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The
F3 version of the Wheatcroft R18.
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Tom Wheatcroft
will forever be associated with Donington Park, it was his money, determination
and enthusiasm that saw the rebuilding of Donington into a Grand Prix standard
circuit, the same enthusiasm and determination that saw a Grand Prix held
there, the same enthusiasm and determination that saw the creation of the
wonderful Donington Collection of racing cars. It is therefore surprising
that when Tom turned to racing car construction it seemed slightly halfhearted,
many people feel that Tom never felt quite the same about being personally
involved with racing after the death of Roger Williamson. The Mike Pilbeam
designed R18 appeared in 1975 in F Atlantic specification and was raced
that season to some race wins by Peter Morgan. In August of that year an
F2 version was built with a Hart-BDA and Henton finished 3rd at Silverstone
the car then going to South Africa for F Atlantic racing. |
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John
Bright takes the Wheatcroft through the Donington chicane.
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John Bright,
working on a shoestring budget, converted the ex-Peter Morgan F Atlantic
car to F3 specification in Wheatcroft's workshop. The car retained
the full-width nose with a slim monocoque and hip-mounted radiators.
The suspension was by double wishbone with inboard coils and dampers
at the front. The fuel was contained in a single cell behind the driver
which helped keep the tub slim. A Toyota Novamotor was the chosen
power source. The only result was an early season 6th at Thruxton
although Bright did win a non-championship race, at Donington coincidentally. |
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John
Bright in the R18.
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Bright continued
to use the R18 in unmodified form for the beginning of the 1978
season, a couple of good results were the reward with a 4th
at Silverstone and a 6th at Thruxton. Bright then switched
to a March 773 to finish the year.. |
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Drivers |
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1977 |
John
Bright. |
1978 |
John
Bright. |
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