Alt-1955 - Prize money awarded!

[Nessafox]

As less experience for the non-championship races is required, i request to enter Carel Godin De Beaufort and Rob Slotemaker in Singapore for Ecurie Maarsbergen.

Carel Godin De Beaufort is a no go - I already tried to enter him this season as team owner and driver of Ecurie Maarsbergen and got denied!

Yeah i know Tommy said 1956 at earliest for a regular drive (idem for Slotemaker). But as this is a non-championship race, i might try another time. CGdB is badass, we all know that.

[tommykl]

Right, with only six entries left to take in Rouen (which will be the first to be run), I've taken a look to see if any entered drivers weren't experienced enough to be allowed in. I've found three who must be replaced due to having no previous recorded racing experience.

Jean Guichet (Voeckler)
André Testut (Voeckler)
Lorenzo Bandini (Maghreb)

They will need to be replaced.

EDIT: Biscione's replaced Guichet and Testut with Simon and Rosier in the chat, leaving only Bandini.

[CaptainGetz12]

Right, with only six entries left to take in Rouen (which will be the first to be run), I've taken a look to see if any entered drivers weren't experienced enough to be allowed in. I've found three who must be replaced due to having no previous recorded racing experience.

Jean Guichet (Voeckler)
André Testut (Voeckler)
Lorenzo Bandini (Maghreb)

They will need to be replaced.

EDIT: Biscione's replaced Guichet and Testut with Simon and Rosier in the chat, leaving only Bandini.

I suppose La Caze will do the first race then. He will use our Lancia chassis and engine, same as Bandini would have.

[tommykl]

To allow for the entry lists to fill up completely, I will allow two more privateers per race per user.

[pi314159]

I'll enter two more privateers for Rouen: Paul Emery and 1953 Le Mans winner Tony Rolt.

Edit: And for Singapore: Jorge Daponte, Clemar Bucci, Bill Whitehouse, Ken McAlpine

[Nuppiz]

I'll enter the following privateers:

Rouen
Jack Fairman
Cliff Allison

Singapore
Bruce Halford
Eric Thompson

[tommykl]

Right, the entry list for Singapore is now full, leaving only two spots to fill in Rouen before the season starts! I'll leave it until Saturday January 3rd 2015 at noon CET. If the seats aren't filled, I'll randomly pick two privateers to fill the seats.

[DemocalypseNow]

Some late changes;

Renzo - Perdisa moves into the car originally assigned to Gerini. Gerini is dropped, and Serafini will return into what was originally Perdisa's car (i.e. his designated chassis/engine combo in the World Championship).
Voeckler - Rosier is dropped. Toulo de Graffenried will take his car.

[Bobby Doorknobs]

To fill the gap left for Rouen, I will enter the father and son team of Louis and Jean-Louis Rosier (assuming that by "dropped", Biscione means Voeckler has shown Louis the door and he is now without a drive). If Louis is not an acceptable entry then I will enter Henri Louveau.

[andrew]

Bit late but I'll enter Rouen with the ultimate chassis and Mercedes Engine using villoresi if possible

[tommykl]

Bit late but I'll enter Rouen with the ultimate chassis and Mercedes Engine using villoresi if possible

Nope. Entry lists are closed. Speaking of which, I'll start writing the season preview tomorrow morning

[tommykl]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Un)
This time, it's got driver stats!

Yes, the 1955 Formula One season is almost upon us, and after a thrilling year in 1954, many changes are happening up and down the field, as well as around the calendar. A smattering of new teams, surprising driver changes and completely new Grands Prix to be run for a record total of 11 races counting towards the world championship. As always, there will be a run-down of all the teams and drivers who are set to compete this season, but this year, only their hopes for the coming season will be profiled, because their 1954 form was already summarised in the 1954 season review here. Come on. Read it again. You know you want to.

Instead, each driver will have a brief but detailed description of his past achievements in order to give a bit of context behind the expectations. Without further ado, let's start with last season's winners...

Jaguar - Aston Martin Racing
After yet another successful year in 1954, it'll be interesting to see whether the AM-04 chassis and JFE-2 engines will still be up to par in their third year of competition. Not to mention the fact that while all four drivers are still on the payroll, they have not officially stated their will to enter any races so far, or even stated anything yet. All we know is that they're not coming to any of the non-championship races. Could we see the defending champions fail to show up like Motorsport Bleu in 1953? It would be a crying shame if it happened.

How good are their drivers?
B. "Score ALL the second places!" Bira
Formula 1
2 World Championship titles (1952, 1954)
6 championship Grand Prix victories (3 in 1952, 1 each in 1951, 1953 and 1954)
16 podiums
3 fastest laps
114 points
Non-championship wins
1937 and 1938 Campbell Trophy
1946 Ulster Trophy
1948 Zandvoort Grand Prix
1951 Richmond Trophy
1954 Grand Prix de Pau
1954 Grand Prix des Frontières
1955 New Zealand Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1938 12 Hours of Donington

Dries "#DriesVanDerBoss" van der Lof
Formula 1
World Championship runner-up in 1954
2 championship Grand Prix victories (both in 1954)
4 podiums
30 points
Sportscars
1950 Zandvoort National winner (S1.5)
5th place in 1951 1 hour of Zandvoort

Tony "I'm a champion, remember?" Bettenhausen
Formula 1
World Champion in 1953
2 championship Grand Prix victories (1 each in 1953 and 1954)
9 podiums
64 points
1 fastest lap
1 pole position
US open-wheel
AAA National Champion in 1951
17 AAA victories (7 in 1951, 3 in 1950, 2 each in 1947 and 1949, 1 each in 1946, 1948 and 1953)
3 Milwaukee Mile track titles (1942, 1946-47)
3 Chicago Raceway Park track titles (1941-42, 1947)

Maurice "I also exist" Trintignant
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 7th (1951 and 1953)
1 championship Grand Prix victory (in 1953)
4 podiums
29 points
Non-championship wins
1938, 1939 and 1953 Grands Prix des Frontières
1951 Grand Prix de l'Albigeois
1952 and 1954 Grands Prix de Caen
1953 Grand Prix de Cadours
1954 Grand Prix de Rouen
1954 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1950 Rheinland Nürburgring
1952 Grand Prix de Roubaix
1954 12 Hours of Hyères (with Luigi Piotti)
1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with José Froilan Gonzalez)
1954 Tourist Trophy (with Mike Hawthorn)

Alexander Racing Team - Gordini
Unlike their rivals, the Franco-British outfit have a clear plan this season: making the most of their old car with their strong line-up. While Collins and Ramos were tempted elsewhere, Manzon and Sanesi remain to form the team's core half, while Ambrosiana hero Porfirio Rubirosa joins the team along with Spanish quasi-rookie Francisco "Paco" Godia-Sales. Unlike JAMR, they have announced their intention to take part in every race, and perhaps this year will finally see them net that elusive world title.

How good are their drivers?
Consalvo "POLELOL" Sanesi
Formula 1
World Championship runner-up in 1953
4 championship Grand Prix victories (3 in 1953 and 1 in 1954)
11 podiums
78 points
9 pole positions
6 fastest laps
Non-championship
Numerous podiums, no wins
Sportscar wins
1950 Coppa Inter-Europa
1954 Carrera Panamericana (Turismo Europeo class)

Robert "Better than Maurice" Manzon
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 4th (1952)
3 championship Grand Prix victories (1 each in 1951, 1952 and 1954)
5 podiums
67.5 points
1 pole position
3 fastest laps
Non-championship
Numerous podiums
Sportscar wins
1949 Bol d'Or automobile
1952 Prix de Monte-Carlo
1952 Coupe du Salon
Other
1948, 1950 and 1952 Mont Ventoux Hill-climb
Numerous Formula 2 victories

Porfirio "Bathplug bitches, get podiums" Rubirosa
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 10th (1954)
1 podium
7 points
Sportscars
1954 12 Hours of Sebring runner-up
Other wins
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Barbara Hutton
Eva Peron

Paco "Yes, I'm Spanish" Godia
Formula 1
1 entry at the 1950 Italian Grand Prix (DNQ)
Non-championship
7 entries, including 1954 Pau Grand Prix (retirement)
Sportscars
4th in the 1949 24 Hours of le Mans
1954 Coppa Montjuich runner-up

Scuderia Ferrari
After managing only a single win last season, Ferrari are back with the same cars as the last two years, but with a serious disadvantage: they only have two drivers signed, and while they have entered all eleven rounds, they haven't yet confirmed that their signed drivers will actually be driving the cars. Enzo appears to be losing interest at this point, but there's still the possibility of appearing this season. Nonetheless, Ferrari will not appear in the non-championship races in Rouen or Singapore, and with only Parnell and Pagani signed, it could be a difficult year ahead of them.

How good are their drivers?
Reg "The Mummy" Parnell
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 3rd (1952 and 1953)
3 championship Grand Prix victories (1 each in 1951, 1952 and 1953)
9 podiums
61 points
3 pole positions
4 fastest laps
Non-championship wins
1946 Gransden Lodge Trophy
1947 Winter Grand Prix
1947 Stockholm Grand Prix
1947 Jersey Road Race
1948, 1949 and 1950 Goodwood Trophies
1948, 1949 and 1950 Richmond Trophies
1951 International Trophy
1952 Scottish Daily Express National Trophy
1954 Lavant Cup
1954 BARC Formula 1 Race
1954 Crystal Palace Trophy
1954 August Cup
1954 Redex Trophy
Sportscar wins
1953 National Charterhall Unlimited
1953 British Empire Trophy
1953 British Grand Prix support race
1953 National Snetterton (S+2.0)
1953 Charterhall International Sports Unlimited
1953 9 Hours of Goodwood (with Eric Thompson)
1953 National Castle Combe (S+1.5)
1954 National Silverstone
Other wins
1949 Goodwood Easter Formula Libre
1950 and 1951 National Gamston Formula Libre

Nello "My career is over" Pagani
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 13th (1951)
1 podium
8 points
1 pole position
Non-championship wins
1947 and 1948 Grands Prix de Pau
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1952 GP de Boa Vista
Others
1949 125cc Motorcycle World Champion
4 Grand Prix Motorcycle wins

Alfa Romeo SpA
Of the top four teams of these past seasons, Alfa Romeo are the only ones to have spent money on a new chassis and engine for 1955, hoping for a new competitive edge over their rivals. Farina will once again be leading the team alongside star signing Jack Brabham and third driver/late signing Tony Gaze. With Farina's age increasing, will they be able to challenge for the title for the first time since 1952? Watch out for them.

