1978 British Formula One Championship

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The 1978 British Formula One Championship (formally the 1978 Aurora AFX F1 Championship) was the first season of the British Formula One Championship. It commenced on 24 March 1978 and ended on 24 September after twelve races. [1]

Contents

The Aurora AFX F1 Championship replaced the Shellsport Group 8 series that had been run in 1976 and 1977 to Formula Libre rules. As part of the changes, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic cars were no longer eligible to race in the Aurora AFX championship. Formula 1 cars were now the focus of the series, with Formula 2 cars still being permitted as a 'B-class'. [2]

Teams and drivers

Entry List [3]
TeamNo.DriverChassisEngineRounds
Formula 1
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Melchester Racing1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren M23 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 1–5, 7, 9–10, 12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Divina Galica 11
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Team March 3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Allison March 75A/761 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 4-8
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards 1-2
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Allison March 781 9-12
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards 3-12
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees 7
Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Centro Asegurador F15 Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota McLaren M25 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 1–6, 10-12
McLaren M23 8-9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Valentino Musetti 7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Valentino Musetti March 752/761 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 1-9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mario Deliotti Racing7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Valentino Musetti Ensign N177 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 10-12
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Ensign N175 1-4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Allison2
Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Martini 5-6
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray Mallock 7
Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Desiré Wilson 8-12
Flag of Ireland.svg Alo Lawler10 Flag of Ireland.svg Alo Lawler Surtees TS19 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 1-3
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stanley BRM 11 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette BRM P207 BRM P202 3.0 V12 1–4, 7-12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Team Olympus 13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Divina Galica Surtees TS19 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg J. C. Cooper14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Evans Surtees TS19 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 5-6
Hesketh 308E 7-12
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Cooper Hesketh 308C 1-8
Hesketh 308E 9, 11-12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees 10
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Leech 16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Leech March 761 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 11
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Zaborowski19 Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Zaborowski March 761 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 3
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg BS Fabrications 30 Flag of the United States.svg Brett Lunger McLaren M26 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Theodore Racing 32 Flag of Ireland.svg David Kennedy Wolf WR3 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 12
Flag of Austria.svg Gerd Biechteler65 Flag of Austria.svg Gerd Biechteler March 761 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 4, 6
Formula 2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Eden Racing6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wilds Ralt RT1 Ford BDG 2.0 L4 All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mario Deliotti Racing9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Chevron B42 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 11
Flag of Ireland.svg L & B Excavations10 Flag of Ireland.svg Alo Lawler Ralt RT1 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 6, 8, 11
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen South 12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen South March 782 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 10-11
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kim Mather15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kim Mather Chevron B35D Ford BDG 2.0 L4 1–9, 12
Flag of the United States.svg Fred Opert Racing 16 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Boy Hayje Chevron B42 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chevron Cars 16 Flag of Italy.svg Elio de Angelis Chevron B42 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 10
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg MacLaren's of Broxburn18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Iain McLaren Chevron B35 Ford BDX 2.0 L4 1, 4
Chevron B40 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adrian Russell20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adrian Russell March 762 Ford BDX 2.0 L4 1-11
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Boxer Cars22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman DicksonBoxer PR276 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 3, 5
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham 6
Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota 7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Barton23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy BartonBarton JTB3 Ford BDX 2.0 L4 4
March 77B/772P Ford BDG 2.0 L4 9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warren Booth29 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warren BoothScott F2 Ford BDX 2.0 L4 1, 6, 8
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Clarkson30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Clarkson March 742 Ford BDX 2.0 L4 1–2, 12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Baillie38 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Baillie March 752 Ford BDX Swindon 2.0 L4 1, 4, 6–7, 11-12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray Mallock 9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin Bowditch41 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin Bowditch Lola T460 Ford 2.0 L4 6-7
Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Giorgio42 Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Giorgio March 742 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 2, 5
Flag of Austria.svg Dr. Joseph Ehrlich43 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brett Riley March 762 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 9-10
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dicksons of Perth47 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman Dickson March 772P Hart 420R 2.0 L4 10-11
Flag of Germany.svg Eugen Grupp64 Flag of Germany.svg Eugen Grupp Toj F202 BMW M12 2.0 L4 9
Flag of Austria.svg Osterreich ASC65 Flag of Austria.svg Gerd Biechteler March 782 BMW M12 2.0 L4 9
Flag of the United States.svg Briggs Racing Enterprises71 Flag of the United States.svg John David Briggs Chevron B42 Hart 420R 2.0 L4 10-11
77 Flag of the United States.svg Don Breidenbach10-11
Flag of Austria.svg Walter Raus78 Flag of Austria.svg Walter Raus March 762 BMW M12 2.0 L4 2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Smith and Jones90 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Jones March 742 Ford BDG 2.0 L4 10-12
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Wood? Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Wood March 742 Ford 2.0 L4 5

