Darnvall Connew Racing Team

Based in: Romford, Essex Founded: 1971 (active 1972) Principal: Peter Connew

Peter Connew was a former Surtees draughtsman who basically took on the might of Formula 1 with what was little more than a lock-up special.

Peter built two monocoques in his garage in Romford, Essex - one of which was fitted with a mockup engine and exhibited at the 1972 Racing Car Show. Finance for a real engine came from French F2 and sports car racer Francois Migault and the car rolled up for the 1972 British Grand Prix where it failed to qualify as a result of suspension problems.

The car did make it to the grid in Austria - albeit in 25th place. Twenty-two laps later it was out - with suspension issues. Although the car only made one outing in anger it remains a remarkable achievement on what was such a financial shoestring.

Cars