South African Drivers Championship 1968 onwards

[allenbrown]

Ian's offer to help me with South African F5000 cars triggered me to sort out the results for the South African series, starting in 1968 as that's the season F5000s first arrived. As in the thread on the 1971 Australian Gold Star, I'd like to publish the results here and also sort out all the cars that appeared.

Below is a chronological list of the cars that appeared in the 1968 season, with as much as I can tell you about them. Can anyone fill in any gaps?

Cape South Easter Trophy (R1 Killarney 6 January 1968)

First race of the period covered so there's lots of old cars to cover off. I mostly understand the 3-litre F1 and F5000 stuff but the little and older machinery is a puzzle. All comments most welcome.

Beltoise, Jean-Pierre - (F2) 1.6-litre Matra MS7 [MS7-03] - Cosworth FVA 4

His SA GP ballasted F2 car. This car didn't stay in South Africa.

Blokdyk, Trevor - Cooper T56 - Lotus LF

Specification unknown. Presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam. Car origin unknown. According to F1R, Blokdyk has been racing a lowline Cooper of some description (T53, T56 or T59) since the start of 1964.

Charlton, Dave - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT22 [F1-2-64] - Repco V8

As seen in previous years. New for the 1966 season but now with a proper F1 Repco V8. Later in 1968, after Charlton got his Lola T140, this car was driven by Jefferies, Tony (R4 South African Republic Festival Kyalami 1 June 1968 and R5 Natal Winter Trophy Roy Hesketh 23 June 1968) and by Charlton, Arnold (R9 Rand Spring Trophy Kyalami 5 October 1968).

Dave, Leo - (1.5 F1) 1.5-litre Alfa Special - Alfa Romeo 4

The ancient Alfa Special first seen at Kyalami March 1962 driven by de Klerk. Presumably still with a 1500cc Alfa 4. Later in 1968, this car was driven by Labuschagne, Fred (three races starting at R7 Rand Winter Trophy Kyalami 3 August 1968).

Harris, Allen - (Tasman) 2.5-litre Cooper T79 [FL-1-65] - Climax FPF 4

The ex-Love car. Presumably still with a 2.5-litre engine. Would return to the UK a few years later.

Jefferies, Tony - (F1) Cooper T55 [F1-11-61] - Climax FPF 4

The older ex-Love Cooper. What engine did this have by now?

Love, John - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT20 [F1-1-66] - Repco V8

Love's 1967 car, just about to be replaced. Later in the season, this car was driven by Klerk, Piet de (R9 Rand Spring Trophy Kyalami 5 October 1968).

McNicol, John - Lotus 20 [20-J-867] - Lotus LF

Almost as old as the Alfa Special, the F1R identify this as the ex-Dave Charlton Lotus 20 first seen in SA in 1962. Chassis number from F1R. Engine unclear but presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam.

Parnell, Peter - Brabham BT18 [F2-2-66] - Lotus LF

OK, I'm baffled by this one straight away. The BT18 was a F2/F3 design but "F2-2-66" does not appear in F1R as one of the F2 cars. Number from F1R. Engine also unknown but presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam. From the Rand Winter
Trophy (R7 Kyalami 3 August 1968), Parnell fits the car with a Cosworth FVA. Would this have been a 1600cc?

Popering, Leo van - (1.5 F1) 1.5-litre LDS [06] - Alfa Romeo 4

One of the most perplexing of the LDS cars. This was Serrurier's 1962/1963 LDS-Alfa, replaced with his new 2-litre LDS-Climax at the end of 1964. Sold to van Popering 1965. I call this "06" but I know opinions and numbering systems vary. Presumably still with a 1500cc Alfa 4.

Pretorius, Jackie - (F1) 2.7-litre Brabham BT11A [IC-5-64] - Climax FPF 4

The ex-Brabham Tasman BT11A originally brought to SA by Otelle Nucci for de Klerk to drive in 1965. Then to Luki Botha for 1967, fitted with a Repco V8, crashed and rebuilt with a 2.7-litre Climax for Pretorius.

Puzey, Clive - (F1) 1.6-litre LDS [08] - Ford 4

A slightly easier LDS. Built new for Holme late 1965 to a Brabham BT10 pattern (using the Willment car) and fitted with a Lotus Twin Cam at first. Engine in 1968 unknown but presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam. Later in the season this car was driven by Rowe, John (2 races starting at Coupe Gouvernador Genérale Lourenço Marques 21 July 1968)

Straaten, George van - Cooper T56 - Lotus LF

As raced late 1967. As with Blokdyk, specification unknown. Presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam. Car origin also unknown.

