18 replies to this topic

[Puntataco]

One question came up during a chat with friend last night. We know Emerson Fittipaldi went 1969 from Brazil to UK to race in F-Ford, he also raced in British F-3 with Jim Russell for few races before debuting for Lotus in F-1 in Summer 0f 1970, with the Lotus 49C.

Does anyone know the results of the races that Emerson raced in UK in 1969 and 1970?

[alansart]

Formula 3 1969

13.7.69 Mallory Park - 5th
3.8.69 Brands Hatch - 2nd
10.8.69 Mallory Park - 1st
17.8.69 Brands Hatch - 1st
1.9.69 Brands Hatch - 3rd
13.9.69 Crystal Palace - 1st
14.9.69 Brands Hatch - 1st
28.9.69 Mallory Park - 1st
12.10.69 Mallory Park - DNS
19.10.69 Brands Hatch - DNQ
9.11.69 Brands Hatch - 1st
15.11.69 Thruxton - 1st

Fittipaldi raced F2 in 1970

Edited by alansart, 11 January 2011 - 15:25.

[Andrew Kitson]

FF - Merlyn Mk11A-Rowland
First test - Lydden Hill (on way to Zandvoort)
Zandvoort Q-2nd, DNF engine blew. 7/4/69
Snetterton - 1st 4/5/69 ( car no.14 )
Mondello Park - 3rd 11/5/69
Brands Club - 2nd 18/5/69
Snetterton - DNA 26/5/69 ( heat 2, car no.10 )
Chimay - Q-1st, 3rd 26/5/69
Snetterton - 1st heat, 1st final 22/6/69 ( car no.4)
Vallelunga - 2nd 30/6/69
Oulton Park - Q-2nd, 1st 5/7/69
Silverstone GP - Q-1st, 4th (date unknown, maybe 6/7/69?)

Maybe other races not included, but he was not in UK FF for long!

[Puntataco]

Thank you very much. This was very fast. It is very difficult to get such accuracy in the magazines or newspapers in Brazil, from races from that time.

FF - Merlyn Mk11A-Rowland
First test - Lydden Hill (on way to Zandvoort)
Zandvoort Q-2nd, DNF engine blew. 7/4/69
Snetterton - 1st 4/5/69 ( car no.14 )
Mondello Park - 3rd 11/5/69
Brands Club - 2nd 18/5/69
Snetterton - DNA 26/5/69 ( heat 2, car no.10 )
Chimay - Q-1st, 3rd 26/5/69
Snetterton - 1st heat, 1st final 22/6/69 ( car no.4)
Vallelunga - 2nd 30/6/69
Oulton Park - Q-2nd, 1st 5/7/69
Silverstone GP - Q-1st, 4th (date unknown, maybe 6/7/69?)

Maybe other races not included, but he was not in UK FF for long!

[Bloggsworth]

I recall the first time I saw Fittipaldi in an FF coming round Paddock at Brands, I turned to my friend and said WOW! (or words to that effect). We both agreed, a World Champion in the making - Some people just have it...

[Alan Cox]

Puntataco, you can find British and European F3 results from most of the 60s and 70s on this site - scroll down the page to find them
http://www.formula2.net/
You should be able to trace the progress of more of your fellow countrymen here

[sterling49]

I recall the first time I saw Fittipaldi in an FF coming round Paddock at Brands, I turned to my friend and said WOW! (or words to that effect). We both agreed, a World Champion in the making - Some people just have it...

My reaction exactly ! He was a revelation...........................................

[petestenning]

When he did that first race at Snetterton 1969 in his Merlyn MK11 a , he was impressive , having not seen the track till practice he set pole easily , set fastest race lap and lead from start to finish. That shows just how competitive he was and through his career he showed that same skill level .

[alansart]

When he did that first race at Snetterton 1969 in his Merlyn MK11 a , he was impressive , having not seen the track till practice he set pole easily , set fastest race lap and lead from start to finish. That shows just how competitive he was and through his career he showed that same skill level .