How good are their drivers?
Jack "By default" Brabham
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 6th (1954)
1 championship Grand Prix victory (in 1954)
2 podiums
17 points
Others
1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951 Australian Speedcar Champion
1949 South Australian Speedcar Champion
1951 Australian Hillclimb Champion
1953 Queensland Road Racing Champion

Giuseppe "I'M STILL THE BEST, DAMMIT!" Farina
Formula 1
World Champion in 1950 and 1951
6 championship Grand Prix victories (3 in 1950, 1 each in 1951, 1953 and 1954)
15 podiums
108 points
8 pole positions
8 fastest laps
Non-championship wins
1946 and 1948 Nations Grands Prix
1948 Monaco Grand Prix
1948 Circuit de Garde
1949 Lausanne Grand Prix
1950 Bari Grand Prix
1950 International Trophy
1951 Paris Grand Prix
1951 Ulster Trophy
1951 Goodwood Trophy
1952 and 1953 Naples Grands Prix
1952 Monza Grand Prix
1953 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
1953 Grand Prix de Rouen
Sportscar wins
1938 Pontedecimo-Giovi Hillclimb
1939 Antwerp Grand Prix
1953 24 hours of Spa (with Mike Hawthorn)
1953 1000 km of the Nürburgring (with Alberto Ascari)
1953 12 Hours of Casablanca (with Piero Scotti)
1954 1000 km of Buenos Aires (with Umberto Maglioli)
1954 Agadir Grand Prix (S+2.0)
Other wins
1937, 1938 and 1939 Italian Drivers' Champion
1940 Grand Prix of Tripoli

Tony "Better pilot than driver" Gaze
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 25th (1954)
1 point
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1952 Scottish National Daily Express Trophy
4th place in the 1952 National Trophy
5th place in the 1952 Lavant Cup
5th place in the 1952 Grand Prix de Cadours
Sportscars
1954 Crystal Palace Sports Unlimited winner
4th place in the 1953 Tourist Trophy (with Graham Whitehead)
4th place in the 1954 Aintree International

[tommykl]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Deux)
Scuderia Anglo-Italia
The combination of Bentley and O.S.C.A. proved to be a surprising challenger for points last season, and with the same cars, they hope to score their maiden Grand Prix victory in 1955, and they have the line-up to match their ambitions. Gonzalez is back from injury, Peter Whitehead and Stirling Moss have arrived from Alfa Romeo and Jacques Swaters is undoubtedly the best Belgian talent out there. Hopes are high, and so are expectations.

How good are their drivers?
José Froilan "Fangio wannabe" Gonzalez
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 8th (1953)
3 podiums
21 points
Non-championship wins
1951 Pescara Grand Prix
1952 Richmond Trophy
1954 Grand Prix de Bordeaux
1954 International Trophy
1954 Bari Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1954 Silverstone International
1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with Maurice Trintignant)

Peter "Podium after podium" Whitehead
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 5th (1953)
5 podiums
40 points
Non-championship wins
1938 Australian Grand Prix
1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
1950 Jersey Road Race
1950 Ulster Trophy
Numerous podiums
Sportscar wins
1951 24 Hours of le Mans (with Peter Walker)
1953 12 Hours of Hyères (with Tom Cole)
1953 12 Hours of Reims (with Stirling Moss)
1954 12 Hours of Reims (with Ken Wharton)
Other wins
1938 Australian Hillclimb Champion

Stirling "Crouching youngster; hidden talent" Moss
Formula 1
Best championship position of 17th (1951)
5 points
Non-championship wins
1953 London Trophy
1954 International Gold Cup
1954 Goodwood Trophy
1954 Daily Telegraph Trophy
Sportscar wins
1950 and 1951 Tourist Trophies
1950 National Castle Combe (2.0)
1951 and 1952 Silverstone Internationals
1951 British Empire Trophy
1951 Wakefield Trophy
1951 Goodwood September races
1952 Grand Prix de Reims
1952 Boreham International
1952 National Turnberry
1953 12 Hours of Reims (with Peter Whitehead)
1954 12 Hours of Sebring (with Bill Lloyd)
Other wins
1950 Monaco Formula Three race
Alpine Rally Gold Cup received in 1954

Jacques "Finally!" Swaters
Formula 1
15 Grand Prix starts without a point, two 6th places as best result.
Non-championship wins
1953 Avusrennen
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1954 12 Hours of Reims (with Roger Laurent)
4th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with Roger Laurent)

Scuderia Ambrosiana
Fresh off their first ever podium last season thanks to Porfirio Rubirosa, Ambrosiana will take part in the 1955 season with a brand new chassis and two new drivers in the form of Alberto Uria and Luigi Musso. Both drivers have not shown much in F1 yet, and Uria is a complete rookie. This will be a make or break year for the team, as the design of their new car has put them in deep financial trouble.

How good are their drivers?
Luigi "Where's my cash?" Musso
Formula 1
Three entries, no starts.
Non-championship wins
1954 Pescara Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1953 Giro dell'Umbria
1953 Avellino Grand Prix
1954 Naples Grand Prix (S+1.1)
1954 Circuito di Caserta
1954 Circuito di Senigallia (S2.0)

Alberto "Whoria?" Uria
Formula 1
Nada. Zip. Zilch. Nothing to see here.
Non-championship results
14th place in the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
Promising pace in the 1955 Argentine Grand Prix

Hampshire Racing Alliance
After Asso di Fiori completely disappeared from the F1 scene over the off-season, David Hampshire's bunch is next in this preview, and after scoring four whole points last year, Dave is looking for a potential podium. He's so sure of himself that he's bought a second car for Roy Salvadori to drive! He's enthusiastic about his chances, and maybe he'll actually come through with it. At the very least, he's one of the more likable members of the F1 paddock.

How good are their drivers?
David "I am not from" Hampshire
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 17th (1954)
6 points
Non-championship
Multiple top-5 finishes, including some podiums
Sportscars
7th place in the 1951 24 Hours of le Mans (with Reg Parnell)

Roy "Vaguely Italian" Salvadori
Formula 1
4 entries and 1 start in 1952, never classified.
Non-championship wins
1952 Joe Fry Memorial Trophy
1953 Madgwick Cup
1954 Curtis Trophy
Many, many podiums
Sportscar wins
1952 BARC Goodwood (S3.0)
1952 National Snetterton (2.5)
1952 National Thruxton
1953 National Snetterton
1954 National Castle Combe
1954 National Ibsley
1954 National Snetterton
1954 National Crystal Palace
1954 National Charterhall
1954 Goodwood International
1955 National Snetterton
1955 Fack all these national races

Maria Teresa de Filippis
After scoring her first points last year, de Filippis has high hopes this year, but not too high. After all, she only ever made the start twice last season. However, because of her fifth place in Zandvoort, she now has loadsamoney, and has used this to enter a second car for Giannino Marzotto, who left Officine Renzo to take up the offer. More of the same is a reasonable expectation from this team.

How good are their drivers?
Maria Teresa "Better than my brother" de Filippis
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 21st (1954)
2 points
Sportscars
2nd place in the 1952 and 1953 Circuito di Sassari
3rd place in the 1951 Coppa Ascoli
3rd place in the 1954 Giro di Reggio Calabria
4th place in the 1952 12 Hours of Pescara (with Sgorbati)

Giannino "Quicker than Paolo" Marzotto
Formula 1
8 entries and 6 starts, best finish of 8th place.
Sportscar wins
1951 and 1953 Mille Miglia (with Crosara)
1950 3 Hours of Rome
1950 Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti
1951 Coppa della Toscana

[TomWazzleshaw]

Since it seems like Mr McClean has disappeared off the face of the earth, JAMR would like to state that they will enter all four cars for all four races this year, with the same combinations that they ran for the final race of the 1954 season.

EDIT: After some deliberation with the glorious leader, the State Committee for Sports and Body Culture of USSR has decided to enter the Formula One world championship for the glory of Mother Russia. It will "purchase" the existing Ferrari, Maserati and remaining owned by Jaguar at the nominal value of $0, and the two damaged Aston chassis, also at the nominal value of $0. Because bathplug capitalism

[pi314159]

Julius Kubinsky, a car constructor from Brno, built his own Grand Prix car back in 1949 and entered it for the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix that year. Unfortunately the car, driven by Karel Vlasin, was damaged in a collision with a truck during practice and Kubinsky was unable to repair it for the race. Now, six years later, Kubinsky starts his second attempt to enter Grand Prix racing. Realising that his old car is completely outdated by now, he acquired an OSCA 53 chassis and an OSCA 3000V8 engine for just GBP 3500. The car will be modified and rebadged as JK Mono 3000, while the engine, due to Kubinsky's Tatra connections, will be called Tatra F1 V8. The car is expected to debut at the Soviet Grand Prix later this year. Local sportscar driver Jaroslav Vlcek is entered as the driver.

Formal entry: Jaroslav Vlcek (Julius Kubinsky) - JK Mono 3000 chassis 1, Tatra F1 V8 engine 1

[tommykl]

Since it seems like Mr McClean has disappeared off the face of the earth, JAMR would like to state that they will enter all four cars for all four races this year, with the same combinations that they ran for the final race of the 1954 season.

