Pit Stops

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32233, 27 February 1970, Page 11

Pit Stops

The NewZeala'nd driver, Howden Ganley, who did particularly well in Formulalll events in ,Britain and Europe last season, has recently been testing works cars for 1 the March team. This season Ganley will concentrate on Formula 5000 racing, driving a McLaren MIOB. * * *

The new Formula I B.R.M. has now been announced in Britain. The car is powered by an extensively modified rsion of the B.R.M. Vl2 engine, and is said to be very light, low and simple in construction. The chassis is a very stiff monocoque, and the engine bears part of the rear-suspension loads. A new type of gearbox is fitted. The car was designed by the team’s new chief designer, A. Southgate, formerly of Lola and Eagle. ¥ * *

More than 100 singleseater and G.T. cars taking part in European racing have now been fitted, with an automatic fire-protec-tion system. Engine fires are detected by sensors which illuminate a warning light in the cockpit, allowing the driver to

press a button which sprays extinguisher fluid over the engine compartment. In a crash the extinguisher is automatically switched on by an inertia switch in the nose of the car. In such a case the system also sprays the cockpit and fuel-pump areas. * * * The American STP Corporation will sponsor the works March Formula I team this season, it has been announced in Britain. The works drivers will be Chris Amon and Jo Siffert. Five other March cars will also race in Grand Prix events: one called the “STP Oil Treatment Special” which will be driven by Mario Andretti, two Tyrell team cars for Jackie Stewart and J. Servoz--Gavin. and two privatelyentered cars. ' * * * British Leyland has announced that after . the London to’ Mexico rally later this year the corporation will increase its activities in the motor-sport field. Entries will be made in overseas events “where it is relevant to the sales potential of particular models,” the corporation has said.