1975 Race of Champions

Last updated
1975 Race of Champions
Non-championship race in the 1975 Formula One season
Brands Hatch 1960-1975.svg
Race details
Date 16 March 1975
Location Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, Fawkham, Kent, England
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 4.206 km (2.6136 mi)
Distance 40 laps, 168.24 km (104.544 mi)
Weather Cold, Wet
Pole position
Driver Shadow-Ford
Time 1:34.9
Fastest lap
Driver Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Pryce Shadow-Ford
Time 1:21.1
Podium
First Shadow-Ford
Second Surtees-Ford
Third Lotus-Ford

The 1975 Race of Champions was a non-championship Formula One race held at Brands Hatch on 16 March 1975. Weather conditions were inhospitable, with strong winds, heavy rain and even snow showers during the weekend.

Contents

There was some pre-race controversy about the decision to top up the grid with Formula 5000 cars-eventually a compromise was reached where only those drivers with Formula 1 experience would be permitted to start.

Ironically the most vehement protester against the Formula 5000 drivers, Emerson Fittipaldi, qualified only 17th, some four rows behind the fastest Formula 5000 driver Tom Belsø.

A cluster of cars rounding Druids Hill bend in the early laps of the race. At this point, eventual winner Pryce's car (centre right) is back in the pack. Druids Hill Bend 1975 Race of Champions.jpg
A cluster of cars rounding Druids Hill bend in the early laps of the race. At this point, eventual winner Pryce's car (centre right) is back in the pack.

Roelof Wunderink made his début in the Ensign, whilst Tony Trimmer qualified well in the new Safir car (previously known as a Token) and Maurizio Flammini was a non-starter after crashing heavily in practice.

Tom Pryce dominated in appalling weather conditions from Jody Scheckter, giving the crowd a home driver to cheer in the absence of James Hunt.

The start was delayed as snow fell and teams had to quickly decide which type of tyres to use, but when the flag fell, Jacky Ickx surged through from the second row to lead. In midfield, Belso was hit and spun taking out Jochen Mass, who retired despite having minimal damage to the car. As a result of this incident, the decision was taken to bar Formula 5000 cars from future Formula 1 races.

Scheckter took the lead at the end of lap 1 on dry tyres and Pryce was soon catching him, having passed Ronnie Peterson and Ickx after a bad start on the damp side of the track.

In second place, with a strong home following was John Watson in the Surtees who gained the place having taken Peterson when they were passing backmarkers at Druids Bend.

Despite not being a Championship round, Pryce's win makes this the only Formula One race won by a Welshman.

Results

Pos.No.DriverTeamLapsTime/RetiredGrid
116 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Pryce Shadow-Ford 4055:53.51
218 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Watson Surtees-Ford 40+ 30.510
35 Flag of Sweden.svg Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford 40+ 32.06
46 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jacky Ickx Lotus-Ford 39+ 1 Lap4
51 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Emerson Fittipaldi McLaren-Ford 39+ 1 Lap17
614 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Evans BRM 38+ 2 Laps19
720 Flag of Italy.svg Arturo Merzario Williams-Ford 37+ 3 Laps8
817 Flag of France.svg Jean-Pierre Jarier Shadow-Ford 36+ 4 Laps/Fuel pump3
923 Flag of Germany.svg Rolf Stommelen Lola-Ford 35+ 5 Laps5
1051 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Roelof Wunderink Ensign-Ford 35+ 5 Laps18
1135 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Purley Chevron-Ford 34+ 6 Laps12
Ret31 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian Ashley Lola-Chevrolet 27Accident16
Ret28 Flag of the United States.svg Mark Donohue Penske-Ford 26Handling7
Ret3 Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Jody Scheckter Tyrrell-Ford 25Engine2
Ret10 Flag of Italy.svg Lella Lombardi March-Ford 20Handling11
Ret7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan Lola-Chevrolet 18Tyres13
Ret50 Flag of New Zealand.svg John Nicholson Lyncar-Ford 15Engine20
Ret208 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Belsø Lola-Chevrolet 0Accident9
Ret2 Flag of Germany.svg Jochen Mass McLaren-Ford 0Accident15
DSQ52 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Safir-Ford 33Outside assistance14
DNS21 Flag of Italy.svg Maurizio Flammini Williams-Ford 0Accident during practice21
DNQ34 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette Lola-Chevrolet
DNQ39 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Redman Chevron-Chevrolet
DNQ33 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards Lola-Chevrolet
DNQ77 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dave Walker Chevron-Chevrolet
DNQ32 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Gethin Lola-Chevrolet

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References

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