Was the Merlyn the same car used later by Jody Scheckter?

[Bloggsworth]

Was the Merlyn the same car used later by Jody Scheckter?

It was the ex Tim Shenken car, which was then passed on to Scheckter - I'm not sure whether this then went on to Vandervell et al, had "Patch" installed and became known as The Magic Merlyn* which seemed to win championships for whomever drove it (It wasn't the Mk11 I bought, I never won a thing!)





*In true historic racing car fashion, several people now claim to own The Magic Merlyn

Edited by Bloggsworth, 11 January 2011 - 19:59.

[petestenning]

Was the Merlyn the same car used later by Jody Scheckter?

Yes it went on to be raced by Colin Vandervell, Jody Scheckter,Frank Sytner,Murray Sandman,

Edited by petestenning, 11 January 2011 - 19:59.

[alansart]

Yes it went on to be raced by Colin Vandervell, Jody Scheckter,Frank Sytner,Murray Sandman,

I saw Sheckter win with it at Crystal Palace

[Andrew Kitson]

I don't think Emerson's Merlyn was the ex-Schenken car. Emmo bought it new, with help from Denny Rowland. Frank Williams was the first person Emerson went to see and he said he could get him a Titan, but the delivery date was not quick enough so Emmo and Denny oredered the orange Merlyn. The engine 'Patch' was not built until 1977.

[Andrew Kitson]

..and contrary to popular belief, the only time Emerson raced in FF for the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School was in the Temporada series in January 1970. Nor did he do the Russell school course as many think. Jim picked him up and became his manager mid-season '69 having seen his talent in the Merlyn and told him to forget FF, sell the Merlyn as he was too good for the formula, and go F3 immediately instead, with a Lotus that Jim arranged with Chapman & Mike Warner at Lotus components.

[brakedisc]

..and contrary to popular belief, the only time Emerson raced in FF for the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School was in the Temporada series in January 1970. Nor did he do the Russell school course as many think. Jim picked him up and became his manager mid-season '69 having seen his talent in the Merlyn and told him to forget FF, sell the Merlyn as he was too good for the formula, and go F3 immediately instead, with a Lotus that Jim arranged with Chapman & Mike Warner at Lotus components.


And run in part by Ralph Firman.

[Alan Cox]

A Tim Blackburn photo of Emerson with his JRRDS Lotus 59. Guards Trophy Brands 1st August 1969

[Puntataco]

Just another question....has anyone here been in the last F-3 race in 1969, when Emerson clinched the title, with a win in the wet race in Brands?
I am trying to find out more about this race from people that have attended this race.

[pete53]

Just another question....has anyone here been in the last F-3 race in 1969, when Emerson clinched the title, with a win in the wet race in Brands?
I am trying to find out more about this race from people that have attended this race.

I attended the race which was on 9th November and indeed it was a damp occasion. I also have the race report from Motoring News. Going into the last round of the Lombank F3 championship Alan Rollinson was ahead of Fittipaldi, but owing to sustaining a slipped disc Alan had to non-start. Emerson went on to win the race and the title. Bev Bond (Lotus 59) was 2nd in the 15 lapper and Dave Walker (Lotus 59) third.
Pete

[Formula Once]

Emerson once told me he remembered his race at Zandvoort very well and fondly, as it was his first on the continent. He took the lead and after lap one he checked his mirrors and he couldn't believe he was so far ahead of the others. Next thing he knew was that his engine blew. I later gave him a picture of that race which he loved as he had nothing of those days. He said he had sold all his racing stuff in Brazil to come to England and race and that when he got there he soon had zero money, the car was all he owned. "One crash and all would have been finished". Also, his mother came over once to cook for him as he both hated the local food and couldnt afford buying much anyway! That he scored his first F1 victory at the end of 1970 is still an amazing story, some kind of record I guess.

Edited by Formula Once, 21 January 2011 - 15:37.