EDIT: After some deliberation with the glorious leader, the State Committee for Sports and Body Culture of USSR has decided to enter the Formula One world championship for the glory of Mother Russia. It will "purchase" the existing Ferrari, Maserati and remaining owned by Jaguar at the nominal value of $0, and the two damaged Aston chassis, also at the nominal value of $0. Because bathplug capitalism

£20 000, or 160 000 rubles

Julius Kubinsky, a car constructor from Brno, built his own Grand Prix car back in 1949 and entered it for the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix that year. Unfortunately the car, driven by Karel Vlasin, was damaged in a collision with a truck during practice and Kubinsky was unable to repair it for the race. Now, six years later, Kubinsky starts his second attempt to enter Grand Prix racing. Realising that his old car is completely outdated by now, he acquired an OSCA 53 chassis and an OSCA 3000V8 engine for just GBP 3500. The car will be modified and rebadged as JK Mono 3000, while the engine, due to Kubinsky's Tatra connections, will be called Tatra F1 V8. The car is expected to debut at the Soviet Grand Prix later this year. Local sportscar driver Jaroslav Vlcek is entered as the driver.

Formal entry: Jaroslav Vlcek (Julius Kubinsky) - JK Mono 3000 chassis 1, Tatra F1 V8 engine 1

And you also get 20 grand!

[TomWazzleshaw]

Jaguar Factory Break-In, Cars Stolen

In a sensational turn of events, the Jaguar factory in Whitley has been broken into overnight, just weeks before the beginning of the 1955 World Championship. The robbery came in the midst of preparations for the pre-season non-championship events in France and the former British colony of Singapore, and has forced the dominant Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing team to skip both events. Amongst the carnage of the crime scene, several high-value racing cars have been reported missing, including an ex-factory Ferrari 155 Formula One car which was originally destined for America to compete in the famed Indianapolis 500 mile sweepstakes. Jaguar owner Sir William Lyons was unavailable to comment on the incident.

Aston Martins Missing, Competitors on High Alert

Just days after a break-in at the Jaguar factory, the Aston Martin workshop in Gaydon, Warwickshire has befallen a similar fate. With the Midlands region already on high alert after the early brazen robbery in nearby Coventry, the second break-in in as many weeks for the championship-winning Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing organisation has left many in the team in a state of panic as the team's interrupted pre-season preparations continue. Unlike the earlier Jaguar incident, none of the active Formula One racing cars were taken. However, two decommissioned car shells that had been damaged in earlier accidents in competition have been reported missing to authorities. When questioned about the latest incident, Aston Martin owner David Brown moved quickly to assure the press that these two incidents are not related, and every precaution has been taken to prevent a re-occurrence in the future.

EXTRA: CAMBRIDGE "THIRD MAN" SUSPECTED IN MIDLANDS ROBBERIES

As authorities continue to investigate the two robberies in the Midlands that have gripped the nation, rumours are starting to float around London that the Soviet Union and the much-maligned Cambridge "Third Man" were the parties behind the break-ins at the Jaguar and Aston Martin factories. In the midst of heightened tensions between the Capitalist West and Communist East and the budding "Race to Space", it has been noted that the Soviet Union has taken particular interest in Auto Racing, and Formula One in particular, a traditional playground for the European aristocracy and automotive manufacturers. With the inaugural Soviet Grand Prix to take place in the summer of 1955, it is believed that the Soviet Union Sports Committee is keenly interested in entering local drivers in the race to take on the best racers Europe and the world has to offer as a PR boon for the ruling Communist Regime.

To fulfil the wishes of the party, it has been theorised that the KGB conducted the break-ins at the two factories of the dominant Jaguar-Aston Martin Racing team at Coventry and Warwickshire to acquire machinery and information for a potential Soviet-based racing organisation. In order to conduct such a operation in the manner that was undertaken however, the KGB would have needed an insider on the ground within the JAMR team to act as a mole for the Soviet spy network. With the suspected defection of former Cambridge University students Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess still fresh on the minds of the British Public and Intelligence Agencies, suspicion is now turning to the long-fabled "Third Man" within the supposed Cambridge Spy network, who would have acted as a sleeper agent for the KGB as a member of the JAMR team to allow for the robbery to occur. While both Aston Martin owner David Brown and Jaguar co-owner William Walmsely have been quick to deny that any team members could be a potential spy, it is believed that MI6 are looking into the break-ins at the two factories for any links to the Soviets.

[tommykl]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Trois)
Officine Renzo
Undoubtedly the best completely new team of last season, they look even stronger this season with some brand spanking new Alfa gear and an old, but good, Ambrosiana, as well as the full-time contracts of star drivers Dorino Serafini and Toulo de Graffenried, even though Serafini has developped a reputation as a crasher. The Ambrosiana will be driven by last year's one-off driver Franco Rol, who wants one more season before retirement. Regular points and perhaps podiums are a reasonable expectation.

How good are their drivers?
Dorino "Don'trino" Serafini
Formula 1
World Championship runner-up in 1950
4 championship Grand Prix victories (2 in 1952, 1 each in 1950 and 1951)
6 podiums
66 points
5 pole positions
7 fastest laps
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1950 Penya Rhin Grand Prix, the 1951 Syracuse Grand Prix and the 1951 San Remo Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1949 and 1950 Giro delle Calabria
1950 Coppa della Toscana
Other
1939 500cc European Motorcycle Champion

Toulo "Enzo still has my number!?" de Graffenried
Formula 1
World Championship runner-up in 1951
3 championship Grand Prix victories (2 in 1951, 1 in 1952)
8 podiums
57 points
3 pole positions
2 fastest laps
Non-championship wins
1948 and 1949 Grands Prix of Eastern Switzerland
1949 British Grand Prix
1953 Syracuse Grand Prix
1953 Lavant Cup
1953 Internationales ADAC Eifelrennen
Numerous other podiums
Sportscar wins
1954 Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix
1954 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Franco "Not injured anymore!" Rol
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 26th (1951)
2 points
Non-championship
5th place in the 1950 San Remo Grand Prix
Sportscar results
1949 Circuito di Pescara winner
2nd place in the 1949 Targa Florio
3rd place in the 1949 Mille Miglia

Phoenix Racing Organisation
After two seasons of occasional podiums and success with Alberto Ascari, 1954 was a brutal return to reality for Phoenix, without a single point being scored, mostly due to a chronic lack of reliability. With yet another new chassis design and a supply of engines from Bentley, they'll want to bounce back, again with Ascari, still looking for his maiden Grand Prix win to go with his impressive sportscar exploits at Ferrari. Wolfgang von Trips joins the team as a reserve driver.

How good are their drivers?
Alberto "Definitely not about to die" Ascari
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 6th (1952)
4 podiums
27 points
Non-championship wins
1948, 1951 San Remo Grand Prix
1949 Swiss Grand Prix
1949 International Trophy
1949 Italian Grand Prix
1950 Penya Rhin Grand Prix
1952 Syracuse Grand Prix
1952 and 1953 Pau Grands Prix
1952 Marseilles Grand Prix
1952 Grand Prix du Comminges
1952 La Baule Grand Prix
1953 Grand Prix de Bordeaux
1955 Valentino Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1948 Circuito di Pescara (with Giovanni Bracco)
1950 Luxembourg Grand Prix
1950 Rome Grand Prix
1953 1000 km of the Nürburgring (with Giuseppe Farina)
1954 Mille Miglia

Wolfgang von Trips
Formula 1
Complete rookie.
Sportscars
2nd place in the 1954 Eifelrennen Nürburgring (ser.S1.6/GT1.6)
3rd place in the 1954 Rheinland Nürburgring (ser.S1.6/GT1.6)
5th place in the Berlin Grand Prix (ser.S1.6/GT1.6)
33rd place in the 1954 Mille Miglia

Bernard C. Ecclestone
After yet another change of ownership, Scuderia Maremmana/Mercedes Benz/Bernie Ecclestone are back with a whole new team of drivers. Ecclestone himself will drive one of the main cars in tandem with junior driver Stuart Lewis-Evans, while the first car will be driven by Hernando da Silva Ramos, last year's Gordini driver and winner of the Belgian Grand Prix. With the old Merc chassis and some Bentley engines, points are their goal this season.

How good are their drivers?
Hernando "My name is too long" da Silva Ramos
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 4th (1954)
1 championship Grand Prix victory (1954)
2 podiums
17 points
2 pole positions
1 fastest lap
Sportscars
Winner of the 1954 and 1955 Coupes de Vitesse
2nd place in the 1954 Coupes de Paris
Other wins
1953 Rallye des Sables

Bernie "Junior Jew" Ecclestone
Formula 1
8 entries, 3 starts, best result of 15th place.
Non-championship
5th place in the 1953 London Trophy
Others
Numerous podiums and occasional victories in British Formula 3

Stuart "I almost have three first names" Lewis-Evans
Formula 1
Complete rookie.
Sportscar wins
1954 Circuito di Senigallia (R750)
British Formula 3 wins
1951 Brands Hatch Open Challenge
1951 Junior Brands Hatch Championship
1952 International Trophy support race
1952 Brands Hatch Senior Race
1953 Crystal Palace Elizabethan Trophy
1953 Great Auclum meeting
1953 Brighton Speed Trials
1953 Redex Trophy support race

Ecurie Nationale Belge
After buying a whole lot of cars in the post-season auction, striking deals with various manufacturers and starting to build chassis for Cooper, Jacques Swaters' bunch is once again ready to tackle a new season with survival being the key word. They've retained all the drivers they could, and with Swaters driving full time for Anglo-Italia, Johnny Claes has been chosen to lead the team. Expect kek most of the time, yet inexplicable survival.

