History of the Grand Prix car (1945-1965) – part 3

1950 and BRMs driven by Parnell and Walker take on the Ferraris and Alfa Romeos

History of the Grand Prix car (1945-1965) – part 2

The beginning of BRM. Racing at Silverstone and more

History of the Grand Prix car (1945-1965) – part 1

An in depth look at the mechanical development of the Grand Prix car 1945 – 1965

History of Motor Racing – part 7

MG Midgets, MG Magnette, Alfa Romeos and more in the 1930s

Donnington Park race track declares bankruptcy

It’s been a mixed year for the Donington Park racing circuit. The British race track hosted a Formula One race back in 1993, and was set to take over the British Grand Prix from Silverstone until the race promoter fell on hard times.

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd signed a 150-year lease with Wheatcroft & Sons Ltd, owners of the circuit just two years ago with the aim of bringing F1 racing back to the track. But the company failed to raise the capital necessary to bring the track’s facilities up to F1 standards. Now, apparently the 17-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management has hit the rocks.

Its prospects and finances in ruins, Donington Ventures has declared bankruptcy and entered administration. Now the lease could become available failing that, it will revert to Wheatcroft ownership, the British Grand Prix will likely return to Silverstone for good and Donington will go back to hosting concerts, touring cars and motorbike races once again.

Schumacher’s controversial 1994 Benetton B194 for sale

If you thought the F1 Championship was packed with controversy these days, the scandals we’ve seen in recent years are nothing compared to the 1994 season. It was the year Ayrton Senna died (along with Roland Ratzenberger) at the San Marino Grand Prix. But aside from that tradgedy, the ’94 championship was settled in one of the most controversial fashions the sport’s ever seen.

After a hard-fought season, young buck Michael Schumacher (Benetton) and Damon Hill (Williams) arrived in Adelaide for the final round separated by a single point. Both titles would be decided then and there, but on lap 35 the two front-runners collided, ending the race for both. Schumacher was crowned champion — the first of seven career F1 titles — and while many claimed foul play, Williams, still shocked from Senna’s death, lodged no official protest. And now the car it all happened in is up for sale.

Listed on eBay Germany is the 1994 Benetton B194 in which Schumacher won that controversial title. Strangely the car is being sold from Germany, but is actually located in Toronto. The race car has been fully repaired since that pivotal crash, its Ford-Cosworth 3.5-liter V8 rebuilt by UK’s Langford Performance Engineering. It comes with a full compliment of spare parts, including a laptop loaded with the engine management software, two sets of wheels and spare wings.

The auction still has four days to run, but bidding is already topping 2.6 million euros (that’s $5.26M NZD).

Formula 1 Design Race exhibition on at Te Papa

There’s a special focus on automotive design on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, in association with the Formula One — The Great Design Race exhibition held at Wellington’s Te Papa Museum – www.tepapa.govt.nz/f1

The Hulme CanAm ‘Bear 1’ and a Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) will take pride of place in Wellington Foyer, Level 2, all weekend. On Sunday, chief designer Tony Parker of Massey University, and Head of Hulme Supercars Jock Freemantle will give an informative talk about the design of ‘Bear 1’, and the students of Auckland University will give visitors the lowdown on the design of their FSAE car, and how they’re gearing up for this year’s global competition.

Joining them will be motorsport designer David Lovegrove and engineer Craig Russell for expert floortalks in the Formula One â„¢ — The Great Design Race exhibition (entry charges apply). David Lovegrove has over 17 years experience in innovation and design. He worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer for the Tyrrell Racing Organisation from August 1997—May 1998, where he was responsible for bodywork design and regulatory compliance, and the main interface between the Aerodynamics Department and Design Department. Craig Russell has been involved in motorsport engineering for over 20 years. He has worked in New Zealand and overseas with a wide variety of motorsport classes, including both saloon and single seaters for Formula 3 and Formula 1.

On Saturday, there’s an F1 design panel discussion at The Marae, offering a rare chance to hear some of the top designers and commentators candidly discussing their views on F1 technological developments and design rules. David Lovegrove and Craig Russell will be joined by motorsport commentator Bob McMurray and designer Tony Parker for this enlightening discussion.

