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1983 March 832

The March 832 was created in 1983 and used in Formula 2 competition. Power was provided by BMW, and the design was courtesy of Ralph Bellamy. A few of the cars were later converted into CanAm cars for competition in the under-2-liter category.

For the 1983 Formula 2 season, Onyx Racing finished third in points with Bepe Gabbiani driving. Fellow Onyx teammates Christian Danner, Thierry Tassin, and Dave Scott finished in 5th, 7th, and 17th, respectively. Other teams using March chassis were Gresham Racing which fielded three vehicles, finishing in 13th, 16th, and 19th. BMW France finished in 15th with their March. SAR finished in 20, 22, and 23 with their March.

The Onyx team was formed by Mike Earle and Jo Chamberlain, which began racing in Formula 2 and later to Formula 3000 and eventually switched to Formula One. While in F2, they took over the factory works team for March, near the close of the formula's existence. They were in Formula 3000 for a short time before they were able to secure funding to field an Alan Jenkins-designed car powered by a Cosworth engine. During the team's F1 endeavors, they participated in 26 Grand Prix races, each time fielding two cars for a total of 52 entries. Stefan Johansson was able to score one podium finish and earned six championship points.

by Dan Vaughan

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.

March Engineering's first Formula 2 racer was the 702. There were six examples of this racer constructed. They were constructed of a space frame chassis and powered by a Cosworth MAE engine matted to a Hewland MK6 gearbox. In 1971, the 712M Formula 2 racer was introduced, of which, twenty examples were constructed. Power came from BMW and Cosworth engines, with most being equipped with a Hewland FT200 gearbox. Both engines were excellent choices. The BMW four-cylinder units produced six Formula 2 Championships during the 1970s and were one of the most dominant power plants in any class of racing.

The naming scheme for the Formula 2 racers continued through the years. The 1972 F2 racer was dubbed the 722. For 1973, the team's Formula 2 racer was the 732. For 1974, the racer was the 742, 752 in 1975, and the 762 for 1976.

For 1978 the team focused heavily on their Formula 2 racers for the works BMW team. Bruno Giacomelli and his 782 was a strong contender in the 1978 season and would eventually go on to win the F2 title.

In the 1979 European Formula 2 season, Marc Surer drove a BMW-powered March 792 to the championship. Ground effects on the cars also played a major role. There were 32 examples of the 792 constructed, built atop a monocoque chassis, and most were powered by the potent 300-horsepower BMW engine.

March Engineering's involvement with Formula 2 competition continued until around the mid-1980s.

by Dan Vaughan