How good are their drivers?
André "I told you I was good!" Pilette
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 9th (1951)
1 podium
11 points
1 pole position
Non-championship
2nd place at the 1954 Grand Prix des Frontières
2nd place at the 1954 Grand Prix de Cadours
Sportscars
3rd place at the 1950 12 Hours of Paris (with Herman Roosdorp)
8th place at the 1953 24 Hours of Spa (with van Wettel)
Other
Belgian Driver of the Year in 1954

Johnny "The Sax Man" Claes
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 18th (1952)
2 points
Non-championship
Numerous top five finishes and podiums
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1948 Grand Prix des Frontières (S+2.0)
6th place in the 1952 Silverstone International
8th place in the 1948 12 Hours of Paris
12th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (first in class)
Other wins
1950 and 1951 Grands Prix des Frontières (Formula 2)
1951 and 1953 Liège-Rome-Liège Rallies
Belgian Driver of the Year from 1950 to 1953

Paul "The hero Maserati got" Frère
Formula 1
29 entries, 9 starts, best result of 11th.
Non-championship
1952 Grand Prix des Frontières winner
2nd place in the 1953 ADAC Eifelrennen
Sportscars
4th place in the 1949 24 Hours of Spa
15th place in the 1953 24 Hours of le Mans with Richard von Frankenberg

Lucien "Fresh out of the crib" Bianchi
Formula 1
One single entry, failed to start.
Sportscars
7th place in the 1953 Tour de France Automobile
Other
Johnny Claes' word that he's the best thing since sliced bread.

Georges "Not Burger" Berger
Formula 1
One single entry, failed to start.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1950 Grand Prix des Frontières
3rd place in the 1954 Grand Prix de Caen
4th place in the 1954 Grand Prix de Rouen
Sportscars
17th in the 1953 24 Hours of Spa

Roger "I have two first names" Laurent
Formula 1
3 entries, 1 start, no finishes.
Non-championship
Winner of the 1952 Eläintarhanajot
2nd place in the 1953 Grand Prix des Frontières
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1954 12 Hours of Reims (with Jacques Swaters)
4th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with Jacques Swaters)
7th place in the 1954 Tourist Trophy (with Jacques Swaters)

Léon "Self-explanatory" Dernier
Formula 1
Nope. Nothing in here. Who even is that guy?
Sportscars
Retired from the 1953 24 Hours of Spa
...Really? That's it? Oh boy...

[tommykl]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Cat)
BRUNEL
After managing a superb 8th place in Sebring last year, de Filippis will not return to BRUNEL this year due to the lack of a flyaway race that she wouldn't attend with her own car. Therefore, the team have turned to female rally drivers Anne Hall and Pat Moss, the second being Stirling Moss' younger sister. Both will be attending in Silverstone and Edinburgh.

How good are their drivers?
Anne "Tulips in her Hair" Hall
Formula 1
One single entry, did not start.
Other wins
1951 and 1952 Ladies' Cup in the RAC Rally
1953 Ladies' Cup in the London Motor Rally
1953 Coupes des Dames in the Alpine Rally, with a Coupe des Alpes (no penalties)
1954 Ladies' class in the International Viking Rally
1954 Ladies' Cup in the Tulip Rally
1954 Ladies' European Rally Champion

Pat "Thanks, Stirling!" Moss
Formula 1
Yeah, no.
Other
Regular club rallying in 1953 and 1954.
Her brother is Stirling Moss.

Officine Alfieri Maserati
I would repeat the "hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha" from last year, but Maserati were actually marginally better in 1954 than in 1953, for some inexplicable reason. Now, with the hopeless chassis-engine combo continuing for another year, and with such gigantic entry lists, plus the lack of a Sebring round to increases chances of race starts, it's safe to say that Maserati won't last much longer. This year, they keep Flockhart as lead driver while Frère moves to ENB. He is replaced by Brazilian stalwart and resident slow guy Chico Landi.

How good are their drivers?
Ron "The hero Maserati deserves" Flockhart
Formula 1
9 entries, 7 starts, no finishes.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1953 Newcastle Journal Trophy
Formula Libre wins
1951 Ulster Trophy
1952 Crimond
1953 Charterhall & Snetterton
1954 Ibsley

Chico "The Brazil Nut" Landi
Formula 1
12 entries, 4 starts, best result of 11th.
Non-championship wins
1941 Grand Prix of Rio de Janeiro
1948 Bari Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1950 Boa Vista
1950 Interlagos Formula Libre
1951 Interlagos Grand Prix
1951 Sao Paulo Grand Prix
1952 Bari Grand Prix (S+1.1)
1954 Salvador sportscar race
1954 Bahia Grand Prix

Balkan Leader
Despite both Leader and Balkan Eagle being in dire financial situations, both survive thanks to a surprising merger between both outfits. While both teams seem to be cooperating well and will run Balkan Eagle's sole remaining car from 1954, they haven't yet entered a car for any race this season. However, they have signed Australian journeyman Stan Jones for the drive.

How good are their drivers?
Stan "If you think I'm slow, wait 'til you see my son!" Jones
Formula 1
14 entries, 11 starts, best result of 8th.
Non-championship
1954 New Zealand Grand Prix winner

Loyer Racing
Making your début as a manufacturer is never easy in Formula One, but Loyer eventually managed to pull it off, making it to the lower midfield by the end of the season, mainly thanks to Mike Hawthorn. However, with the Brit leaving the team to drive for Vanwall, they will have to rely on the aptly-named French veteran Roger Loyer and the rich Spanish youngster Alfonso de Portago. With new Porsche engines in the car, they won't be slipping behind this season.

How good are their drivers?
Roger "Only sounds like nepotism" Loyer
Formula 1
One single entry, good pace before retiring.
Non-championship
4th place at the 1947 Albi Grand Prix
4th place at the 1947 Grand Prix du Comminges
5th place at the 1954 Pau Grand Prix
10th place at the 1954 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1953 Coupes du Salon
1953 Agen International
Other wins
1937 French 250cc Motorcycle Grand Prix
1938 French 350cc Motorcycle Grand Prix

Alfonso "Ladies' Choice" de Portago
Formula 1
Nothing yet.
Sportscars
Winner of the 1954 Circuit de Metz
Winner of the 1954 Bahamas Cup
2nd place in the 1954 1000 km of Buenos Aires
2nd place in the 1954 Nassau Trophy
Other wins
The hearts of many a young lady in the stands

[pycku]

I thought I've mentioned it, but just to confirm it: Balkan Leader is to participate in all races this season (as far as our budget allows it)

[dr-baker]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Cat)

Alfonso "Ladies' Choice" de Portago

[u]Other wins
The hearts of many a young lady in the stands

Just so long as he doesn't try banging up the BRUNEL drivers in Great Britain...

[tommykl]

The totes amazeballs 1955 season preview! (Part Sink)
Anglo Racing Engineering
After some promising performances in 1953, ARE ended doing the exact same thing in 1954, and with Aldo Gordini continuing to drive for the team, expect this year to be worse thanks to the mahoosive entry lists. Making a few starts would be a good objective.

How good are their drivers?
Aldo "Nepotism!" Gordini
Formula 1
20 entries, 13 starts, best result of 6th place.
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1950 Grand Prix de Cadours
Sportscars
5th place in the 1948 Coupes du Salon
7th place in the 1948 24 Hours of Spa
Retired from the 24 Hours of le Mans in 1950 and 1951

Reatherson Racing Development
After a reduced schedule last season, Reatherson are determined to bounce back this year, with two cars for highly-rated drivers Ken Wharton and Lance Macklin. Starting races regularly should be a good objective considering the large amount of entries for each and every race.

How good are their drivers?
Lance "I'm not Irish!" Macklin
Formula 1
23 entries, 13 starts, best result of 7th place.
Non-championship
Winner of the 1952 Daily Express International Trophy
2nd place at the 1949 Grand Prix des Fronitères
2nd place at the 1952 Circuit du Lac
3rd place at the 1953 Circuit du Lac
Sportscars
3rd place at the 1951 24 Hours of le Mans (with Eric Thompson)
3rd place at the 1954 12 Hours of Sebring (with Huntoon)
4th place at the 1952 Silverstone International

Ken "Not Warden" Wharton
Formula 1
13 entries, 2 starts, best finish of 11th place.
Non-championship wins
1953 Glover Trophy
1953 Newcastle Journal Trophy
Sportscar wins
1951 Goodwood September Handicap
1952 Boreham International (S2.0)
1953 National Snetterton (R+S)
1954 12 Hours of Reims (with Peter Whitehead)
Other wins
British Hill Climb Champion in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954
1954 Brighton Speed Trials
1949, 1950 and 1952 Tulip Rallies
World's Best Chin

Geoff Richardson Racing
Despite being injured heavily in the Bremgarten fiasco, Richardson will keep running his team from his hospital bed, and has signed two drivers to drive his own cars. The main driver is undoubtedly the American Harry Schell, fresh off the back of his maiden podium in Italy. The second will be little-known club racer Robin Montgomerie-Charrington. With official support from Bentley, like last season, this could be the year the team finally gets a break.

How good are their drivers?
Harry "No relation to the fuel" Schell
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 14th (1952)
1 podium
13.5 points
1 fastest lap
Non-championship
Numerous podiums, no race victory.
Sportscars
Winner of the 1949 Coupes du Salon
2nd place in the 1954 1000 km of Buenos Aires (with Alfonso de Portago)
3rd place in the 1951 Tour de France Automobile (with Elio Checcacci)
5th place in the 1955 1000 km of Buenos Aires (with Elie Bayol)
5th place in the 1955 12 Hours of Sebring (with Piero Taruffi)
6th place in the 1953 24 Hours of le Mans (with Maurice Trintignant)

Robin "This is a pseudonym" Montgomerie-Charrington
Formula 1
You wish.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1952 Grand Prix des Frontières
A handful of other participations
Other wins
F1's most pompous name
Life

Assasti Millanti
After 7 entries without a start last year, Assasti Millanti will attempt to go on with newly acquired Ultimate chassis and Mercedes engines, in the hands of Belgian driver and ENB driver André Milhoux, who hasn't shown much yet in his career. With very little cash left in the bank, this is not likely to go well for them. Expect a whole lot of red on their championship table, if they even decide to enter.

