Harrison makes rear-engined switch

John Harrison, who has raced front-engined cars for 50 years, took fourth on his Historic Formula 2 debut at Brands Hatch last weekend in the Ford Bdg-powered March 742 he built up with son Andrew.

Spurred on by Classic Clubmans sparring partner Mark Charteris, who has raced a similar car since 2018, the Harrisons acquired the reskinned monocoque and a kit of parts from Richard Eyre.

The March carries chassis plate 742-25, Austrian Dieter Quester’s Bmw-powered Team Harper car in 1974.

“I wanted to run it in his Memphis livery but, because we’ve not found good period photos, it’s in regular Harper colours,” said Swanley upholsterer Harrison.

“Having sat alongside engines for so long it’s very strange being able to see the front wheels [in a singleseater] and to have this really powerful wagon train behind you pushing you along.

“Understanding how to set the car up and adapting my driving style to use the downforce is going to be a big challenge at my age, but the learning process will be fun. The speed already feels incredible, but I’m loving it.”

Harrison first raced a Lotus 7 in the 750 Motor Club’s Formula 1200 in 1970. When it evolved into F1300, he switched to a Mallock U2, winning four successive titles.