1975 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship explained

The 1975 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship was the ninth running of the Sports Car Club of America's professional open wheel automobile racing series and the second to be sanctioned jointly by the Sports Car Club of America and the United States Automobile Club.[1] The championship was open to cars complying with the SCCA's 5 liter (305 cid) American stock block engine specifications and to cars complying with the USAC's 161 cid turbocharged, 255 cid DOHC or 320 cid stock block engine regulations.[2]

The 1975 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship was won by Brian Redman driving a Lola T332 Chevrolet.[3]

In light of the Can Am Series' folding the previous year, the Formula 5000 Championship became the SCCA's flagship series in 1975. However, only two years later, the Formula 5000 category would form the basis for a revived Can Am Series. After 1975, Lola's dominance would end as March and Shadow cars would win events the following year. It would also be the end of Chevrolet's several year sweep of the championship as an engine manufacturer, as a Dodge powered car would garner a victory in 1976.

Calendar

The 1975 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship was contested over a nine race series.[2]

RaceDateRace nameLocationDistanceWinning driverWinning vehicleReport
1June 1Purolator 5000Pocono International Raceway35 laps Brian RedmanLola T332Chevrolet V8
2June 15Labatt's Blue 5000Mosport Park40 laps Mario AndrettiLola T332Chevrolet V8
3July 13Watkins Glen International30 laps Brian Redman
4July 27Road America25 laps Mario AndrettiLola T332Chevrolet V8
5August 10Buckeye Cup[4] Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course42 laps Brian Redman
6August 31Atlanta Grand PrixRoad Atlanta40 laps Al Unser
7September 28Long Beach Grand PrixLong Beach, California50 laps Brian RedmanLola T332Chevrolet V81975
8October 12Monterey Grand PrixLaguna Seca Raceway50 laps Mario Andretti
9October 26California Grand PrixRiverside International Raceway40 laps Mario Andretti

Points system

Championship points were awarded on a 36-24-16-12-8-5-4-3-2-1 basis for the first ten positions in each race.[2]

Championship standings

Position [5] Driver Car Points
1 Brian RedmanLola T332 Chevrolet
Lola T400 Chevrolet
227
2 Mario Andretti165
3 Al Unser161
4 Jackie OliverShadow DN6 Chevrolet
Shadow DN6 Dodge
77
5 Eppie WietzesLola T400 Chevrolet60
6 David Hobbs50
7 Warwick BrownTalon MR1A Chevrolet42
8 Vern SchuppanEagle Chevrolet39
9 B.J. Swanson32
10 Tony Brise17
11 John MortonLola T332 Chevrolet
Lola T400 Chevrolet
15
12 John CannonMarch 731/751 Chevrolet13
13 Elliott Forbes-Robinson12
= Chris AmonTalon MR1 Chevrolet12
= John WoodnerLola T400 Chevrolet
Talon MR1 Chevrolet
12
16 Evan Noyes10
17 Jerry Karl7
= John Gunn7
= Tony DeanChevron B28 Chevrolet7
= Graham McRae7
21 Danny OngaisLola T400 Chevrolet
Lola T332 Chevrolet
5
= Bobby UnserEagle Chevrolet5
= Gordon Johncock5
24 Tuck Thomas4
25 Bob Earle3
26 James DunkelChevron B24 Chevrolet2
= Roger BighouseChevron B24 Chevrolet2
28 Dan FureyLola T330 AMC1
= Skeeter McKitterickChevron B24/B28 Chevrolet1
= Randy Lewis1

References

  1. http://www.myf5000.com/race_review.html 1967-1974, myf5000.com
  2. http://www.myf5000.com/files/fact_sheet_1975.pdf Facts Sheet, www.myf5000.com
  3. Gordon Kirby, The Season in the USA, Automobiles Year 1975/76, pages 173 to 182
  4. Web site: 1975 Mid-Ohio F5000. 10 May 2022.
  5. Wolfgang Kopfler, 1975 Formula 5000 Championship, Formula A and Formula 5000 in America - Race by Race, 2003, page 90

External links