Six single-seaters to see at 78MM | GRR
We have all sorts of single-seater machinery racing, demonstrating and on display at our Members’ Meetings, so it’s always a good idea to round up a short list of the ones to look out for. Needless to say, 78MM is no exception for variety, from a V12 manual ‘90s F1 car, to a tiny Formula car that helped Stirling Moss get his start.
McLaren MP4-6
We begin with the former, a car that helped Ayrton Senna to his third and final Formula 1 World Championship, to become the youngest three-time world champion at the time. It is of course the McLaren MP4-6, the screaming Honda V12 monster. The championship was no plain sailing, given he had to push for Honda to realise the full potential of the 3.5-litre lump that by his reckoning, wasn’t performing as well as the V10 of 1990. What Senna wanted, Senna got and a late-season push with a rejuvenated car secured the win. See this legendary car in action at 78MM with F1 alum and Ayrton’s nephew Bruno Senna at the wheel.
Brabham BT52B
From Senna’s last world championship to one of the first Formula 1 cars that he tested. It was November 1983 and Senna was shopping around for seats in F1. Bernie Ecclestone invited Senna for a test of the Brabham BT52B, a car fresh from carrying Nelson Piquet to his second title. It’ll be at the Members’ Meeting on display alongside a selection of other significant cars from Senna’s past.
Cooper-Norton Mk5
Talking of significant single-seaters in the story of significant racing figures, a Cooper Formula 3 car. But not just any Cooper F3 car… the Cooper that Stirling Moss raced in his earlier years. These cars chaperoned a number of legends of the sport on their journey to motorsport immortality, including none other than Bernie Ecclestone, during his own racing career. It’s easy to dismiss Formula 3 but such is the significance of the batch of drivers that were launched in this period. Plus, the racing will be excellent in the Don Parker Trophy in which 30 of these cars, including this one, will be competing.
Effyh-Norton Brynfan Tyddyn Special
A what?? Don’t worry, we struggle with the name as well. This thing is quite the curiosity, even beyond its name. Taken to America, raced, abandoned, raced again and then left without a series, the Effyh was given a new lease of life. A new fabricated new rear end to take a race-prepped North Motor rendered this the Effyh-Norton Brynfan Tyddyn Special. Mend, mod and make do motor racing at the grassroots level that we so love to hear about.
Toleman-Hart TG184
In case you hadn’t realised, there’s something of a tribute to Ayrton Senna at the 78th Members’ meeting this year, commemorating 30 years since he secured his third and final championship. Another of the significant cars from his past to be on display at the Meeting is the Toleman TG184, the first F1 car Senna raced, in 1984. Ninth in the driver’s championship and three podium finishes was nothing to be sniffed at, especially considering the career that was to follow.
Brabham BT49D
Diverting from Senna, another cool F1 car that will be on display at Members’ Meeting is part of a selection of significant Gordon Murray designs. The BT49 is by most measures a faithful mule, serving over the course of four seasons, scoring 135 points. Such was the versatility of this platform, its only drivers’ championship was delivered two years on from its debut in 1981 for Nelson Piquet. The BT49 was also one of the first F1 cars to incorporate carbon fibre in its structure, though retaining an alloy basis for its monocoque. Ever the rule-bender, Murray incorporated flexible skirts into the design of the BT49 that could mimic the then-banned sliders. These were promptly banned after complaints from Frank Williams.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images, 78MM image by Pete Summers.
Formula 1
Members Meeting
Brabham
McLaren
Toleman
Cooper
78MM
