19 replies to this topic

[chr1s]

Whenever I've read anything about the Hesketh March, often it is mentioned that the car was "tweeked" modified or developed by Dr Harvey Postlethwaite, but never in any detail. I know it was a long time ago, but does anyone know what any of those tweeks or modifications were? or how many were carried out?
How different was it compared to a factory 731?
Also, anyone know what happend to the chassis after 1973 or where it is now?

Thanks Chris.

[David Beard]

Whenever I've read anything about the Hesketh March, often it is mentioned that the car was "tweeked" modified or developed by Dr Harvey Postlethwaite, but never in any detail. I know it was a long time ago, but does anyone know what any of those tweeks or modifications were? or how many were carried out?
How different was it compared to a factory 731?
Also, anyone know what happend to the chassis after 1973 or where it is now?

Thanks Chris.

Silly, but I only recall the silly nose. Perhaps silly airbox too?

[jj2728]

I dunno if this helps or not.
USGP 1973



Copyright JAG

[alansart]

The Hunt car started life as 721 Chassis 3 for Ronnie Peterson and was updated to a 731 for James Hunt. It later converted to a F5000 (3.4 Litre) for Boy Hayje. It now resides in Germany. (Source ORC).

http://www.oldracing...hp?CarID=721G/3

I'm not sure about the mods made by Harvey Postlethwaite but it was certainly quick in James Hunts hands although a little tatty!!

[Nigel Beresford]

I can't remember the precise context, but I remember Harvey once remarking in the DO at Tyrrells that he was a bit taken aback by people's surprise that they had made that March go so well. "It was simple - we just added downforce". If you look at pictures of later developments, such as the way the Hesketh car ran at Watkins Glen, you can see a nose with a much larger plan area splitter (amongst other changes, such as modifying the bodywork behind the front wheels), which would have added a lot of front downforce. It would have been far easier to add rear downforce to re-balance the car (aided by the "silly" narrow airbox to theoretically help clean up the airflow to the rear wing) and realise a significant increase in overall downforce.

Edited by Nigel Beresford, 30 July 2013 - 08:54.

[arttidesco]

As can be seen in this linked pic from 1974 the Hesketh 731 also lost the shroud behind the front wheels, as seen clearly in Alan's pics above.

IIRC the car raced with this alteration at least as early as Watkins Glen in 1973.

[Nigel Beresford]

There's a picture here that shows Harvey's thinking, with large splitter, a rear wing trailing edge extension and modified bodywork aft of the front wheels to aid air extraction. I don't think this is how they raced at the Glen in 73, but it shows where HP was concentrating his efforts.


http://www.sportscar...race-profile/2/

[Allen Brown]

The Hunt car started life as 721 Chassis 3 for Ronnie Peterson and was updated to a 731 for James Hunt. It later converted to a F5000 (3.4 Litre) for Boy Hayje. It now resides in Germany. (Source ORC).

http://www.oldracing...hp?CarID=721G/3

In a private museum in Germany but the owner of the museum hasn't responded to enquiries. It's possible it has moved on by now.

[f1steveuk]

I certainly recall HP saying it was down force and some strengthening to the tub, to stiffen it up, it was what he described as "a bit soft".

In the black and white pic' from the "Glen", is the March running Firestones on the front and Goodyears on the back? The rears have much more rounded shoulders than Firestones normally had.

[BRG]

Did Hesketh know they were getting a second hand 721, or was this another of Mosley's dodgy bombsite car dealer moves?

[alansart]

There's a picture here that shows Harvey's thinking, with large splitter, a rear wing trailing edge extension and modified bodywork aft of the front wheels to aid air extraction. I don't think this is how they raced at the Glen in 73, but it shows where HP was concentrating his efforts.


http://www.sportscar...race-profile/2/

A much squarer nosecone as well.

[alansart]

Did Hesketh know they were getting a second hand 721, or was this another of Mosley's dodgy bombsite car dealer moves?

Looking at ORC all 731's were upgraded 721's.

[mfd]

this linked pic from 1974

Where is this taken Artti?

[arttidesco]

Where is this taken Artti?

I'd go for Argentina but it maybe Brazil.

A much squarer nosecone as well.

Just found this period ad for the car, presumably the squarer nose in the pic is one of the 'silly noses'

[alansart]

Where is this taken Artti?

Looking at the colour of the barriers, possibly Buenos Aires.

[mfd]

Looking at the colour of the barriers, possibly Buenos Aires.

Thank you both - I should have noticed the Spanish advertising hoarding too

[Tim Murray]

According to the person who posted the photo on this forum page it's Argentina. I'd forgotten that Hunt actually led part of the first lap in Argentina until Ronnie forced him into an error.

[mfd]

According to the person who posted the photo on this forum page it's Argentina. I'd forgotten that Hunt actually led part of the first lap in Argentina until Ronnie forced him into an error.

Actually he saying it's Interlagos. However in 1973 both the Argentine & Brazilian circuits had striped Armco

Nice aerial from Monaco this page though
http://forum.motorio...h...8567&page=5

Edited by mfd, 30 July 2013 - 15:04.

[Tim Murray]

Actually he saying it's Interlagos.

That's not how I read it. The post starts with '1974' then 'Buenos Aires' followed by the two photos of Stuck and Hunt, then Ganley at Interlagos, Brambilla at Jarama and finally Wilds at Brands. The circuit name always comes above the relevant photo(s).

[mfd]

That's not how I read it. The post starts with '1974' then 'Buenos Aires' followed by the two photos of Stuck and Hunt, then Ganley at Interlagos, Brambilla at Jarama and finally Wilds at Brands. The circuit name always comes above the relevant photo(s).

OK Tim, I'll go with that