How good are their drivers?
André "Not a goddamn dog" Milhoux
Formula 1
One single entry, did not start.
Sportscars
14th place in the 1953 24 Hours of Spa (with Pauwels)
58th place in the 1953 Mille Miglia (first in class)
Other wins
1948 European Motocross Champion
1953 Belgian Touring Car Champion (2L category)

[tommykl]

The totes yada-yada-yada preview! (Part Cease)
Rennkollektiv EMW
After yet another season of failure in 1954, EMW finally gave up on their car and looked somewhere else for a car. They bought Hampshire's old Aston Martin and a few engines from everywhere else, effectively becoming a privateer. Hans Herrmann was dumped in favour of veteran Karl Kling, who will hope to take the team to new heights, or at least higher than before. Which is like reaching the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean from the Marianas Trench.

How good are their drivers?
Karl "Klunky" Kling
Formula 1
6 entries, no starts.
Non-championship wins
1954 Berlin Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
13 national victories in Germany
1952 Bern Grand Prix
1952 Carrera Panamericana (with Hans Klenk)
Other
1948 and 1949 German Sportscar Champion (S2.0)
1952 German Sportsman of the Year

Ecurie Albertini
Not much to say here, really. The Monégasque team performed as expected, and with the same package and Sergio Mantovani to drive the car, expectations aren't exactly through the roof. Making it through prequalifying would be a good start. Especially considering that Mantovani's career was ended in March when he lost a leg in the Valentino Grand Prix

How good are their drivers?
Sergio "I could do this with one leg!" Mantovani
Formula 1
One single entry, did not start.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1954 Rome Grand Prix
Sportscars
Winner of the 1953 Circuito de Caserta
Winner of the 1954 Coppa d'Oro della Dolomiti
2nd place in the 1953 Giro della Calabria
2nd place in the 1953 Supercortemaggiore
3rd place in the 1953 Targa Florio
Other
He's missing a goddamn leg!

Trod van Hoff Racing
Riess' performance in Monza was dismal, and the car did not appear to be among the best, but this season, with an O.S.C.A. engine, a full schedule and the driving "talent" of Helmut Niedermayr, well...I don't see how it can get worse.

How good are their drivers?
Helmut "Burnt Knackers" Niedermayr
Formula 1
2 entries, no starts.
Non-championship
7th place in the 1954 Berlin Grand Prix
Sportscars
2nd place in the 1952 24 Hours of le Mans (with Theo Helfrich)
Numerous other podiums in national German races

Owen Racing Organisation
After briefly entering the world championship back in 1951 in a joint operation with ENB before vanishing as part of a merger with Bentley, BRM have returned, but only as a private team with one goal: becoming a constructor again in the near future. In the meantime, though, they have purchased a Bentley package and a spare O.S.C.A. engine for Ken McAlpine to drive. However, they haven't entered any championship race yet, so perhaps this comeback might not even truly happen.

How good are their drivers?
Kenneth "Last King of Scotland" McAlpine
Formula 1
Why even bother? Nothing.
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1952 Newcastle Journal Trophy
3rd place in the 1954 Lavant Cup
Sportscars
A whole lot of podiums, including victories in Blandford, Goodwood, Snetterton and Brands Hatch.
Other
Loadsamoney

[Ataxia]

*gets provisional entry list in the post*

What's this asterisk? Is that just a smudge from a typewriter?...oh, golly, it appears not!

*picks up telephone earpiece and receiver*

Operator, get me the FIA! We ARE entering all of the races, dash it!

Yeah, just to confirm Owen Racing Organisation will be sending Ken McAlpine to each race with the minimum of spares whilst we cobble together our own cars for 1956.

[tommykl]

The painfully obvious that's it's 1955 season preview! (Part Kek)
Ecurie Voeckler
The small French team was formed at the tail end of 1954 in the outskirts of Paris, and with a markedly French feel to it, they have secured the driving talent of André Simon for the main car and the dependable Louis Rosier for a part-time entry, a few years after his last Formula One entry. Thanks to links with Alfa customers Renzo, Voeckler have also managed to acquire two new Alfa Romeo chassis to pair with their Jaguar engines, which they will be taking to all races this season. They have no reason to be pessimistic, and they might well be starting races by the end of the year.

How good are their drivers?
André "Mercedes actually paid to get me" Simon
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 10th (1952)
1 championship Grand Prix victory (in 1952)
2 podiums
12 points
Non-championship wins
1952 Grand Prix du Comminges
1952 Grand Prix de Paris
Sportscars
5th place in the 1952 24 Hours of le Mans (with Lucien Vincent)
Formula 2
Winner of the 1950 Circuit du Médoc
Winner of the 1951 Grand Prix des Sables-d'Olonne
2nd place in the 1950 German Grand Prix
2nd place in the 1952 Paris Grand Prix
2nd place in the 1952 Monza Grand Prix

Louis "Rosebud" Rosier
Formula 1
8 entries, 6 starts, best finish of 10th place.
Non-championship wins
1947, 1950, 1952 and 1953 Albi Grands Prix
1948 Grand Prix du Salon
1949 Belgian Grand Prix
1950 Dutch Grand Prix
1951 Bordeaux Grand Prix
1952 Grand Prix de Cadours
1953 Grand Prix des Sables d'Olonne
Sportscars
Winner of the 1950 24 Hours of le Mans (with Jean-Louis Rosier)
Winner of the 1950 Rouen Grand Prix
2nd place in the 1950 500 miles of Rafaela
2nd place in the 1953 12 Hours of Reims
2nd place in the 1955 2 Hours of Dakar
3rd place in the 1948 Circuito di Pescara
5th place in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana

Ecurie Maghreb
Bringing in some African flavour over from Morocco is Ecurie Maghreb, a small garage-based team based in Casablanca. Planning on entering every race with local driver Robert la Caze and a few more with Italian youngster Lorenzo Bandini and other local driver André Guelfi, their driver choice was heaviyl questioned, and indeed, the completely unknown Bandini (born in what is now Libya) was refused a racing licence for the season. Entering a combination of Lancias and Ambrosianas, this team could go absolutely anywhere in terms of performance, but with these drivers, very probably down. La Caze might not get a licence for most races, yet he's been designated as lead driver in place of the much more experienced and respected André Guelfi.

How good are their drivers?
Robert "From the Desert" la Caze
Formula 1
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
No.
Other
Winner of the 1954 Morocco Rally
Frequent success in other North African rallies

André "Stacking Bills" Guelfi
Formula 1
Yeah, still nothing.
Sportscars
Winner of the 1952 and 1953 Circuits de Marrakech
Winner of the 1953 Agadir Grand Prix
2nd place in the 1951 and 1954 Agadir Grands Prix
3rd place in the 1952 Coupes de Vitesse
3rd place in the 1955 Agadir Grand Prix
4th place in the 1953 Coupes du Salon
6th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans
Other
Fishing boat proceeds. Lots of them.

Lorenzo "Bambino" Bandini
Absolutely bathplugging nothing!

Porsche System Engineering
After an abortive start in 1951 as engine supplier for the since-forgotten International Racing Group, Porsche make their grand return to the Formula One scene, which may just as well be a début. Investing a whole lot of money into their engine and using the rebadged Loyer chassis in exchange for the Austrians using their engine, the Stuttgart firm will enter a very uninspiring duo going by last year's results. Jean Behra and Eugenio Castellotti rarely showed pace last year, but Castellotti is still young, and Behra was at least consistant, so this season can go either way for Porsche.

How good are their drivers?
Jean "Deadweight" Behra
Formula 1
14 entries, 5 starts, best finish of 10th place (twice).
Non-championship wins
1952 Grand Prix de la Marne
1952 Circuit du Lac
1954 Grand Prix de Cadours
Sportscars
Winner of the 1954 Coupes du Salon
2nd place in the 1953 Tour de France automobile
2nd place in the 1954 Agadir Grand Prix
Other
French Motorcycle Champion in 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951
1950 Mont Ventoux Hill Climb winner

Eugenio "Something for the ladies" Castellotti
Formula 1
2 entries, no starts.
Non-championship
4th place in the 1955 Valentino Grand Prix
Sportscar wins
1952 Coppa d'Oro di Sicilia
1952 Circuito do Porto
1952 Circuito di Senigallia
1953 Trofeo Sardo
1953 10 hours of Messina (with Giulio Musitelli)
1954 Aosta-Gran San Bernardo
1954 Firenze-Siena

British Commonwealth Motorsport Association
The British government have made a bid for some motorsport glory to provide some more healthy British competition in the World championship by making everything in house thanks to a considerable budget and help from Alvis and Armstrong Siddeley. To do this, they have hired two young British talents and an Italian "mercenary" (as they themselves describe the lethargic qualifier but ruthless racer that is Umberto Maglioli) to drive the third car. Top duties will be assumed by Gordini refugee Peter Collins and young dentistry student and handy driver Tony Brooks.If they don't have immediate success, they certainly stand a chance at staying in F1 for the long run.

