1962 Scirocco F1

At the end of the 1961 season, American Hugh Powell took over Emeryson cars and revamped the team for the 1962 season. The team was re-named Scirocco-Powerll Racing and soon a new version of the Emeryson design was introduced and given the Scirocco designation and BRM V8 engines. They had a semi-monocoque and tube frame design and were fitted with Colotti six-speed gearboxes. Two cars were completed. A third, a spare, chassis was later assembled in 1964 and sold to Canada. Williams & Pritchard constructed the aluminum bodywork for the Sciroccos, which were finished in the American racing colours, blue and white for the works team cars.

In June of 1963 at the Belgian Grand Prix, the new Scirocco F1 car (chassis number SP-1-63) made its debut being driven by Tony Settember. Unfortunately, the car was involved in an accident. A second car (chassis SP-2-63) was ready in time for the British Grand Prix in July and driven by Ian Burgess, a former factory manager of Cooper cars. The car was narrower than the chassis built for the larger Settember, and lighter. Burgess qualified 20th. Unfortunately, both of the Scirocco cars retired due to mechanical trouble.

At the German GP, both cars were involved in accidents. At the non-championship Austrian Grand Prix in September, Settember finished second (though he finished five laps behind the first place finisher, Jack Brabham).

At the close of the season, the team closed down.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012