppan (March, don't know the team). For which team did Rajah drive? He was the second Malaysian driver to win his home GP (and the last) : In 1969 Tony Maw won in an Elfin Ford.
3) He drove an March 712M Ford in the Australian Formula Two. Best result was a third place in Symmons Plains behind Bob Muir (don't know the team, Birrana Ford) and Ray Winter (don't know the team, Mildren Ford). For which team did Rajah drive?
4) Rajah drove an Ralt Ford in the South-east Asian Formula Pacific in 1981. He was third in the Malaysian GP, behind Graeme Lawrence (don't know the team, March Ford) and Andrew Miedecke (don't know the team, March Ford).
5) he bought a lot of cars, like a Formula Two March from Ronnie Peterson, or a Lotus 69, which was driven by James Hunt.
6) He was third at the Macau GP, which is now a famous Formula Three race, in 1972, behind John MacDonald from Hongkong (don't know the team, Brabham Ford) and Max Stewart (don't know the team, Dolfin Ford). Rajah himself drove an March. One year later he was second, behind MacDonald.

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by HistoryFan
2) He won the Tasman race 1972 in Sha Alam (Malaysia GP)

[HistoryFan]

Sorry, I mean Formula Libre...

[Giraffe]

Sonny Rajah talking to Sid Taylor and Kenny Smith at Hampton Downs on Sunday. Sonny told me that he has recently purchased a Lotus 23 and hopes to race it in European historics this year!

[SJ Lambert]

Does any one have Tony Maw’s contact details? The author of a new Elfin book is trying to track him down?

[MarkBisset]

 

Sonny Rajah was a very popular entrant in all 8 rounds of the 1974 Australian F2 Championship, best place third at Symmons Plains. These  shots by Bryan Henderson are at Amaroo Park.

 

The car is the ex-Peterson March 712M-7 with 732 body, powered by a Ford-Hart 416-B twin-cam 

 

Edited by MarkBisset, 31 October 2020 - 23:21.

[Michael Ferner]

 

The car is the ex-Peterson March 712M-7 with 732 body, powered by a Ford-Hart 416-B twin-cam...

 

 

... with perhaps a tad bit of an oiling problem?

[ensign14]

How good was he?  The records suggest he was at the sharp end at Macau et al, but not a deep talent pool.

 

Can't help but think that with his Zapata moustache and south-east Asian background, he would have been a big plus for the right sponsor.

[Giraffe]

How good was he?  The records suggest he was at the sharp end at Macau et al, but not a deep talent pool.

 

Can't help but think that with his Zapata moustache and south-east Asian background, he would have been a big plus for the right sponsor.

All I can tell you is that he was/is enormous fun & excellent company!