Greetings,
When researching my book ‘Lotus 18 – Colin Chapman’s U-Turn’, I concluded the front line competition carer of the Lotus 18 when Clive Puzey drove 18/21 chassis P2 into third place in the Rhodesian GP on 4.12.66.
Since publication, however, a reliable source in South Africa has advised me that P2 resurfaced in 1967 driven by Jackie Pretorius for Scuderia Scribante. Having comprehensively damaged his Lotus 21 chassis 952 during practice for the Rand Autumn Trophy, Pretorius acquired P2 from Sam Tingle and ran it in 6 South African F1 races, recording second, third and fourth place finishes. P2 last appeared in practice for the Rand Spring Trophy on 7.10.67 but failed to start due to a seized engine.
None of these 1967 appearances is recorded in a ‘Record of Grand Prix & Voiturette Racing’ Volume 8, however, it maintaining that Pretorius drove the repaired Lotus 21.
Does anybody out there have any further information about this final season in the Lotus 18’s front line competition career?
With thanks in advance,
Mark Whitelock