Tingle, Sam - (F1) 3-litre LDS [10] - Repco V8

Another easier LDS. Built new for Tingle late 1965. A 2.7-litre Climax at first but now with a full F1 Repco V8.


Rand Autumn Trophy (R2 Kyalami 30 March 1968)

All sorts of new machinery at this race, including a Lotus 49, two Brabham BT24s and two F5000s.

Love, John - (F1) 3-litre Lotus 49 [R3] - Cosworth DFV V8

Newly acquired ex-works.

McKenzie, Brian - Lotus 31 [31JP-2-65] - Ford

As raced late 1967. Number from F1R but engine and origins unknown.

Olthoff, Bob - McLaren M3A [3] - Ford V8

Constructed in South Africa using the remains of the crashed M3A/3 and some sports car components.

Pretorius, Jackie - Lola T140 [SL140/4] - Ford V8

Brand new F5000. Completed in South Africa using some T70 sports car components.

Rooyen, Basil - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT24 [1] - Repco V8

Newly acquired ex-works.

Ruane, Richard - Lotus 20 [20-J-952] - Lotus LF

Another antique Lotus 20. If F1R have got this one right, it was Bernie Podmore's car in early 1962. Engine spec unknown.

Tingle, Sam - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT24 [2] - Repco V8

Newly acquired ex-works.


Coronation "100" (R3 Roy Hesketh 15 April 1968)

Rankin, Fred - Cooper T56 - Alfa Romeo 4

Another mystery 1961 Formula Junior (apparantly). Anyone know?


Bulawayo "100" (Kumalo 5 May 1968)

The first trip to Rhodesia brings out a pair of old LDS cars.

Domingo, Mike - (F1) 2-litre LDS [07] - Climax FPF 4

The Domingo LDS was Serrurier's 1964 car, which I call "07". I presume this still had its 2-litre Climax at this stage.

Ward, Chris - 1.5-litre LDS [01] - Alfa Romeo 4

Also out was Chris Ward's original ex-Tingle LDS "01".


Coupe Gouvernador Genérale (Lourenço Marques 21 July 1968)

Charlton, Arnold - Lotus 21 [952] - Climax FPF 4

Another non-championship race unearths this old Scuderia Scribante Lotus 21. Anyone know what size engine this is likely to have had?


Rand Spring Trophy (R9 Kyalami 5 October 1968)

Charlton, Dave - Lola T140 [SL140/14] - Chevrolet V8

Dave Charlton gets his brand new F5000 Lola and wins first time out.


Rhodesian GP (R10 Kumalo 1 December 1968)

Back to Rhodesia for the final round and various oddities appear on the entry list quoted by F1R.

Ackermann, Kipp - Lotus 51 [51A-FF44] - Ford

Absolutely no idea.

Goddard, Fred - FMG 1 - Lotus LF

Ditto

Henderson, Dave - (F1) 2-litre LDS [09] - Climax FPF 4

The sixth LDS to appear is yet another ex-Serrurier LDS, this one the sister car to Holme's "08". One thing I have never been able to figure out is when Serrurier stopped driving "07" and started driving "09". I guess this had the 2-litre FPF it was first fitted with but I really don't know.

Pretorius, Peter - Cooper T52 - Climax FPF 4

Once again, absolutely no idea.


All contributions, no matter how small, warmly welcomed.

I'll post race results here later.

Allen

[Bryan Miller]

Allen.

This is all from memory from many years ago.
Ivan Glasby bought over to OZ a Lotus 31 , and I tried to sort out it's history pre. Sth Africa.
The car was McKenzies , and many years after 1968 it fell on hard times , was rebuilt and went historic racing by I think an Airline Pilot over in Sth Africa/ Rhodesia ???
He had a bad accident and the remains were what Ivan bought to Oz, and they have been sold to N.Z. many years ago I believe.
The point of this ramble is , I managed to track it back to the U.K. for Ivan , and it was a car used / or sold by a Mr. Ken Luscombe-Whyte mid 60's .
It may be a help, what we could not ascertain was ch.no. as plate had gone awol.
Maybe Ianheb can add some more. Bryan.

[allenbrown]

Thanks Bryan

This was a 1-litre F3 originally, I presume. Did you manage to work out what engine McKenzie used in it? I wonder where F1R got "31JP-2-65".

Allen

[allenbrown]

I just realised I completely forgot to mention (and acknowledge) my sources.

