Motul M1

[Chris Townsend]

Ron Dennis' stab at car construction in F2 for 1973.

Ten were built where did they all go?
Recent information suggests that virtually all landed up in N. America, and more information added to the following would be good...

201 Works test car. F1R shows as team spare at Mallory and Pau. Probably Bobby Rahal's first Atlantic car. [In a MN interview in 76/77 he remarks that he had the first Rondel]. Badly damaged by Rahal. Rebuilt by Dwight Zillig [1976] then to Randy Zwimmer for Can Am

202: F1R doesn't give this chassis, which suggests that it was the car sold to Tate of Leeds and used by Chris Meek and later Tom Pryce in F.Atlantic. Used by Meek to win 1974 Northern Single Seater Championship. F/S AS 1976 as NSSC winner unused since 1974

203: F1R says Schenken's car in 73.

204: F1R says Scheckter and then Pryce in 73. To N.America 1974

205: F1R says Jaussaud's car in 73

206: F1R says Pescarolo and Schenken in 73

207: F1R says Wolleck in 73. 1974 Iain McLaren [AS 'ex Wolleck']. FS AS 1/4/76 'ex McLaren'

208: F1R says new for Tom Pryce at Rouen in 73. To North America 1974

209: Unknown. Maybe the Meek car, but unlikely given that car's appearance date. More likely a late season test car.

210: Not used 73-74. Appears as basis of the Safir F2 car run by Patrick Neve at Silverstone in 1975.

In 1974 a host of Rondels appear in the US and Canada

Chris O'Brien [who ran British F3 in early 70s] [ex Pryce so 204 or 208]
Seb Barone [also ex Pryce so 204 or 208]
Al Justason then to Bob Beyea for 1975
Roger Seacrist
Peter Symond
All except Symond appear in the Canadian series, most appear at Watkins Glen at the season end, so there is little possibility of cars being swapped.

If we take all of these together with the two cars that stayed in Britain, there's only one spare chassis to be accounted for, Problem is, who had what!

Chris

[Steve Wilkinson]

I attended the Rindt Trophy meeting at Thruxton in 1973 when the Rondel-Motul Team had their best week-end!
In the FINAL Pescarolo was 1st, Wollek 2nd and Jaussaud 5th.
Scheckter had finished 4th in Ht 1 whilst Schenken was 2nd in Ht2

The whole Team was smartly turned out and hyper professional - just what we have come to expect of Ron Dennis.

In July I spotted Tom Pryce in the FAt Motul at Silverstone where he could only manage 7th. I don't remember that this car was particularly succesful but that might be the intervening years playing tricks!

After such a hugely succesful early season result the F2 team was hard pressed to repeat such stunning results!

[Andrew Kitson]

Tha attractive powder blue, red and yellow Rondel colour scheme on their F2 Brabhams then Motul cars was designed by Barry Foley - he of 'Catchpole' fame. He also designed the JPS Lotus liveries.

[Andrew Fellowes]

Barry Foley, well, well, well.

I did wonder, the original body panels for BT36-2 still survive, they look a bit like a crocodile skin, thick plates of cracked blackish brown paint. Underneath is the original gel coat, a very unusual powder blue, almost with a touch of green to it.

[cirrus]

When I helped Token Racing as a gofer, I had to clean up one of the Motuls. It was back for a rebuild, and had been raced by Iain McLaren in Scottish Formule Libre. I've no idea what chassis number it was, unfortunately.

[Andrew Fellowes]

Neil Trundle has one of the Motuls for sale that he has just restored. The paint work has been done by the guys at McLaren so it should look pretty schmick.

Cirrus I assume that would be the same Iain McLaren that had Brabham BT35X-1.

[Dan Rear]

Originally Posted by Andrew Fellowes

Neil Trundle has one of the Motuls for sale that he has just restored. The paint work has been done by the guys at McLaren so it should look pretty schmick.

Cirrus I assume that would be the same Iain McLaren that had Brabham BT35X-1.