Results and standings

Races

RndTrackDateLapsPole PositionFastest LapRace WinnerConstructor
1 Oulton Park 24 March65 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren
2 Brands Hatch 27 March40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren
3 Snetterton 16 April55 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren
4 Mallory Park 1 May75 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Ensign
5 Zandvoort 15 May38 Flag of the United States.svg Brett Lunger Flag of the United States.svg Brett Lunger Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Evans Surtees
6 Donington Park 21 May55 Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Martini Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Martini Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Martini Ensign
7 Thruxton 29 May50 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren
8 Oulton Park 24 June65 Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards March
9 Mallory Park 30 July75 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Allison March
10 Brands Hatch 28 August40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen South Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer McLaren
11 Thruxton 10 September45 Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards March
12 Snetterton 24 September50 Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota Flag of Ireland.svg David Kennedy Flag of Ireland.svg David Kennedy Wolf

Drivers' standings

Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers using the following structure:

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  FL 
Points201512108643212
Pos.Driver OUL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
BRH
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
SNE
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
MAL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
ZAN
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
DON
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
THR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
OUL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
MAL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
BRH
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
THR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
SNE
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
Pts
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Trimmer 1112DNS1212149
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Evans 1325722793
3 Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Emilio de Villota 2324Ret57Ret4Ret8886
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Edwards Ret4Ret10Ret2Ret13DNS1Ret78
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Lees Ret231Ret5569
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce AllisonDNS6RetRet421Ret12363
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Valentino Musetti NCNCRet37453Ret64DNS62
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Cooper38Ret88787910444
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wilds Ret6Ret76DNS668713543
10 Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Desiré Wilson Ret643634
11 Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Martini 4132
12 Flag of Ireland.svg David Kennedy 122
13 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette Ret5RetRetRet4RetRetRetRet20
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Divina Galica 2719
15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kim Mather4RetNC5NCRetDNSNCRetRet18
16 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Boy Hayje 312
= [1] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray Mallock 31212
= [1] Flag of Italy.svg Elio de Angelis 312
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Iain McLaren591011
= [1] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adrian RussellDNQ10NC139898NCRetRet11
21 Flag of the United States.svg Brett Lunger 510
22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brett Riley5Ret8
23 Flag of the United States.svg Don Breidenbach1067
24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham 66
25 Flag of Austria.svg Walter Raus74
26 Flag of the United States.svg John David Briggs8173
27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen South Ret92
= [1] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Warren BoothNC9Ret2
= [1] Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Giorgio9Ret2
= [1] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Jones 911Ret2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Barton12110
Flag of Austria.svg Gerd Biechteler11DNS130
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan BaillieDNQ14NCNC15DNS0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman DicksonDNSRetDNS140
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Leech 160
Flag of Ireland.svg Alo LawlerRetRetDNSRetRetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill WoodRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin BowditchDNQDNS0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel ClarksonDNQDNQDNQ0
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg ZaborowskiDNQ0
Flag of Germany.svg Eugen GruppDNQ0
Pos.Driver OUL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
BRH
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
SNE
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
MAL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
ZAN
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
DON
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
THR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
OUL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
MAL
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
BRH
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
THR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
SNE
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
Pts
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "1978 AURORA AFX BRITISH F1 CHAMPIONSHIP". motorsportmagazine.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  2. "8W - Who? - Marcus Pye". www.forix.com. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  3. "Formula 1 - 3-litre Formula 1 (1966 - 1985)". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.