How good are their drivers?
Peter "I'll get there one day" Collins
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 11th (1954)
1 podium
10 points
Non-championship
A handful of podiums at Goodwood, Crystal Palace, the Eifelrennen and Sables d'Olonne
Sportscar wins
1952 9 hours of Goodwood (with Pat Griffith)
1953 Tourist Trophy (with Pat Griffith)
5 national British race victories in Silverstone, Goodwood, Croft and Gamston
Other
3rd place in the 1951 British Formula 3 championship

Umberto "Act your talent level" Maglioli
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 23rd (1954)
2 points
9 entries, one single start. Finished fifth.
Sportscar wins
1953 Targa Florio
1953 12 Hours of Pescara (with Mike Hawthorn)
1953 Guadalupe Grand Prix
1954 1000 km of Buenos Aires (with Giuseppe Farina)
1954 Imola Grand Prix
1954 Supercortemaggiore (with Mike Hawthorn)
1954 Circuito di Senigallia
1954 Carrera Panamericana

Tony "The Dentist" Brooks
Formula 1
Move along, nothing to see here.
Sportscars
19 podiums in national British races, including five race victories, four of them at Goodwood and one at Snetterton.
Others
He's only a bloody dentist...

[tommykl]

The is it over yet? season preview! (Part Wheat)
FRacing
What can I say? This team sounds surreal on so many levels. First of all, the name FRacing sounds overly corporate and lifeless and soul-less, despite being run by one bloke out of his garage. Federico Hernandez III at least has the excuse of having a first name beginning with F, but that's all I can say to justify that name. Speaking of said garage, running a team in a mostly European championship out of a small garage in Buenos Aires does not sound like the best of financial choices, much like doing so from Australia (but that's a story for another instalment). On top of this, not only is he running the team from a garage, he's not even a privateer. He's building his own chassis in said garage, called the FH355. FH for Federico Hernandez, 55 for the year. Why he felt the need to abbreviate the "III" into "3" is anybody's guess. And he doesn't choose a normal, run-of-the-mill engine supplier either. Instead, he specifically asks FIAT, of all people, to make him an engine. He does something right by hiring the dependable Roberto Mieres as first driver, then does the unthinkable by looking in the United States for a second driver, offering drives to competitive AAA drivers who would much rather stay successful Stateside. In the end, he wound up signing the aging Spider Webb for a miserable two races. This, shall we say, "unconventional" team will probably have a hard time surviving.

How good are their drivers?
Roberto "I'd rather sail away" Mieres
Formula 1
15 entries, 6 starts, best finish of 11th place.
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1954 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
2nd place in the 1955 Valentino Grand Prix
Sportscars
1949 Argentine Sportscar Champion
2nd place in the 1953 Roubaix Grand Prix
3rd place in the 1953 Caen Grand Prix
6th place in the 1953 Supercortemaggiore

Spider "Of course it's a nickname!" Webb
Formula 1
The obligatory 1950 Indy 500 entry, did not start.
AAA
43 entries for 23 starts, 4 career podiums, best championship finish of 17th in 1949.

Vanwall
Another new British entrant, Tony Vandervell is taking his entry very seriously indeed, and doing everything in house. Chassis and engine. The chassis is not expected to be the best out there, but the engine has already been described as top-notch. On top of this, they have secured two highly-rated drivers to lead the team into its first season. If the racing side of things is run as well as the design side, expect some good performances from this bunch.

How good are their drivers?
Mike "The Trike" Hawthorn
Formula 1
16 entries, 9 starts, best result of 8th.
Non-championship wins
1952 Lavant Cup
1952 Ibsley F2 Race
1952 National Trophy
1953 Daily Express International Trophy
1953 Ulster Trophy
Sportscar wins
1950 Brighton Speed Trials (1100cc)
1951 Ulster Trophy Handicap
1951 Leinster Trophy
1951 Brooklands Memorial Trophy
1953 24 Hours of Spa (with Giuseppe Farina)
1953 12 Hours of Pescara (with Umberto Maglioli)
1954 Supercortemaggiore (with Umberto Maglioli)
1954 Tourist Trophy (with Maurice Trintignant)
1955 12 Hours of Sebring (with Phil Walters)
16 other national British race victories

Dennis "I'm not really" Poore
Formula 1
2 entries in 1950, one start, did not finish.
Non-championship
Winner of the 1952 Newcastle Journal Trophy
2nd place in the 1952 Madgwick Cup
Sportscars
5 British national race victories
8th place in the 1954 Tourist Trophy (with Graham Whitehead)
Three participations in the 24 Hours of le Mans (never finished)
Other
1950 British Hill Climb Champion
Founded Autosport magazine, so yeah, he's kind of a big deal.

Julius Kubinsky
The first of the one-off entries for the Soviet Grand Prix in Estonia, Kubinsky is a small-time Czechoslovakian constructor and occasional driver whose last attempt at international racing ended with his home-built car in the side of a truck before the race start, and that was six years ago. Now, having discreetly imported an old O.S.C.A. over the Iron Curtain and silently rebadged it to the JK Mono 3000, he also used his personal connection with Czech car manufacturer Tatra to also rebadge the engine as a Tatra, allowing him to receive some more prize money from the capitalist pigdogs running the championship. The car will not be driven by Kubinsky himself, but rather by local sportscar racer Jaroslav Vlcek.

How good are their drivers?
Jaroslav "It's not that hard to pronounce" Vlcek
Formula 1
What did you expect?
Non-championship
10th place in the 1949 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
Sportscars
1st place in Brno 1952
2nd place in Brno 1954
5th place in Brno 1950

Guidobaldi
The ridiculously underfunded French manufacturer has arrived with a, let's say, "innovative" design. The car has a revolutionary suspension system which makes the chassis lean in the corners to improve cornering, at least in theory. There have already been reports of the design being badly executed and the rest of the chassis being of poor build quality. While they have managed to secure a supply of Mercedes engines, their driver roster is less than impressive, entering the borderline retired Philippe Etancelin, the unproven Jacques Pollet and the inexperienced Theo Fitzau. Already crowned the Kings of Kek well before the season's start, the team will hope not to disappoint.

How good are their drivers?
Philippe "Too old for this shite" Etancelin
Formula 1
6 entries, 3 starts, no finishes.
Non-championship
1st place in the 1949 Paris Grand Prix
Numerous other podiums
Pre-War wins
1927 and 1929 Reims Grands Prix
1929 La Baule Grand Prix
1929 and 1931 Grands Prix du Comminges
1929 and 1933 Marne Grands Prix
1930 Algerian Grand Prix
1930 and 1931 Circuits du Dauphiné
1930 French Grand Prix
1930 and 1936 Pau Grands Prix
1931 Dieppe Grand Prix
1931 Circuit d'Esterel Plage
1932 and 1932 Picard Grands Prix
1934 24 Hours of le Mans

Jacques "Le Poulet" Pollet
Formula 1
Yeah. No.
Non-championship
4th place in the 1954 Grand Prix des Frontières
Sportscar wins
1954 Picard Grand Prix
1954 Tour de France Automobile (with Hubert Gauthier)
6th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with André Guelfi)

Theo "Not Helfrich" Fitzau
Formula 1
No bells rung.
Sportscars
3rd place in Leipzig 1951
Formula 2
2nd place in Halle 1950
3rd place in Halle 1951
Formula 3
2nd place in Leipzig 1950
2nd place in Freiburg 1953

[CaptainGetz12]

*throws down the newspaper* Hmm, if Bandini won't be eligible for any races, we will let Guelfi do the races in his place.

[tommykl]

The GAAHHHH, ANOTHER ONE? season preview! (Part Nuff)
Irish Racing Association
Despite their rather...unfortunate name, IRA have not behaved anything like their similarly-acronymmed military counterparts, and have quietly gotten on with business to prepare for their first season. There was some early hesitation regarding which cars to buy before settling on two factory Lancias sold before the constructor ultimately scrapped its F1 project a few weeks before the season's start. In an effort to add some Anglo-Irish friendship, the squad's main driver will be the Northern Irishman Desmond Titterington, with the second car driven mostly by motorcycle frontrunner Reg Armstrong and occasionally by veteran Joe Kelly, both Irish. The Lancia does not look like a bad car, but the drivers have to prove their worth. They could be interesting to watch.

How good are their drivers?
Desmond "Yes. Very funny." Titterington
Formula 1
Empty.
Sportscars
Winner of the 1952 Leinster Trophy
5th place in the 1953 Tourist Trophy (with Bob Dickson)
Several British national race podiums and occasional victories.

Joe "My name is too short" Kelly
Formula 1
13 entries, 3 starts, best finish of 17th place.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1952 Ulster Trophy
Sportscars
2nd place in the 1954 Leinster Trophy
7th place in the 1953 Tourist Trophy
Several British and Irish national race podiums and occasional victories.

Reg "How hard can it be?" Armstrong
Formula 1
Nope.
Motorcycles
5 World Championship Grand Prix victories
23 podiums
1952 350cc World Championship runner-up
1953 250cc World Championship runner-up
1953 500cc World Championship runner-up

Scuderia Australasia
This new team, one of two based in Oceania, does not really look promising. At all. Based in Sydney, using the already much-derided Cooper chassis, probably renting other cars throughout the season and hiring the questionable driving talent of Lex Davison. At least they're ambitious, but can they turn that into hard results, it'll certainly be interesting to see...

How good are their drivers?
Lex "'Strayan T. Rex" Davison
Formula 1
9 entries, one single start, did not finish.
Other
1954 Australian Grand Prix winner
3rd place in the 1947 Australian Grand Prix
A handful of other participations in the Australian Grand Prix

Tasman Racing Alliance
The other Australasian team, based in Auckland, they at least have the merit of buying what is a better car on paper, but have hired a complete unknown in Europe to drive the car. Bib Stilwell will be driving the unusual O.S.C.A.-Vanwall pairing. They sound slightly more promising than Australasia, but look less professional. Only time will tell...