And "Chocolate Drop"

[Cameron Winton]

In Scottish Libre and Sportcars, Iain always had the best cars with only Norman Dickson outdoing him. I can remember Ingliston meetings where he would race his B31 or later B36 Chevron in the sports car race before using his B35 for the Libre race. The last car I can remember him having was a Mclaren M26
I have seen pictures of him with the Motul and the BT35X. I believe he raced and hillclimbed both. I think both cars were sold on during the Mid Seventies.

[Michael Oliver]

Originally Posted by Cameron Winton

In Scottish Libre and Sportcars, Iain always had the best cars with only Norman Dickson outdoing him. I can remember Ingliston meetings where he would race his B31 or later B36 Chevron in the sports car race before using his B35 for the Libre race. The last car I can remember him having was a Mclaren M26
I have seen pictures of him with the Motul and the BT35X. I believe he raced and hillclimbed both. I think both cars were sold on during the Mid Seventies.

Just been looking at some more photos on the web of Iain racing at Ingliston and Croft in a variety of cars including the Motul. Does anybody have any idea whether Iain is still alive, and if so where he might be residing? Sounds like he has owned a very interesting selection of machinery...

[Dan Rear]

I've been reading some 1977 A/Sports, which are really fascinating, and come across a chap called Chris Landrum. He was apparently a US deep sea diver (?)and raced a Motul M1 BDG in that year, on the Northern Libre scene. I presume its the ex-Iain Mc car.

[allenbrown]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

I've been reading some 1977 A/Sports, which are really fascinating, and come across a chap called Chris Landrum. He was apparently a US deep sea diver (?)and raced a Motul M1 BDG in that year, on the Northern Libre scene. I presume its the ex-Iain Mc car.

Motoring News 28 Apr 1977 p31: Landrum had "the ex-Iain McLaren Motul".

[Chris Townsend]

Landrum took the car back to California, scoring points with it in Cal Club SCCA into the late 70s.

Here's the current state of thinking on Motuls. We still hardly know where any of them are.

201: Works spare and development car, to David Ralston [Indiana] then to Bobby Rahal [late 74] to Opert to Mike Rand [1975] thence to Dwight Zilig

202: Tate of Leeds Atlantic car for Meek and later Pryce. Possibly sold to Canada to be either Barone or O'Brien car in 1974

203: Team car for Schenken, probably to USA.

204: Team car for Scheckter, only ran twice, then used by Pryce. Possibly Seb Barone's ex Pryce car in Canada in 74, if not then that of Chris O'Brien
[also ex Pryce] By 1977 probably Dean Lundgreen [Milwaukee] then to Roy Drew [Milwaukee] 1978 as FC, 1983 probably the car for sale by Greg Dauterman, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin ['ex Scheckter']

205: Team car for Jaussaud. Probably to USA

206: Team car for Pescarolo and Schenken. Probably to USA. 1982 Randy Zimmer Can Am

207: Team car for Wolleck, to Iain McLaren then Chris Landrum 1977, to USA and retained to 1979 at least

208: Team car for Pryce in F2. Probably to USA, perhaps the O'Brien or Barone cars

209: Late season second Atlantic car for Tate run for Viv Candy at late season Croft alongside Meek. This or 202 retained for Meek, won Northern Single Seater Champ 1974, f/s in AS 1976, 'not used since 1974'

210: Unraced until 1975 when the basis of the Safir F2

211 [yes we have this chassis no] Unraced F2 car advertised AS Nov 73. Sold to Roger Seacrist USA and used in FB 1974.

Unknown users in USA/Canada 1974
Chris O'Brien [ex Pryce]
Seb Barone [ex Pryce]
Al Justasson, to Bob Beyea 1975
Peter Symond

[allenbrown]

Originally Posted by Chris Townsend

Here's the current state of thinking on Motuls. We still hardly know where any of them are.

206: Team car for Pescarolo and Schenken. Probably to USA. 1982 Randy Zimmer Can Am

Unknown users in USA/Canada 1974
Al Justasson, to Bob Beyea 1975

Al Justason says his car was ex-Pescarolo so it looks like we have a home for 206.