The basic data came from Jeremy Jackson, who had used Autosport and the original F1R data, and was cross-checked against the Peter McIntosh F1R book.

Chassis numbers of F1 and F5000 cars come from the research being published on OldRacingCars.com. Chassis numbers of smaller cars are taken from F1R material.

Sorry!!

Allen

[Bryan Miller]

Allen.

You would be safe with Ford eng.
Chassis no. is a strange one , 4 Lotus 31 cars went to Motor Racing Stables as school cars according to Motor Racing May 1965 , 1 x with 55bhp eng , 1 x 75 bhp , 2 x Mae , all fords. , but I have a note that there were S1 and S2 versions ???school 1 and school 2 , with a run of only about 12 cars , hardly time for an update model.
Still doesn't explain 31 JP 2 65 , as according to Doug Nye these cars were 1964 production , so another of lifes little chassis no. mysteries.

Bryan.

[Milan Fistonic]

Harris, Allen - (Tasman) 2.5-litre Cooper T79 [FL-1-65] - Climax FPF 4

The ex-Love car. Presumably still with a 2.5-litre engine. Would return to the UK a few years later.


From Motoring News

Alan Harris in John Love's old Cooper Climax 2.7 which Basil van Rooyen drove in the S.A. Grand Prix...

Parnell's car is listed in the rsults as Brabham Ford-Lotus

[Milan Fistonic]

Blokdyk, Trevor - Cooper T56 - Lotus LF

Specification unknown. Presumably a 1600cc Lotus Twin Cam. Car origin unknown. According to F1R, Blokdyk has been racing a lowline Cooper of some description (T53, T56 or T59) since the start of 1964.


Again from Motoring News

Photo caption

Five of the nine competitiors in the Formula 1 race. Sam Tingle in his LDS-Repco leads Leo Dave's Alfa Special, Trevor Blokdyk's old Cooper Mk.3A t/c, Alan Harris in John Love's Cooper-Climax and Peter Parnell (Brabham t/c).

[Milan Fistonic]

From Motoring News June 6, 1968

Tiny Littler was racing his "recently acquired ex-Johm Love F1 2.7 Climax-engined Cooper" at Silverstone on Monday June 3, 1968.

[Milan Fistonic]

Domingo, Mike - (F1) 2-litre LDS [07] - Climax FPF 4

The Domingo LDS was Serrurier's 1964 car, which I call "07". I presume this still had its 2-litre Climax at this stage.

In the Rhodesian GP report the car is listed as a 2-litre.

I see you have the Rhodesian GP as round 10 of the championship. The Motoring News report says that it was a non-championship event.

Also mentioned in the report but DNA were the ex-Tingle LDS with a 2.7 Climax motor owned and entered by D. Henderson and the ex-Love Repco Brabham now owned by SA Sports Car Champion, Jack Holme and driven by Peter de Klerk.

"Run concurrently with the main race was the 1600cc Gold Star class which was headed by Peter Parnell in his Brabham FVA; S. Domingo in a two=litre LDS Climax; P.D. Pretorius in a two-lite Cooper Climax; G.S. Ackerman in a 1.6-litre Lotus Ford and Clive Puzey in another Jack Holme entry, a 1.6 LDS Ford."

[allenbrown]

Milan - thanks for all your help here. Let's see how this all fits into place.

Blokdyk, Trevor - Cooper "T56" - Lotus LF

Car changed to Cooper T65. Doug Nye's Cooper Cars p243 says of the 1963 Formula Junior: 'listed as "Formula Junior Mark IV" in the Register, but became known popularly as the Mark 3A'. This car was built in 1963 and 15 appear in the Cooper Register. Blokdyk had won at Nogaro in 1962 in a Cooper Mark II (i.e. 1961 T56) and the F1 Register book shows him returning to South African competition in a Hoffman Racing T59-Alfa (i.e. a 1962 car) in October 1962. In 1963, F1R show him in a T59-Alfa at first and then alternating between a T53-Alfa (1961 F1!) and a T51 "F2-16-60" with a Maser 150S engine. (F2-16-60, in case you're wondering, was the T51 delivered to John Love South Africa in October 1960.)

Continuing through the F1R book, 1964 sees Blokdyk continue with these two cars but he then becomes suspiciously competitive in the latter half of the season, winning two events, and one wonders if he'd acquired something more competitive. A redundant one-year-old ex-FJ T65 for example? He fails to qualify at the 1965 South African GP in a Cooper-Ford. He then goes missing after the opening race of the 1965 season reappearing at the October 1966 Rhodesian GP in a "Cooper T56-Lotus LF". He races a car of the same description a few times in 1967.

