A Tyrrell F1, previously raced by BBC Formula One pundit Martin Brundle will roar in to action at the 5th Scottish Classic SpeedFair on June 27th. Designed by Maurice Phillipe, the 012 was the first carbon fibre chassis grand prix car from Ken Tyrrell’s stable & made its appearance late in the 1983 season. Although the car was extremely light and nimble it struggled to get on terms with the turbo power cars of the era.
The late Michele Alboreto, who scored two heroic victories in Cosworth V8 powered Tyrrell 011 at Caesar’s Palace in 1982 and Detroit in mid-1983 (the latter the 155th and last for the extraordinary 3-litre DFV engine) brought the chassis 012-1 home sixth first time out in Holland. Unfortunately for Tyrrell, the Italian ace was snapped up by Ferrari for the 1984 season.
Stefan Bellof and Martin Brundle picked up the 012 reins for the 1984 season, which saw the cars run with their specially developed Cosworth DFY engines. Martin Brundle’s race debut driving the Tyrrell 012 was in Brazil, 25th March 1984, where he finished a highly creditable fifth, which was to be the highest place finish in the cars contemporary history. Brundle then drove the 012-3 chassis to finish the next four Grand Prix of the 1984 season, before badly damaging the car against the barriers surrounding the swimming pool in qualifying at Monaco in June of that year. Few enthusiasts will forget the images of the stricken car lying on its side against the barriers with its left hand suspension torn off – Stefan Bellof in the sister car fared better in the torrential rain of race day finishing fourth overall.
012/3 was then rebuilt in to a test car to develop the Renault V6 turbo that was to be installed in 014 Tyrrell for the 1985 season, hence 012/3 has the six speed gearbox as fitted to the 014.
We are extremely grateful to have the Tyrrell at the SpeedFair and when you add in the ex James Hunt Malboro McLaren, a Formula 5000 and a F5000 VW Beetle, the SpeedFair will have some of the most famous cars in the world of motor sport being demonstrated in all their glory. Tickets are available in advance or at the gate on each of the event days.