How good are their drivers?
Bib "It's better than my real name" Stillwell
Formula 1
Are you nuts?
Other
1948 Victorian Trials Champion
11th place in the 1953 Australian Grand Prix

State Committee for Sports and Body Culture of USSR
They haven't announced a driver yet, but the USSR committee for sports has decided to enter a multi-car team in the Soviet Grand Prix held in Estonia. Aside from the JK Mono, which is really an O.S.C.A., there haven't been any reports of any single-seaters being built behind the Iron Curtain (of course, apart from the Balkan Lion engine). Despite this, they have assured us that they already have the cars ready for the race. No manufacturers have come forward to claim that they sold cars to the USSR. While some cynics have linked the announcement to the recent burglaries at Aston Martin and Jaguar, the USSR vehemently deny this. The world awaits...

The final part will consist of the drivers entered solely for the non-championship races. And the shambles that were Lancia.

[tommykl]

The Finally! It's over! season preview! (Part Deez)
Non-championship privateers
Of course, like last season, two non-championship races were selected to test new regulations for the world championship. This season, the rules are largely unchanged, but the races remain, as the CSI-backed privateer entries proved to be an effective way of bringing new talent into the sport. And not only are there privateers in this race, but some regular teams, well established or new, have entered unconctracted drivers to take part. All of these drivers will be profiled in this final part of the season preview.

Alan "Still not quite there" Brown
Formula 1
Not yet, for some reason.
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1952 Lavant Cup
2nd place in the 1953 Snetterton Coronation Trophy
3rd place in the 1952 Madgwick Cup
Sportscar wins
1954 British Empire Trophy
1954 Zandvoort International (S2.0)
5 other British national race victories and numerous other podiums
Other
1951 Luxembourg Grand Prix

Mike "Occasional driver" Oliver
Formula 1
WAR! (HUH!) What is it good for?
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1952 Newcastle Journal Trophy

Doug "I'm better at home" Whiteford
Formula 1
Two entries, no starts.
Other wins
1950 and 1953 Australian Grands Prix

Louis "Best of Monégasque" Chiron
Formula 1
Best championship finish of 5th (1950)
1 championship Grand Prix victory (in 1950)
2 podiums
15 points
1 pole position
1 fastest lap
Non-championship wins
1947 Grand Prix du Comminges
1947 and 1949 French Grands Prix
Other wins
1926 Grand Prix du Comminges
1928 Italian Grand Prix
1928 Rome Grand Prix
1928 Marne Grand Prix
1928, 1929 and 1933 Spanish Grands Prix
1929 German Grand Prix
1930 Belgian Grand Prix
1931 Monaco Grand Prix
1931, 1932 and 1933 Czechoslovakian Grands Prix
1931, 1934 and 1937 French Grands Prix
1932 Nice Grand Prix
1933 Marseilles Grand Prix
1933 24 Hours of Spa
1934 Morocco Grand Prix
1954 Monte Carlo Rally

Pierre "Bring on le Mans!" Levegh
Formula 1
2 entries, no starts.
Non-championship
Numerous podiums
Sportscars
Winner of the 1952, 1953 and 1954 Coupes d'Automne
3rd place in the 1953 12 Hours of Casablanca (with Philippe Etancelin)
4th place in the 1951 24 Hours of le Mans

Tom "Cornish Pasty" Kyffin
Formula 1
You're joking, right?
Non-championship
2nd place in the Second 1954 Cornwall M.R.C. Formula 1 Race
4th place in the First 1954 Cornwall M.R.C. Formula 1 Race
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1954 National Davidstow (S2.5)
3rd place in the 1955 National Snetterton (S+1.5)

Gordon "Sausage" Rolls
Formula 1
See above.
Non-championship
4th place in the Second 1954 Cornwall M.R.C. Formula 1 Race
Other
Naothing. Seriously. Nothing else at all.

Don "Phwoar" Beauman
Formula 1
Nothing here either.
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1954 Grand Prix des Frontières
3rd place in the 1954 Crystal Palace Trophy
3rd place in the 1954 Redex Trophy
Sportscars
6 national British race victories
3rd place in the 1953 Leinster Trophy
11th place in the 1953 1000 km of the Nürburging (with Michael Currie)
11th place in the 1954 Tourist Trophy (with Redmond Gallagher)
13th place in the 1955 British Empire Trophy

Eugène "I'm back, bitches!" Martin
Formula 1
4 entries, 1 start, best result of 18th place.
Non-championship wins
1946 Coupe Robert Mazaud
1947 Circuit des Remparts
1947 Coupe de Lyon
1947 Coupe du Congrès Technique
1949 Circuit du Lac
Sportscars
Winner of the 1947 Coupe de l'A.G.A.C.I.
2nd place in the 1949 Circuit de Sarrebrück
4th place in the 1952 12 Hours of Hyères
15th place in the 1953 Tour de France automobile

Ottorino "Slowtorino" Volonterio
Formula 1
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

No.
Non-championship
Retired from the 1952 Monza Grand Prix
Retired from the 1953 Madgwick Cup
Other
Makes Stuppacher look like Schumacher.

Horace "Twiggy" Gould
Formula 1
Again, nothing.
Non-championship
2nd place in the 1953 Bristol MC & LCC F2 Race
2nd place in the 1953 Joe Fry Memorial Trophy
3rd place in the 1953 London Trophy
Sportscars
Multiple podiums in national British races, including 3 race victories.

"The Legend from Antananarivo" Chantrel
Formula 1
Really?
Rallying
2 undisputable, crushing and dominant victories at the 1951 and 1952 International Rallies of Madagascar.
Other
Who needs anything else? As the best driver in Madagascar, he's obviously ready to take on the best in the world...

Paul "The Constructor" Emery
Formula 1
What did you expect?
Non-championship
4th place in the 1953 Curtis Trophy
Sportscars
4th place in the 1954 National Brands Hatch (Formula Libre)
Other
Occasional podiums in British Formula 3

Tony "Colditz Cock" Rolt
Formula 1
3 entries, no starts.
Non-championship wins
1953 Snetterton Coronation Trophy
1953 Crystal Palace Coronation Trophy
1953 Crystal Palace Trophy
1953 United States Air Force Trophy
1953 Bristol MC & LCC F2 Race
1953 Mid-Cheshire MC F2 Race
Sportscars
Winner of the 1953 24 Hours of le Mans (with Duncan Hamilton)
2nd place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with Duncan Hamilton)
2nd place in the 1954 12 Hours of Reims (with Duncan Hamilton)
4th place in the 1951 Tourist Trophy (with Leslie Johnson)
4th place in the 1950 24 Hours of le Mans (with Duncan Hamilton)

Jack "Not really" Fairman
Formula 1
1 single entry, did not start.
Non-championship
8th place in the 1954 August Cup
9th place in the 1953 Coronation Trophy
Sportscars
5th place in the 1953 12 Hours of Reims (with wilson)
8th place in the 1954 24 Hours of le Mans (with Tommy Wisdom)
10th place in the 1949 24 Hours of Spa (with Eric Thompson)
A handful of podiums in British national races.

Cliff "The Chin" Allison
Formula 1
Still nothing.
Other
Several podiums in British Formula 3.
Literally nothing else.

Jean-Louis "Son of my Father" Rosier
Formula 1
2 entries, one start, did not finish.
Sportscars
Winner of the 1950 24 Hours of le Mans (with Louis Rosier)
9th place in the 1954 Coupes du Salon (Sports)
16th place at the 1953 12 Hours of Reims

Cesare "No, it doesn't mean Loser" Perdisa
Formula 1
Nothing...yet.
Sportscars
3rd place in the 1954 Coppa d'Oro di Siracusa
4th place in the 1954 Imola Grand Prix
4th place in the 1955 12 Hours of Sebring

Stanley "Old Manx Wood" Woods
Formula 1
You won't see much here at all, so I'll skip this section for all not concerned.
Motorcycles
36 major Grand Prix victories from 1923 to 1939, including 10 Isle of Man TT races, 7 Ulster Trophies and 6 Dutch TT races.

Arsenio "Not a politician" Laurel
Career
Yes, not even "other"...
First major Filipino racing driver, experience racing Studebakers in Manila.

Eddie "Straight outta Porto" Carvalho
Career
1954 Macau Grand Prix winner

Thomas "Triple-barrell" Pitt Cholmondeley-Tapper
Career
10th place in the 1936 German Grand Prix
Missed a Mercedes-Benz test to go skiing, then promptly retired. This race is a one-off comeback.

Lim "Peng" Han
Career
9 race victories at Brooklands in the 1930s.
Participation in races in Donington in 1933 and 1934.
Numerous Singaporean racing records in hillclimbing and local racing.

Chan "Lye" Choon
Career
Local racing in a Citroën DS.
Gap Hill Hillclimb class winner in 1954

Bill "Who's this "Rob" fellow?" Lomas
Motorcycles
5 World Championship race podiums
Best championship of 7th in the 1950 and 1952 350cc World Championships

Colin "Where's my pen?" Chapman
Non-championship
17th place in the 1954 International Trophy
Sportscars
17 British national race victories in Silverstone, Castle Combe, Gamston, Ibsley, Goodwood, Snetterton, Fairwood and Crystal Palace.

Rodney "Knuckles" Nuckey
Non-championship
Numerous top 5 finishes, including 3rd place in the 1953 Syracuse Grand Prix
Formula 2 wins
1953 Coronation Trophy
1953 and 1954 Eläintarhanajot
Formula 3 wins
1952, 1953 and 1954 in Falkenberg (Sweden)
1952 and 1953 in Skarpnäck (Sweden)
1953 Brands Hatch Easter Handicap
1953 Silverstone meeting
1954 Vaxjo meeting
1954 Bressuire meeting
1954 Davidstow meeting
Sportscars
Occasional podiums and victories in national races.

Eldred "Mad Scientist" Norman
Career
4th place in the 1954 Australian Grand Prix
Numerous other starts in the Australian Grand Prix; led the 1951 race before retiring.

