1978 Wolf WR6

Walter Wolf formed his own team in 1976. The prior year, he had provided financial support for the Frank Williams team. In his first year of competition, he used ex-Hesketh/Williams chassis. The Cosworth power V8 cars were old and did not score well.

Disappointed with the results, Wolf decided to build a proper F1 car for the 1977 season. Harvey Postlethwaite, of Hesketh fame, was hired as the designer. Postlethwaite created an aluminum monocoque with the DFV Ford/Cosworth engine bolted directly on the frame and acting as a stressed member. The result was dubbed the WR1 and it made its racing debut at the 1977 season opener, the Argentinean Grand Prix. In the capable hands of factory team driver Jody Scheckter, the car scored its first victory. Two more victories were earned throughout the season along with several podium finishes. In total, there were four examples of the WR1 produced (WR1 - WR4).

In 1978, the WR1 raced for the first part of the season, though it was showing its age and was off the pace compared to the competition. The new ground effects Wolf F1 entry was introduced, dubbed the WR5. It would not enjoy the same success as its predecessor and at the end of the season, Scheckter left the team and joined Ferrari.

For 1979, the string of poor finishes continued, and at the end of the season, the cars were purchased by the Fittipaldi team.

WR4 was driven by Desire Wilson at the 1980 Brand Hatch race of the British National Championship.

by Dan Vaughan

Monoposto
Chassis number: WR6-2

The 'Wing car' and ground effects made Grand Prix winners in 1978 and designer Harvey Postlethwaite rushed to catch up with the WR5 and 6. While not a winner, this car did have its moments with Jody Scheckter scoring points in five races, including two 2nd place finishes, during 1979. Team owner Walter Wolf began to lose interest during 1979 and the team was merged with Fittipaldi. American Bobby Rahal drove the second team car in his Grand Prix debut at the U.S. Grand Prix where he finished a very creditable 12th.

Power is from a Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine displacing 2993cc and offering 475 horsepower. There is a Hewland FGA400 6-speed gearbox and Goodyear tires.

Monoposto
Chassis number: WR6-2

Walter Wolf Racing was formed in 1976. A new car was designed (WR1-4) for driver Jody Scheckter for 1977 and while they had a very successful season, wing car design and ground effects made winners in 1978 and designer Harvey Postlewhaite rushed to catch up with the WR5 and 6. He never could. These cars did have their moments and were not unsuccessful. Scheckter scored points in 5 races, with two 2nds (Germany and Canada), a 3rd (U.S. Grand Prix), a 4th, and a 6th, but Walter Wolf began to lose interest in 1979/1980 the team was merged with Fittipaldi.

WR6: First appeared at the French Grand Prix but did not race until the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort where Scheckter finished 12th. At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, he destroyed WR6 in a major accident.

WR6-2: This chassis was built in time for the United States Grand Prix (Watkins Glen) and the Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal). Scheckter scored another 10 Grand Prix points finishing 3rd & 2nd, respectively.