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British manufacturer and Formula One constructor, March Engineering began operation in 1969 by its four founders, Max Mosley, Alan Rees, Graham Coaker and Robin Herd. The name 'March' was chosen by using initials from their first or last names. Each of these individuals brought unique qualities and talents to the team. Herd was the designer, Rees was the team's manager, Coaker oversaw production, and Mosley handled the commercial side of the operation.
The purpose of the company was to provide chassis for customers competing in all racing categories. In 1969 the company built a Formula 3 car. A year later they produced an F1 racer, the 701, which they used for team competition and to supply to privateers. In the non-championship Race of Champions, Jackie Stewart gave March its first F1 victory. He won the Spanish Grand Prix a month later.
In the years to come, the company would become more successful in more classes, except for the F1 program, than any other manufacturer. Their products appeared in Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Ford 1600, and CanAm.
The teams first Formula B/Atlantic car was the 705 of which, there were five created. It had a space-frame chassis and a Hewland FT200. Design inspiration had come from the company's first car, the Type 693 Formula 3 racer. The company's next Formula B/Atlantic car was the 712B/71B. These had a monocoque chassis based on the 712M Formula 2 car and the 713M Formula 3 car. Power was from a twin-cam Ford unit.
In 1972 the Company introduced the 722 for Formula Atlantic competition in the European market, and the 72B for Formula B competition in the US. The 73B was the 1973 March Formula Atlantic/B racer. The 74B was the Formula Atlantic/B racer for 1974. This basic naming sequence was used until 1982, when March ended their production of Formula Atlantic/B racers. As early as 1979, the letter 'A' had replaced the letter 'B' in the naming sequence for March Formula Atlantic/B racers. There were 25 examples of the 80A Ford-powered racers constructed in 1980 by March.
The purpose of the company was to provide chassis for customers competing in all racing categories. In 1969 the company built a Formula 3 car. A year later they produced an F1 racer, the 701, which they used for team competition and to supply to privateers. In the non-championship Race of Champions, Jackie Stewart gave March its first F1 victory. He won the Spanish Grand Prix a month later.
In the years to come, the company would become more successful in more classes, except for the F1 program, than any other manufacturer. Their products appeared in Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Ford 1600, and CanAm.
The teams first Formula B/Atlantic car was the 705 of which, there were five created. It had a space-frame chassis and a Hewland FT200. Design inspiration had come from the company's first car, the Type 693 Formula 3 racer. The company's next Formula B/Atlantic car was the 712B/71B. These had a monocoque chassis based on the 712M Formula 2 car and the 713M Formula 3 car. Power was from a twin-cam Ford unit.
In 1972 the Company introduced the 722 for Formula Atlantic competition in the European market, and the 72B for Formula B competition in the US. The 73B was the 1973 March Formula Atlantic/B racer. The 74B was the Formula Atlantic/B racer for 1974. This basic naming sequence was used until 1982, when March ended their production of Formula Atlantic/B racers. As early as 1979, the letter 'A' had replaced the letter 'B' in the naming sequence for March Formula Atlantic/B racers. There were 25 examples of the 80A Ford-powered racers constructed in 1980 by March.
| Formula AtlanticThe SCCA Formula B class was created in the 1960s as a single-seat formula series with engine capacities not to exceed 1600 cc in capacity. The Formula Atlantic class began in England in 1971 and borrowed the rules form the US Formula B series. The engines, mostly provided by Costworth / Ford, were 1600 cc in capacity and featured twin-cams. The performance of the cars were similar to the Formula Two series but the cost was considerably less. This was the goal of the founder of the series, John Webb. The chassis of the cars were similar to Formula Two and Formula Three cars, which made production of the Formula Atlantic vehicles easier for the manufacturers that were familiar with the F2 and F3 series. Marques such as Chevron, Ralt, Lotus, Brabham, March, and Reynard produced vehicles for this series. |
| Formula BThe SCCA Formula B class was created in the 1960s as a single-seat formula series with engine capacities not to exceed 1600 cc in capacity. The Formula Atlantic class began in England in 1971 and borrowed the rules form the US Formula B series. The engines, mostly provided by Costworth / Ford, were 1600 cc in capacity and featured twin-cams. |
| Formula 2Formula 2, commonly abbreviated as F2, was introduced in 1947 and would remain in existence until 1985 when it was replaced by Formula 3000. F2 enabled drivers who could not get a seat in Formula 1 to compete internationally. In terms of open-wheeled auto racing, Formula One is the pinnacle of the sport and the dream of the aspiring driver. The high speeds and costs associated with F1 are great; F2 has provided a means of allowing a driver to mature and gain experience before venturing on to the next step. In pre-war time, the F2 sport was often known as 'voiturette' which means 'small car.' Voiturette racing cars were permitted 1.5-liter supercharged engines while the Grand Prix cars were allowed 3.0-liter supercharged or 4.5-liter size in naturally aspirated form. After the war, Formula A and B were introduced, later known as 1 and 2 respectively. Formula A allowed 4.5-liter supercharged cars. Formula B/2 had smaller, less powerful cars than those used in Formula A/1. The rules stated that the engines in F2 were to at most 2-liters in size; 750cc if a supercharge was used. This allowed smaller marques to build racers without having to compete with the most dominate and well-established manufacturers. In 1952-53 Formula 2 counted for the Drivers World Championship, since Formula One had become so expensive that were so few entrants. Non-championship F1 races were still held during this time. In 1954 the rules of F1 changed allowing 2.5-liter engines which drew some of the popularity away from F2. F2 rules were changed in 1957 limiting engine sizes to 1.5-liters. The dominant engine of choice was the Coventry-Climax FPF four-cylinder. In 1967 FIA introduced the European Championship for Drivers for F2 category. This had many Formula One drivers switching to F2. The grading system in F2 allowed this; any driver with an 'A' grade was not permitted to score championship points. The 'A' grade was earned through various means such proving themselves in Grand Prix or World Sports Car events. This allowed the less experienced drivers the opportunity to works towards a championship victory and to mature their careers. It allowed the seasoned drivers an opportunity to continue their driving passion and improve their skills during the off-season of Grand Prix racing. In 1972 the engine size was increased to 2-liter production based engines. In 1976 the rules were modified to allow engines that had been created if the intent were purely for racing. Near the close of the 1970's and into the early 1980's, the costs to compete had sky-rocketed. Works racers had become the dominate force of contention and privateers were unable to keep pace. Interest in the sport dwindled as drivers left for other series. By 1984, the Formula Two series was replaced with Formula 3000. |
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Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix |
2005 Jefferson 500 |
1976 March 76B |
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| Year | 1976 |
| Make | March |
| Model | 76B |
| Engine Location | Rear |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Aluminum, Monocoque |
| Production Years for Series | 1976 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Engine | Cosworth |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 1600.00 cc | 97.6 cu in. | 1.6 L. |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
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