So this doesn't help much does it? If the car really was a Mk3A, and I tend to trust Motoring News, I guess I should call it a Cooper T65-Ford (twin-cam). Stiill don’t know the capacity though.

Harris, Allen - (Tasman) 2.5-litre Cooper T79 [FL-1-65] - Climax FPF 4

Name corrected to Alan and engine capacity corrected to 2.7-litre. Car still owned by Love. The Cooper was in the UK by June that year.

Tingle, Sam - (F1) 3-litre LDS [10] - Repco V8

Another easier LDS. Built new for Tingle late 1965. A 2.7-litre Climax at first but now with a full F1 Repco V8. After Tingle got his Brabham BT24, the LDS was refitted with its 2.7-litre Climax and sold to Dave Henderson. Was a DNA at the Rhodesian GP.

Love, John - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT20 [F1-1-66] - Repco V8

Love's 1967 car, just about to be replaced. Later in the season, sold to SA Sports Car Champion, Jack Holme and driven by Klerk, Piet de (R9 Rand Spring Trophy Kyalami 5 October 1968 and Rhodesian GP 1 December 1968).


Then that “1600cc class” at the Rhodesian GP looks very intriguing. Parnell’s Brabham-FVA, Puzey’s LDS-Ford and Ackerman’s Lotus-Ford seem to be pinpointed as 1600cc but what are a pair of 2-litre Climax FPFs doing in a 1600cc class? Does anyone know what classes they had in the South African series?

And did you mean "S. Domingo" or was that a typo?

Allen

[Milan Fistonic]

Originally posted by allenbrown
Milan - thanks for all your help here. Let's see how this all fits into place.

Love, John - (F1) 3-litre Brabham BT20 [F1-1-66] - Repco V8

Love's 1967 car, just about to be replaced. Later in the season, sold to SA Sports Car Champion, Jack Holme and driven by Klerk, Piet de (R9 Rand Spring Trophy Kyalami 5 October 1968 and Rhodesian GP 1 December 1968).

Piet de klerk was a DNA at Rhodesia GP

Then that “1600cc class” at the Rhodesian GP looks very intriguing. Parnell’s Brabham-FVA, Puzey’s LDS-Ford and Ackerman’s Lotus-Ford seem to be pinpointed as 1600cc but what are a pair of 2-litre Climax FPFs doing in a 1600cc class? Does anyone know what classes they had in the South African series?

And did you mean "S. Domingo" or was that a typo?

Not a typo but it still could be wrong



Do you have confirmation from another scource that the Rhodesian GP was part of the championship? Charlton was not listed as an entrant because his sponsors were not interested in paying for him to do a non-championship event and it was only after the organisers and Shell made it worth his while that he lodged a late entry.

[allenbrown]

Originally posted by allenbrown
Blokdyk, Trevor - Cooper "T56" - Lotus LF

Car changed to Cooper T65. Doug Nye's Cooper Cars p243 says of the 1963 Formula Junior: 'listed as "Formula Junior Mark IV" in the Register, but became known popularly as the Mark 3A'. This car was built in 1963 and 15 appear in the Cooper Register. Blokdyk had won at Nogaro in 1962 in a Cooper Mark II (i.e. 1961 T56) and the F1 Register book shows him returning to South African competition in a Hoffman Racing T59-Alfa (i.e. a 1962 car) in October 1962. In 1963, F1R show him in a T59-Alfa at first and then alternating between a T53-Alfa (1961 F1!) and a T51 "F2-16-60" with a Maser 150S engine. (F2-16-60, in case you're wondering, was the T51 delivered to John Love South Africa in October 1960.)

Continuing through the F1R book, 1964 sees Blokdyk continue with these two cars but he then becomes suspiciously competitive in the latter half of the season, winning two events, and one wonders if he'd acquired something more competitive. A redundant one-year-old ex-FJ T65 for example? He fails to qualify at the 1965 South African GP in a Cooper-Ford. He then goes missing after the opening race of the 1965 season reappearing at the October 1966 Rhodesian GP in a "Cooper T56-Lotus LF". He races a car of the same description a few times in 1967.

So this doesn't help much does it? If the car really was a Mk3A, and I tend to trust Motoring News, I guess I should call it a Cooper T65-Ford (twin-cam). Stiill don’t know the capacity though.

