6 replies to this topic

[uderzo]

Hello everyone,

Back to the topic: I am interested in details of early testings of the Ferrari 312B. AFAIK, first tests were conducted in the Summer of '69 (obviosuly without Bryan Adams :-)) by Chris Amon (any photos will be much appreciated). Where were those tests conducted? Also, when did Ickx started testing and where? Or, if I put it another way, can someone help me with locating (in time and space) photos on this page: http://www.jacky-ick...l...idx=85&id=1?

Thank you very much!

[Tim Murray]

According to Flat-12 by Alan Henry, the 312B was unveiled in August 1969. There is a photo showing Amon testing the car at Modena. Ickx first drove the car in October 1969, at Vallelunga.

[Ralliart]

In the Oct/Nov 2011 issue of Cavallino, in a story on Peter Schetty, the caption to one of the photos reads, "Peter Schetty, with engineers Giancarlo Bussi and Mauro Forghieri, discuss the first 312B, s/n 001, at the Autodromo di Modena, possibly in September of 1969." In the article, Schetty is quoted as saying, "(In 1969) I did numerous tests with the 212E, the 312P and with the 312 F1, too...I drove the 312 F1/69 to the 312B2...(The best single-seater I drove?) The 312B, the first car...Chris Amon began the development tests and then I took over after his departure. It was a very good single-seater but we had many troubles with the engine at the beginning, on the test bench as well as on the car. There were a lot of engine breakages!"

[Bruno]

In first day Settember 1969:


http://brunodaytona6...kes_essais.html

and follow. French magazine "Auto Journal"


and test at Modena, Vallelunga and Monza

(pics, Test site Jacky Ickx fanclub at Vallelunga 1969)

Edited by Bruno, 03 November 2011 - 07:11.

[Doug Nye]

Try 'Motor Sport' about a year ago - story and photo of Amon testing the prototype at Modena, plus his comments on how it broke his heart...

DCN

[uderzo]

Big thanks to everybody. So Schetty tested 312B as well.

Doug, thanks for the Motorsport tip. Your "The History of the Grand Prix car 1966-1991" has been my only source on the topic so far, maybe it's time for "The History of the Grand prix Car 1992-2011"?

[Ralliart]

I should've added, maybe, that in the photo I mentioned in Cavallino, Schetty is suited up and ready to get into the 312B. Apparently, Schetty also tested the car (and its descendants) on several circuits. He said, in response to 'rumors had you as a future driver in Grand Prix, why didn't it happen?': "Maybe because being test driver, I drove exactly the same chassis that the drivers entered in GP and I was a little less fast on the circuits where we would run. At Fiorano, Regazzoni was the fastest, I second and Ickx third, simply because he did not practice as much as us on this home circuit. But on the other tracks, I was some tenths less fast than them. I would never have become a world champion and it was, furthermore, for this reason, that I stopped racing."