26 replies to this topic

[Robin Fairservice]

In 1964 and possibly 1965, there was a team of, I think two, Formula 3 cars that used the CVT made by D.A.F. Can some one tell me what chassis they used, and what were the driver's names?

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Robin Fairservice
In 1964 and possibly 1965, there was a team of, I think two, Formula 3 cars that used the CVT made by D.A.F. Can some one tell me what chassis they used, and what were the driver's names?

They used Brabhams at 1st I believe, and then went onto Technos, they were driven by (IIRC) Gijs van Lennep and Mikes Beckwith and Walker and Chris Irwin, usually run by The Chequered Flag of Chiswick.

Sterling

[macoran]

There are some pics, and links on the Dutch TNF gatherings thread, check BB search.

Then there is the Williams FW15C test car as well.

[rx-guru]

The F3 Sport Variomatic was in the early 1970s also used in Rallycross for the 4WD DAF 555 (third 5 stood for Group 5) Coupés (with Ford BDA engines) of Jan de Rooy (nowadays a famous Dakar trucker) and his older brother Harry de Rooy.

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by macoran
There are some pics, and links on the Dutch TNF gatherings thread, check BB search.

Then there is the Williams FW15C test car as well.

And of course http://8w.forix.com/altpower-cvts.html !

[metalshapes]

Some more Info here...

http://www.classic-d...ory/racing.html

[Robin Fairservice]

Many, many thanks. In under an hour I received more details about these cars thanI ever dreamed of.

[macoran]

That is what TNF is all about Robin.

[xbgs351]

There is some information and pictures in the Brabham, Ralt, Honda Ron Tauranac Book.

[Twin Window]

I'm quite possibly imagining this, but wasn't there an Alexis equipped with same at some stage?

[macoran]

Absolutely Stuart......here is a link, albeit in Dutch.

http://www.rallydaf.nl/DAF%20F3.html

and race details Monaco F3 1965 position 7

http://www.formula2.net/F365_E21.htm

[Twin Window]

Ah - thank you, Marc!

I just had some recall of it being mentioned in passing when I worked there (in 1975), so it's good to know that I've not yet gone completely mad.

[Ray Bell]

There is also a good close up pic of a Brabham installation in The Ultimate Excitement... Nigel's book... though that may have only been released in Australia at the time...

[jeremy durward]

i have a good pic of the rear end in an old mag of my dads called "on four wheels" might have to dig that one up

[Arjan de Roos]

Basically DAF first bought an Alexis (still in the museum) for the first tests and races in 1965.

Then they contacted Brabham and bought at least one chassis. Their is information that DAF copied one or two chassis in license. Many tests were carried out and races run: Beckwith and Gijs Van Lennep driving for Checkered Flag. One Brabham resides still in the DAF Museum in Eindhoven.

Later DAF purchased one or two Tecno's. Mostly Gijs Van Lennep driving. Rob Koch, racing manager and later also involved in other DAF projects is said to have one Tecno on show in his living room...

I visited the DAF museum in december again. Will post pics here.

[bschenker]

There were at least, two Tecno DAF F3.

On the day after the Zandvoort F2 race, the 29.07.1968, Clay Regazzoni tested with two cars in Zolder.
The test agreement came at the request of DAF, that defendant our rider with the Tecno wasn’t able to make good lap times.
I cannot remember the times of Clay, but in short time they are real competitive lap times.

At least in the Italian “AutoItaliana” and “AutoSprit” from this time this is commented.

[Graham Gauld]

This might be a slightly clearer picture of the Brabham DAF transmission

[macoran]

Then there is this thread as well

http://forums.autosp...?threadid=54618

and a site with some pics of the Tecno DAF in tha DAF museum.

http://www.ritzsite....AF_cars_p17.htm

[Bloggsworth]

I remember watching them at The Crystal Palace.

Loved the Variomatic, you could drive as fast backwards as forwards.

[macoran]

The "achteruit races" (driving backwards races) at Valkenswaard were always spectaular,
the drivers finding it quite difficult to control steering the higher the speeds rose and th sharper
the corners became.

[macoran]

And some CVT action on

http://www.youtube.c...3UpBKXMRto&NR=1

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Bloggsworth
I remember watching them at The Crystal Palace.

Loved the Variomatic, you could drive as fast backwards as forwards.

Wasn't their strapline "Back to go back, forward to go forward"?

[metalshapes]

Originally posted by macoran
The "achteruit races" (driving backwards races) at Valkenswaard were always spectaular,
the drivers finding it quite difficult to control steering the higher the speeds rose and th sharper
the corners became.

Is there anything on Youtube on this?

I've looked for it but cant find it...

I remember seeing it on Dutch TV when I was a kid.
( weren't the broadcasts by Tros? )

[rx-guru]

Originally posted by macoran
The "achteruit races" (driving backwards races) at Valkenswaard were always spectaular,
the drivers finding it quite difficult to control steering the higher the speeds rose and th sharper
the corners became.

Been to one of this so-called "races" myself. Nearly all of the cars went sooner or later over the roof and were heavily damaged. There was a mobile scrap press in the paddock that flattened them soon after the accidents. Therefore, the commentators used to sing "die zien wij nooit meer terug" ("this one we will never see again")… Apart from the TV events at the Eurocircuit near Valkenswaard – did they not do some of these "AVRO achteruit rijden" events at Zandvoort also?

[Arjan de Roos]

Here some pics of the Alexis and Brabham at the DAF Museum in Eindhoven (NL).

[sterling49]

Arjan, I just cannot remember the wheels being so very skinny Great photos!

[GPLEagle]

Originally posted by rx-guru


Been to one of this so-called "races" myself. Nearly all of the cars went sooner or later over the roof and were heavily damaged. There was a mobile scrap press in the paddock that flattened them soon after the accidents. Therefore, the commentators used to sing "die zien wij nooit meer terug" ("this one we will never see again")… Apart from the TV events at the Eurocircuit near Valkenswaard – did they not do some of these "AVRO achteruit rijden" events at Zandvoort also?

They certainly did. I can't remember if they used the full GP track or looped back after the Hugenholz corner, but Tarzan was certainly an event going backwards.

Incidentally, I remember reading a book about DAF's motorsport adventures (regretably, I don't have the book). It also included the 84h race at the Nurburgring, as well as the London-Sidney rally, F3 and rallycross.