8 replies to this topic

[wsp77]

Hi all

 

We all know that Graham McRae entered the 1973 British Grand Prix for his sole event with the Williams Iso Cosworth. However, I have been reading through the report in the August copy of Motorsport of the 1972 GP at Brands Hatch, where there is an intriguing referral of Graham McRae.

 

I am aware that both Tony Trimmer in the Team Lotus 72 and Ray Allen in the Speed International March 711 were entered but failed to participate. But within the British GP report there is the following comment

 

'During the second half of the Grand Prix practice a gullumphing great Formula 5000 car appeared among the 3-litres, driven by McRae and one can only hope that the RAC knew what it was all about.'

 

Does anyone know any more about this or the reasons behind it? It seems quite incredible that he took part in the practice session. Had he originally applied with his McRae GM1 (with a DFV fitted?) and had his entry refused? And then maybe thought he would demonstrate his F5000 instead?

 

Any thoughts on this would greatly be appreciated.

 

Regards

Edited by wsp77, 02 November 2014 - 12:46.

[Felix Muelas]

Intriguing...

[Macca]

There was a round of the British F5000 championship at the GP meeting as one of the support races, and McRae started from last position on the grid, with no practise time shown.

 

It is likely he had a technical problem and was allowed to practise 'out of session' to establish that the car was safe to race - he went on to win the F5000 race.

 

Paul M

[wsp77]

Thanks Paul

 

That seems a logical explanation. When I was racing in the 90's I occasionally practised out of session. I never thought I would hear of a case of it happening at a GP though, amazing!

[Tim Murray]

According to the Autosport report he practised with the F1s after his transporter broke down on the way to the circuit. He was a busy man that weekend - he then nipped over to the USA and won the F5000 event at Elkhart Lake the day after the GP.

[opplock]

I wasn't previously aware of this being unable to afford Autosport at the time. The Autocourse report ignores this but does include several paragraphs complaining about poor facilities at Brands. The report does state "In England, however, there is no magic Paul Ricard to finance a super pits/paddock complex, and certainly no government inspired grants." Bernie and BRDC rehashed the same arguments 30 years later!

 

McRae would not have been a mobile chicane. His practice time for the October non-championship F1/F5000 race would have put him on 3rd row of the GP grid. By that time however Fittipaldi was lapping 1.8 seconds quicker than at the GP. Tyres? In October McRae did outqualify 9 F1 cars including the Brabhams of Hill and Reutemann.  

[Vitesse2]

I wasn't previously aware of this being unable to afford Autosport at the time. The Autocourse report ignores this but does include several paragraphs complaining about poor facilities at Brands. The report does state "In England, however, there is no magic Paul Ricard to finance a super pits/paddock complex, and certainly no government inspired grants." Bernie and BRDC rehashed the same arguments 30 years later!.  

Well, yes. But at the time Circuit Paul Ricard - one of the very few permanent circuits in France - was just three years old, whereas Brands - one of about twenty in Britain at the time - was well into its third decade. Or even past the end of its fourth, if you count its pre-war role as a grass-track for bikes. CPR was 'designed': BH, like Topsy, 'just growed'.

 

And I can point you to a Sammy Davis article from 1938 bemoaning the lack of magic in British motor racing! He was more impressed with the way the Germans and Americans did things than with the French though.

[Tim Murray]

... and Brands did have a nice new pits/paddock complex by 1976.

[wsp77]

Many thanks for all of your replies. All of which have been both interesting and full of insight.