1983 RAM Racing March 831

The RAM Racing team was founded by Mike Ralph and John Macdonald and was based in the United Kingdom. The name 'RAM' was derived from the founders' name. It competed in Formula One from 1976 to 1985 and used other manufacturers' chassis from 1976 to 1980. They ran March's team from 1981 to 1983 before entering their own in 1984 and 1985. In 1983, the RAM name could be found on the chassis for the first time, with Dave Kelly's RAM March 01 design. The chassis was driven by Eliseo Salazar. A second car was driven by Jean-Louis Schlesser at the French Grand Prix as a one-off.

The South African Grand Prix had started the 1982 season, but the 1983 season was moved to the end of the year. The 1983 season began in Brazil, where Salazar scored 15th place. The car proved to be bulky and difficult to qualify for competition. Due to financial problems, they skipped the Detroit Grand Prix. They raced at the Canadian Grand Prix by finding Canadian sponsorship and using local driver Jacques Villeneuve, Sr. Kenny Acheson drove for the remainder of the season, only qualifying once, at the South African Grand Prix, where he finished in 12th (and last position) - the team's best result of the year.

After the 1983 season, the partnership with March was dissolved, yet RAM Racing continued to compete. They attracted sponsorship from Skoal Bandit and fielded two RAM 02 cars powered by Hart turbo engines.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2016