The popular BA Racer simulators are back in Wellington Foyer, along with some of Kartsport New Zealand’s brand-new racing karts — and you can even enter a draw to win a ‘have a go’ ride at your local track! Visitors can get their hands dirty while experiencing the UCOL pit experience out in the Amphitheatre, Level 1, and the kids can design their own racing car and enter into Te Papa’s F1 design competition after getting tips from design experts.

The Constructors Car Club will be out on the Plaza with an array of unique sports cars and replicas, including a 1959 F1 Ferrari Dino 246. The constructors will be on hand to talk to visitors about their cars.

If you’re interesting in heading along, below is a schedule of how the weekend will break down:

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST
B A Racer simulators
Jump in the driver’s seat and experience the thrill of an F1 car at top speed!
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am-6pm, free entry.

F1 design competition
Kids of all ages — design your very own racing car! Enter it in our competition and you could win a prize for your age group.
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—6pm, free entry.

Designer cars in the Foyer
View two innovative cars — the Hulme CanAm ‘Bear 1’ and a Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) car — and meet the teams who designed them.
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—6pm, free entry.

Karts in the Foyer
Check out some brand-new racing karts, and go in the draw to win a ‘have a go’ ride at your local track!
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—4pm, free entry.

Constructors Car Club
Check out the array of unique sports racing cars and replicas, and chat to the enthusiasts from the Constructors Car Club who built them.
Te Papa Plaza, outside the entrance | 10am—4pm, free entry.

UCOL pit crew experience
Check out the racing pit being set up at Te Papa by the Universal College of Learning (UCOL). Then get your hands dirty and experience being part of the team!
The Amphitheatre, outside Te Papa Cafe, Level 1 | 11am—4pm, free entry.

Expert floortalks
Join a motorsport designer and an engineer and get the inside info on how F1 designs of the past have shaped the cars of today.
Visa Platinum Gallery, Level 4 | 11am—12 noon, admission charges apply.

Expert tips for young F1 designers!
Kids, hear from the experts about the features of a Formula One car, and take away tips to help you win our weekend design competition!
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 12.30pm—1.30pm, free entry.

The issues of F1 design — panel discussion
Find out how the elements of F1 design have evolved, and hear expert views on technology, design rules, and other topical issues in the sport today.
The Marae, Level 4 | 2.30pm—3.30pm, free entry.

SUNDAY 16 AUGUST
B A Racer simulators
Jump in the driver’s seat and experience the thrill of an F1 car at top speed!
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—6pm, free entry.

F1 design competition
Kids of all ages — design your very own racing car! Enter it in our competition and you could win a prize for your age group.
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—6pm, free entry.

Designer cars in the Foyer
View two innovative cars — the Hulme CanAm ‘Bear 1’ and a Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) car — and meet the teams who designed them.
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—6pm, free entry.

Karts in the Foyer
Check out some brand-new racing karts, and go in the draw to win a ‘have a go’ ride at your local track!
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 10am—4pm, free entry.

Constructors Car Club
Check out the array of unique sports racing cars and replicas, and chat to the enthusiasts from the Constructors Car Club who built them.
Te Papa Plaza, outside the entrance | 10am—4pm, free entry.

UCOL pit crew experience
Check out the racing pit being set up at Te Papa by the Universal College of Learning (UCOL). Then get your hands dirty and experience being part of the team!
The Amphitheatre, outside Te Papa Cafe, Level 1 | 11am—4pm, free entry.

Expert floortalks
Join a motorsport designer and an engineer and get the inside info on how F1 designs of the past have shaped the cars of today.
Visa Platinum Gallery, Level 4 | 11am—12 noon, admission charges apply.

Hulme CanAm supercar — expert talk
Get the lowdown on this high-performance road car from chief designer Tony Parker of Massey University and the Head of Hulme Supercars Jock Freemantle.
Wellington Foyer, Level 2 | 12.30pm—1.15pm, free entry.

Student racing-car designers take on the world
Hear how Auckland University students have designed and built small Formula Oneâ„¢-style racing cars, and how they’re gearing up for this year’s global competition!
Soundings Theatre, Level 2 | 1.30pm—2.30pm, free entry.

Trio at the Top (2001) documentary
An engrossing documentary showcasing the achievements of New Zealand’s three greatest F1 drivers.
Soundings Theatre, Level 2 | 3pm—4.30pm, free entry.