|
The 500 Owners
Association Championships are for competitors competing in 500cc single
seat racing cars which were built between 1st January 1946 and 31st
December 1960.
Formula Three (adopted by
the FIA in 1950) evolved from postwar auto racing, with lightweight
tube-frame chassis powered by 500 cc motorcycle engines (notably Nortons
and JAP speedway). Cooper came to dominate the formula with mass-produced
cars, and the income this generated enabled the company to develop into
the senior categories.
Other notable marques included Kieft, JBS and Emeryson in England, and
Effyh, Monopoletta and Scampolo in Europe.
John Cooper, along with most other 500 builders, decided to place the
engine in the middle of the car, driving the rear wheels. This was mostly
due to the practical limitations imposed by chain drive but it gave these
cars exceptionally good handling characteristics which eventually led to
the mid-engined revolution in single-seater racing.
The 500cc formula was the usual route into motor racing through the early
and mid-1950s (and stars like Stirling Moss continued to enter selected F3
events even during their GP careers). Other notable 500 cc Formula 3
drivers include Stuart Lewis-Evans, Ivor Bueb, Jim Russell, Peter Collins,
Don Parker, Ken Tyrrell, and Bernie Ecclestone.
Please
note that the photographs on this page do not enlarge
but you can always try the computer's Control+Scroll enlarge feature
|
