57 replies to this topic

[Rob Miller]

South Africa also adopted the 1966 regulations a year early in 1965.

[DCapps]

DC,

 

I thought 1960 was still formula libre. There was a D-type and other Jaguar and Corvette based cars running in most events.

 

F1 rules probably began for the 60/61 season in late 1960.

 

"Unless I'm very much mistaken" (as MW would say!)

 

After few beginning bites of tasty crow, the combination of failing memory and then relying on something that I should have realized was "nonoperational," this is on me.

Failure to do one's homework is no excuse.

 

The scenario for 1960/61 was basically Aspirational: An F2 eace on New Year's Day 1960 had the consequence of several Visiting Drivers sell their cars, which then opened another outlet for Euro formula cars.

Which led to the eventual and informal adoption of current-F2/incoming-F1 as the standard for the latter part of 1960 and the early part of 1961.

During 1961, the old F2/now F1 cars created the de facto National Formula with the Libre machinery being pretty much edged out by the end of 1961.

By the Autumn of 1961, the "F1" cars were now taking over the grids, with F1-compliant Specials joining the Euro F2/F1 makes.

From 1962 until 1964 that was the case. Beginning with the 1965 season, the SA series opened the door to the incoming F1, with F2 also part of the change. Beginning with 1968, F5000 cars were allowed.

The 3-litre F1 & F5000 era ended with the 1975 season.

 

Anyway, back to finishing the rest of the crow...

[Ray Bell]

Just to add something which might be a little bit informative in the Sth African situation...

 

A number of cars built to the 1500cc F1 were powered by Alfa Romeo engines.

[Rob Miller]

In South Africa the Alfa Romeo engines were competitive because basically with only a few exceptions the technology stayed at 1961 levels. The 1962 and 1963 champion cars were Lotus 21's and in 1964 the Cooper T55.

[Ray Bell]

Funny, that...

 

By 1964 in Australia, you weren't competitive in either Sports or Racing Cars unless you had a Lotus Twin-Cam.

[Kaha]

 

The Monza news was about Ferrai mostly but the Renault engine union strke protest at the planned closue of Vitry also figured

 

Looking it all up I discoverd Renault engines are 4th in wins, 160, with Cosworth  on 176, Mercedes on 218  and Ferrari on 247 . I was surprised how close MB are to Ferrari but then it gets complicated.

 

[...]

 

I don't think it is fair to count the DS50 engines as Ferrari engines. They were designed by Lancia.

[Doug Nye]

...but modified by Ferrari...and badged as Ferrari...and...

 

DCN

[D-Type]

I was wondering when the 1956-57 Lancia-Ferrari's status would get a mention.

 

And wasn't the South African National Championship at one time for "Formula 1 cars" but restricted to 4 cylinders?  Did they also ignore the minimum weight which would have helped the Alfa-engined cars to be in contention?