Before We Lose Track

ONE OF THE newest teams in Formula One racing is the private one of Lord Alexander Hesketh. After an initial foray in the land of Formula Three the Grand Prix team was formed with a March 731 as its first Cosworth V8 powered car, housed in a converted stable block in his Lordship’s extensive grounds near Towcester. The team’s designer Harvey Postlethwaite, who had moved to the Hesketh team from March Engineering, started by modifying the March 731 to his own ideas on suspension and aerodynamics, but was soon at work on a new car of his own design, albeit incorporating various March components. The Hesketh Motor Company had been formed to control the manufacture and the Formula One car was designated the Type 308, and to date three cars have been built.

March 731/3: Purchased from March Engineering in 1973. Modified in detail and raced by the team driver James Hunt. Sold to Holland and converted to a F5000 car.

Hesketh 308/1: Built in 1973 and retained by team for 1974. Won International Trophy at Silverstone in 1974. Sold to Harry Stiller and his associates in 1975 for Alan Jones to drive.

Hesketh 308/2: Built in 1974. Severely damaged in start-line accident at the French GP at Dijon 1974 when driven by Hunt. Rebuilt around a new monocoque at the end of 1974 and incorporated new rubber-controlled front suspension, new bodywork and aerodynamic details as 1975 team car.

Hesketh 308/3: Built in 1974. Raced by Hunt. Converted to rubber controlled front suspension in Autumn of 1974. Retained as spare team car for 1975.