Allen

[allenbrown]

Originally Posted by Chris Townsend

206: Team car for Pescarolo and Schenken. Probably to USA. 1982 Randy Zimmer Can Am

Unknown users in USA/Canada 1974
Al Justasson, to Bob Beyea 1975

I think Chris is offline at the moment so here's a bit more from Al.

When I 'retired' I rented the car for two or three races to Bob Beyea of Toronto. I later sold the car to Bill Bovenizer of Toronto.

Here's the car at Max Egli's workshop in Canada. In another picture taken from a different angle you can see "Henri" on the side of the car.

[Chris Townsend]

So can we update Motuls a bit on the basis of Randy's information

201: Some confusion here:
Bobby Rahal said in period that he had the original Motul - suggesting 201- buying it late 1974 from David Ralston
Rahal definitely sold the car to Tim Fortner and Butch Owsley [have photos of it in Rahal's Crescent Valley Foods colours] who sold the car to Dwight Zillig [Novato CA]. f/s Autoweek 31.3.78 p.39 'driven once in two years' Dwight, 14 Sinaloa Ct, Novato CA 94947. Does this go back to Opert and then to Mike Rand at this point [1978] or is this another car and 201 has always been on the East coast?

202: Tate of Leeds Atlantic car for Meek and later Pryce. Seb Barone has an ex Pryce Motul in 1974 which could be this or 204

203: Team car for Schenken, probably to USA.

204: Team car for Scheckter, only ran twice, then used by Pryce. Possibly Al Justason's 'ex Pryce' car in Canada in 74. If so then to Bob Beyea 1975. By 1977 probably Dean Lundgreen [Milwaukee] then to Roy Drew [Milwaukee] 1978 as FC, 1983 probably the car for sale by Greg Dauterman, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin ['ex Scheckter']

205: Team car for Jaussaud. Probably to USA

206: Team car for Pescarolo and Schenken. To Chris O'Brien described as ex Pryce by Canadian Motorsport Bulletin but also described by O'Brien AW 26.4.75 p.34 as ex Scheckter, though as that description came from Opert, who knows! Sold to Opert 1975 and probably the Rondel for sale by him in Formula in June 1975. 1982 Randy Zimmer Can Am. The plate conflicts with Justasson's description of his car as 'ex Pescarolo' and in the photos I have it has Pescarolo's name on the bodywork. 206 is given for Pescarolo's car in 1973 MN reports and by F1R. However, a bit of plate swapping at a pre-race rebuild and Bob's your uncle... These Motuls could have identities every bit as stable as the Rondel BT38s of the previous season...

207: Team car for Wolleck, to Iain McLaren then Chris Landrum 1977, to California and retained to 1979 at least. Perhaps the car of Jim Vawter in 1980, unless this is the ex Zillig car still in California.

208: Team car for Pryce in F2. 1974/75: Roger Seacrist chassis no given AW 20.3.76 p.32 612 N. Michigan Chicago Ill 60611

209: Late season second Atlantic car for Tate run for Viv Candy at late season Croft alongside Meek. This or 202 retained for Meek, won Northern Single Seater Champ 1974, f/s in AS 1976, 'not used since 1974'

210: Unraced until 1975 when the basis of the Safir F2

The American users I can't currently account for are Peter Symond at Watkins Glen in 1974 which might be 203 or 205 as all the Motuls were said to be sold to Opert by the works, and all others are accounted for at that point. Ignatowski runs in FC in SCCA NE division and scores points in 1976. That suggests a car from the NE like Symond or Barone

Chris

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by Chris Townsend

...The plate conflicts with Justasson's description of his car as 'ex Pescarolo' and in the photos I have it has Pescarolo's name on the bodywork. 206 is given for Pescarolo's car in 1973 MN reports and by F1R. However, a bit of plate swapping at a pre-race rebuild and Bob's your uncle... These Motuls could have identities every bit as stable as the Rondel BT38s of the previous season...

