23 replies to this topic

[Rob G]

Here's a question that's been bugging me for years. I know that up until mid-1973 race numbers were assigned by individual race promoters rather than being assigned for an entire season by the FIA. However, I've always wondered why so many race promoters decided to use only even numbers rather than simply starting at #1 and filling the list from there. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Zawed]

To avoid #13????

[David McKinney]

I think Zawed may be right - that and 17, which the Italians apparently dislike as much as we dislike 13.

[Barry Boor]

I am pretty sure that was the reason. I always liked the even numbers only system.

[Rob29]

Another theory was that it made it look like there were more cars on the entry list than there realy were.

[Gil Bouffard]

Ah yes,

And in the early Fifties, the organizers of the German Grand Prix used three digit numbers, starting with 101.

Not all organizers used even numbers. Some used sequential and some just went 1-2-3-4. Also in many cases, numbers were not assigned until the teams registered at the circuit. Aaaand numbering was assigned by the postmark on the entry form.

Gil

[Barry Boor]

...and another thing.....

I am bemused and baffled by the numbering of the F.2 cars at Rouen in 1959. I'm sure you are too.

For the tiny handful of members who aren't aware of this odd situation it really is a strange and, to me, inexplicable method of number allocation.

The Rob Walker cars were 2 and 6. (Even numbers only, by the way) The quasi works Coopers 18 and 20, with Brabham's self-entered car 12. Three works Lotuses were 16, 22 and 28. Two B.R.P cars were 4 and 28, while Herrmann in the Behra Porsche was 8 while the Belgian Coopers were 24 and 34

I wondered whether Grand Prix drivers were favoured with lower numbers but Schell was 30. And anyway, Bueb was not a Grand Prix driver and he was number 4.

I have stood and looked at my line up of the cars, all numbered as in the real race, but I cannot make any sensible suggestion as to how it was done. Numbers out of the hat, perhaps? Or should that be, the beret?

Edited by Barry Boor, 27 February 2012 - 20:57.

[David McKinney]

Seems the only explanation. I'm not aware of any regulation that required logic to cars' numbering in those days

[Barry Boor]

Nevertheless, it's rare to see such haphazard distribution of numbers, wouldn't you say?

[D-Type]

Could it be that they started with a sensible list of entries and numbers, then had several withdrawals, and moved entries from the tail of the list to fill the gaps rather than renumber them all?

[David McKinney]

I considered that, but it makes no sense, unless teams entered one car, and were allotted the first available number, and when subsequently entering a second car were given the next number on the list. I can't see Rob Walker, BRP, Cooper etc all doing anything but entering two cars at the same time

[Barry Boor]

Here is the proof of the Rouen numbers:

[Roger Clark]

Why do you think that Brabham's car was that colour?

[David McKinney]

I was wondering the same thing. Correct for 1958, but not 1959. I'm sure it would have had a "works" paintjob, like the McLaren amd Gregory cars

Barry?

[Barry Boor]

As Jack's car was entered under his own name in 1959 F.2 races, I simply decided to keep it separate from the Alan Brown-entered cars.

In fact, you have picked up on one error and missed several others.....

[Rob29]

I would agree there.Also BRP cars had different nose colour when I saw them at Crystal Palace & Brands Hatch that year-Bueb maroon-Bristow-orange.

[Barry Boor]

Really?

[Barry Boor]

One might be tempted to question the recollection seeing that by the time the 1959 cars appeared at Brands Ivor Bueb had been dead for some weeks.

[David McKinney]

In fact, you have picked up on one error and missed several others.....

I wasn't looking for errors

[wenoopy]

I have a recollection, possibly from several years earlier than 1959, of a race organiser issuing(or revealing) the race numbers only at the beginning of practice, coinciding with the issue of their official programme. Their intention being to thwart the activities of 'cowboy' programme sellers and/or local newspapers, and to improve sales.

However, this seems more likely at smaller events on street/road circuits like Chimay, Cadours or similar. Not Rouen.

Stu

[Barry Boor]

They did something like that at Spa.

[Rob29]

One might be tempted to question the recollection seeing that by the time the 1959 cars appeared at Brands Ivor Bueb had been dead for some weeks.

actually only days as Bank holiday was first monday in august in those days. Just checked black book-my memory may be fading with age-looks like George Wicken had the orange nose earlier at the'palace.But Bristow winning at Brands with an orange nose is a clear one.Think he became my favouite driver until his sad demise the following year.

[Barry Boor]

Mine too, although I was very young.

[ensign14]

I have a recollection, possibly from several years earlier than 1959, of a race organiser issuing(or revealing) the race numbers only at the beginning of practice, coinciding with the issue of their official programme. Their intention being to thwart the activities of 'cowboy' programme sellers and/or local newspapers, and to improve sales.

To tie this in with the top post, I have seen photos of cars with odd numbers at races where only evens were used - so perhaps there was a deliberate policy of so doing.