Well I thought this wasn't helping but it did trigger my good friend Ted Walker to ferret around in some papers and produce these pictures:




(Click through for larger images)

These were taken recently in the US where the car was offered for sale. Clearly it is untouched since last used in South Africa and Ted assures me it is a Mk3A.

It's amazing what Ted has got!

Allen

[allenbrown]

Forgot to mention - another picture showed that it still had a Lotus Twin Cam. Also forgot to mention that F1R show #2 as Blokdyk's usual number.

Allen

[Milan Fistonic]

Allen

Here's some more info from the first 1969 race at Killarny on January 11.It's from Motoring News January 30, 1969.

Basil van Rooyen - McLaren M7A chasis No 1.

John Love - Lotus 49 - R3

Sam Tingle - Brabham BT24 Repco 740 V8 - Chassis No. 2

Bobby Olthoff - Ex-David Prophet Group 7 McLaren M1B-based FA/F5000 single seater. Waiting for FoMoCo parts to increase the 5-litre Ford engine by another 300cc.

Jackie Pretorious - Doug Serrurier's Group 7 Lola T70-based, now modified to FA/F5000 T140 specification but still with its original 4.7-litre Ford engine.

Dave Charlton - Scuderia Scribante 5-litre FA/F5000 Lola T140

Clive Puzey - Jack Holme's ex-Love 3-litre Brabham BT20 repco 620 V8.

Peter Parnell - ex-Mosley F2 Brabham BT23C FVA 1600cc

[allenbrown]

Milan - thanks again. The new car/driver pairings for 1969 were:

NEW CARS FOR 1969

McGillewie, Garth has a Brabham BT23C. F1R say it is BT23C/10 and is running a FVA. Presumably a 1600cc. Anyone confirm the chassis number and engine capacity? Ted - you reading this?

McNicol, John has a new Lola T142 [SL142/23] - Ford V8. Number from Lola records.

Parnell, Peter has an ex-Mosley 1600cc Brabham BT23C-FVA. F1R say it is BT23C/6. Anyone know for sure?

Pretorius, Jackie and Serrurier have a new Lola T142 [SL142/25] - Ford V8. Number from Lola records but Ian has pointed out that some contemporary chassis number spotters called it SL142/26. As Milan points out, this was a T142 chassis but most of Doug’s T70 bits.

Rooyen, Basil van has acquired McLaren M7A [1] - Cosworth DFV V8.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS FOR 1969

Amm, John took over Parnell’s Brabham BT18 [F2-2-66], which F1R says now has a Climax FPF 4 (presumably because the FVA is going into Parnell’s new Brabham BT23C). Does anyone know the later history of F2-2-66?

Domingo, Joe has the 2-litre LDS [07] - Climax FPF 4 raced by his brother in 1968.

Driver, Paddy has Serrurier’s ex-Pretorius Lola T140 [SL140/4] - Ford V8.

Henderson, Gordon has the ex-Love Brabham BT24 [1] - Repco V8.

Holme, Jack tries out his old 1.6-litre LDS [08] - Ford 4.

Puzey, Clive gets a run in Holme's ex-Love Brabham BT20 [F1-1-66] - Repco V8.

Rowe, John does too.

Townsend, Terry gets an outing in Scribante’s old 3-litre Brabham BT22 [F1-2-64] - Repco V8.

Not too many mysteries here but we still have a few from 1968:
1. Was there a separate 1600cc ‘Gold Star’ class in SA racing around this time and did it allow 2-litre Climax engines for some obscure reason?
2. What capacity engine was in Tony Jefferies’ Cooper T55-Climax?
3. Ditto John McNicol’s Lotus 20-Lotus LF
4. Ditto Peter Parnell’s Brabham BT18 (both its twin cam and its FVA)
5. Ditto Leo van Popering’s LDS-Alfa Romeo
6. Ditto the Jack Holme LDS-twin-cam
7. Ditto Richard Ruane’s Lotus 20-twin-cam
8. Ditto Arnold Charlton’s Scuderia Scribante Lotus 21-Climax
9. Ditto Kipp Ackermann’s Lotus 51-Ford
10. Does anyone know anything at all about George van Straaten’s Cooper ‘T56’-twin-cam?
11. Does anyone know anything at all about Fred Rankin’s Cooper ‘T56’-Alfa?
12. Does anyone know anything at all about Fred Goddard’s FMG 1?
13. Does anyone know anything at all about Peter Pretorius’ Cooper ‘T52’-Climax?

Thanks all

Allen