I talked with Mike Rand a few (? probably 10 or more) years ago by phone and I believe he said he had talked to Ron Dennis about the Rondels. He indicated that whatever car was sitting around became whomever's car.
The cars were generally split into factory and contract. The factory drivers had no specific factory car and the contract drivers were more consistent in car used but still not set in stone. Consequently, when Jody became world champion, all the Rondel owner's claimed to have Jody's car. Rand had previously told me (1983) mine (#201) was Pryce's but Chris says the same about (#206) and this newer info makes it all make sense.

Sorry this is so 4th hand and unscientific but it is something I remember having been told. If your research shows all the drivers were factory and none paid to play, this is all wrong.
rz

[RondelRacing]

Hello, This is Walt, Presently, I have two Rondels. One Complete Car (100%), Second Car 75% Complete, Raced #1 Car for ten years (1978-1988) SCCA and Midwestern Council based out of Northern Illinois, USA. Im using a friends computer and would consider Postal Communication and Telephone at a later date if agreeable, if interested, email a response to Xtrememxer14@aol.com and I will be notified asap. thanks, Walt

[Davhut]

Barry Foley was a STUD!
Great artist and designer.
My hat's off! I only wish I had half the artistic talent.

[Chris Townsend]

An update on Motul chassis 201

Imported by Opert end '73. Perhaps raced by Mike Rand. Sold to David Ralston, then to Bobby Rahal autumn 1974.
Bobby Rahal sold the car to Tim Fortner and Butch Owsley [San Francisco]. Owsley ran the car for two seasons in SCCA in California.
Sold to Dwight Zillig October 1976.

Chris

[Bruce McLaren]

Responding to Michael Oliver's query I'm glad to report my dad, Iain McLaren, is still alive and well and still living in Scotland.

I've read the Rondel Motul M1 thread with interest and vaguely recall going to Ron Dennis's workshop when my dad bought his Motul. He had a choice of 3 all at various stages of rebuild. I was only about 8 so its all quite vague although speaking to my father recently he thought he had bought Pescarolo's car which is contrary to the suggestions above but would agree with Ron Dennis's view that they drove what they were given.

He did indeed have a succession of cars all of which were pretty special in my memory. Chocolate drop was followed by a Chevron B35 then a Gp 6 Chevron B36 and Chevron B40 before Brett Lunger's McLaren M26/6 which set the outright lap record at Croft with Ingliston gearing!

[Supernova]

Does anyone know where these chassis are today? I know that 206 has gone back to the UK for rebuild but does anyone know the chassis numbers of the remaining survivors?

Mike.
Austin Texas.

[randyzimmer]

#201 is still in my attic in Buffalo, NY USA

[Supernova]

Originally Posted by randyzimmer

#201 is still in my attic in Buffalo, NY USA

Hi Randy,

I was in touch with you many years ago! Anyway how much of 201 do you have? I assume all the good parts went with 206?

Mike Short,
Austin Texas.

[raltroundup]

208 partial history per Mike Rand (as of September 2019)
He bought the car from Fred Opert in early '74. T. Pryce name on the cockpit cover and Titan Properties on the wing. Ran it in SCCA Nationals and in late summer 1974 at Road Atlanta hit the T7 tire wall (destroyed LF suspension and severely damaged LF tub.) Sold, then raced in FC in Connecticut and sold to Randy Zimmer of western New York who raced it in CanAm U2 late 70's. Still owned by R. Zimmer.

[allenbrown]

Originally Posted by raltroundup

208 partial history per Mike Rand (as of September 2019)
He bought the car from Fred Opert in early '74. T. Pryce name on the cockpit cover and Titan Properties on the wing. Ran it in SCCA Nationals and in late summer 1974 at Road Atlanta hit the T7 tire wall (destroyed LF suspension and severely damaged LF tub.) Sold, then raced in FC in Connecticut and sold to Randy Zimmer of western New York who raced it in CanAm U2 late 70's. Still owned by R. Zimmer.

Are you sure this was 208? I thought Rand's car was Chris Meek's Formula Atlantic car, which ran in Titan Properties livery and was raced by Pryce a few times in June.

208 was the number Roger Seacrist used when he advertised his car in 1976:


I'd love to swap notes with you on the Rondels. I've done a lot of work on them recently but would appreciate anything you can add.