Bill "Tennisman's son" Patterson
Career
1954 Australian Hillclimb Champion
Three participations in the Australian Grand Prix.

Carel "Going places. Not F1 yet, but places." Godin de Beaufort
Career
Nothing. At all. Why is he even here?

Rob "Holemaker" Slotemaker
Career
Still. Nothing. How did they make it this far?

Bruce "Heavy Metal" Halford
Non-championship
15th place in the 1954 Goodwood Trophy
Sportscars
3 podiums at Davidstow in 1954.

Eric "GenEric" Thompson
Non-championship wins
1953 Redex Trophy
Sportscars
Winner of the 1953 9 Hours of Goodwood (with Reg Parnell)
2nd place in the 1953 Tourist Trophy (with Reg Parnell)
3rd place in the 1951 24 Hours of le Mans (with Lance Macklin)
Multiple wins and podiums in local British races.

Jorge "Power of the 'stache" Daponte
Non-championship
4th place in the 1954 Pescara Grand Prix
5th place in the 1955 Rouen GRand Prix
Sportscars
Retirements in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana and 12 Hours of Sebring

Clemar "Clever" Bucci
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1948 San Remo Grand Prix
6th place in the 1948 Nations Grand Prix
6th place in the 1954 Pescara Grand Prix
Other
3rd place in the 1950 Copa Eva Peron

Bill "The President" Whitehouse
Non-championship
3rd place in the 1954 Curtis Trophy
4th place in the 1954 Crystal Palace Trophy
6th place in the 1954 International Gold Cup
Other
Numerous British Formula 3 podiums, including four final victories.
One sportscar victory at Brands Hatch in 1954.

Lancia
What a shambles this was... After their brief foray into Formula One with Tazio Nuvolari in 1950, rumours about a potential return to the sport remained rife until the firm finally announced their come-back for the 1955 season. Despite this, news came slowly, and while things did end up happening, with cars being built and sold, entries being made and Carlos Menditéguy ultimately being signed for the year, backers suddenly pulled funding, prompting the withdrawal of their entries. As a sole remnant of their intention to enter, IRA will run two Lancias this year, effectively becoming a de facto works team.

Announcement for This and This only
As you may have noticed, de Beaufort and Slotemaker have absolutely zero credentials at this point, and their entry for Singapore will be turned down. Since I'm running Rouen first, you have a bit of time to find a replacement, but I'm simply telling you now so that I dont' have to wait a couple more days to start the season.

[Nessafox]

Guess i'll get Gendebien in to replace them. That way he still gets to race this year, despite refusing to race for ENB. Also i will use the name Impéria Automobiles instead of Ecurie Maarsbergen.

[tommykl]

In the news

1954
September 25th - François Duvalier wins Haitian Presidential election.

September 26th - Typhoon sinks multiple Japanese ferries; 1600 killed.

October 1st - Nigeria becomes a federation.

October 11th - Viet Minh seizes North Vietnam.

October 11th-15th - Hurricane Hazel kills 1200 in Haiti and the USA.

October 21st - Indonesian troops land on New Guinea.

October 23rd - West Germany joins NATO; Brussels treaty expands to include West Germany and Italy; Western European Union formed; occupation of Germany ceases.

October 24th - USA pledges alliance with South Vietnam.

October 30th - Indy 500 winner and brief F1 driver Wilbur Shaw (1902-1954) killed in plane crash.

October 31st - Algerian National Liberation Front launches a revolt against French rule; start of the Algerian War.

November 1st - Texas Instruments sell the first commercial transistor radio.

November 1st - Fulgencio Batista elected President of Cuba.

Novermber 3rd - Death of Henri Matisse (1869-1954).

November 5th - Rangoon peace treaty ends war between Burma and Japan.

November 14th - Muhammad Naguid deposed; Gamal Abdel Nasser becomes President of Egypt.

November 23rd - Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches all-time high.

November 24th - France sends troops to Algeria.

November 28th - Nobel Prize winner Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) dies.

December 2nd - US Senate condemns Joseph McCarthy.

December 23rd - World's first kidney transplant a success.

December 24th - Laos gains independence from France.

December 29th - Netherlands Antilles become autonomous; Kingdom of the Netherlands declared.

1955
January 2nd - President of Panama José Antonio Remon Cantera assassinated; replaced by José Ramon Guizado

January 17th - World's first nuclear submarine puts to sea.

January 20th - Communist China seizes Yijiangshian Islands from the Republic of China.

January 22nd - Pentagon announced the development of nuclear ICBMs.

January 25th - USSR announces end of the war with Germany.

February 4th - Baghdad Pact signed between Iraq and Turkey.

February 8th - Resignation of Malenkov as USSR Premier, replaced by Bulganin.

February 19th - SEATO established.

March 2nd - Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, abdicates in favour of his father.

March 3rd - First TV appearance of "Rock-and-roll" singer Elvis Presley.

March 5th - Claudette Colvin arrested in Alabama for refusing to give up her bus seat.

March 11th - Death of Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955)

March 13th - King Tribhuvan of Nepal (1906-1955) dies; replaced by his son Mahendra.

March 17th - Riots in Montréal following the suspension of hockey player Maurice Richard.

March 25th - USSR grants East Germany full sovereignty.

April 1st - EOKA launches terrorist campaign against British rule in Cyprus.

April 3rd - Guadalajara train crash kills 300.

April 5th - Winston Churchill resigns as British Prime Minister; replaced by Anthony Eden.

April 8th 1955, Grand Prix de Rouen qualifying

Here it is! The start of a new season. Well, technically not, as some other non-championship races have been held. The two races in Buenos Aires were won by Stirling Moss and a shared drive between José Froilan Gonzalez, Giuseppe Farina and Maurice Trintignant, while the Valentino Grand Prix was won by Alberto Ascari. Today, it's the Grand Prix de Rouen, won last year by Maurice Trintignant. This year, though, the Frenchman will not be taking part, as JAMR have decided to skip the non-championship races altogether, and while he found a part-time drive at Ferrari for these races, Ferrari will also skip this one as well as Singapore, held this weekend too.

With entry lists capped at 40 entrants, the FIA once again made some brand new HWM-Altas available for privateers to enter, and they didn't disappoint...

2. André Simon (Ecurie Voeckler) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 6, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 11
4. Toulo de Graffenried (Ecurie Voeckler) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 6
6. Desmond Titterington (Irish Racing Association) - Lancia D50 chassis 1, Lancia DS50 engine 1
8. Lance Macklin (Reatherson Racing Developments) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 2, Ferrari 555 engine 12
10. Alan Brown (Vanwall) - Vanwall VW55 chassis 1, Vanwall 254 engine 1
12. Chico Landi (Officine Alfieri Maserati) - Maserati AM53 chassis 2, Maserati 200F engine 2
14. Robert Manzon (Alexander Racing Team - Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 7, Gordini ART-004 engine 7
16. Porfirio Rubirosa (Alexander Racing Team - Gordini) - Gordini G-953 chassis 4, Gordini ART-004 engine 4
18. Aldo Gordini (Anglo Racing Engineering) - Gordini G-953 chassis 5, Gordini ART-004 engine 5
20. Mike Oliver (Anglo Racing Engineering) - Maserati AM53 chassis 5, O.S.C.A. 3000V8 engine 3
22. Jacques Pollet (Guidobaldi) - Guidobaldi FG01 chassis 1, Mercedes UM153 engine 10
24. Giannino Marzotto (Maria Teresa de Filippis) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 8, O.S.C.A. 156s engine 4
26. Maria Teresa de Filippis (Scuderia Anglo-Italia) - O.S.C.A. F154 chassis 5, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 3
28. André Pilette (Ecurie Nationale Belge) - Bentley Speed 4 chassis 1, Bentley 16VL-1 engine 1
30. Paul Frère (Ecurie Nationale Belge) - Cooper T40 chassis 3, Jaguar JFE-2 engine 7
32. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer Racing) - Loyer LR101 chassis 1, Porsche 755 engine 3
34. Jean Behra (Porsche System Engineering) - Porsche 855 chassis 2, Porsche 755 engine 2
36. Robert la Caze (Ecurie Maghreb) - Lancia D50 chassis 2, Lancia DS50 engine 2
38. Tony Brooks (British Commonwealth Motorsport Association) - B.C.M.A. C-01 chassis 1, B.C.M.A. A/AS Griffin engine 1
40. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 1
42. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 2, Alfa Romeo AR2V8 engine 2
44. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo SpA) - Alfa Romeo AR160 chassis 1, Alfa Romeo ARV8 engine 1
46. Stan Jones (Balkan Leader) - Alfa Romeo AR161 chassis 7, Balkan Lion F154 engine 3
48. Doug Whiteford (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
50. Louis Chiron (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
52. Pierre Levegh (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
54. Tom Kyffin (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
56. Gordon Rolls (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
58. Anne Hall (BRUNEL) - Bentley Speed 3 chassis 8, Bentley 163-1 engine 7
60. Don Beauman (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
62. Eugène Martin (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
64. Ottorino Volonterio (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
66. Horace Gould (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
68. "Chantrel" (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
70. Paul Emery (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
72. Tony Rolt (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
74. Jack Fairman (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
76. Cliff Allison (Privateer) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
78. Louis Rosier (L & J-L Rosier) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine
80. Jean-Louis Rosier (L & J-L Rosier) - HWM spec chassis, Alta spec engine

All these drivers have been talked about in the season preview, so let's cut straight to the chase. This year, 20 drivers will start each race and there will be no prequalifying session. However, due to the high amount of entrants, 40 drivers are entered instead of 30. Half of them will therefore fail to take the start...

[tommykl]

Time for some qualifying performance!

Macklin - 118
Titterington - 114
Brooks - 114
Brown - 112
Simon - 110
Volonterio - 110
J-L. Rosier - 110
Whiteford - 109
Brabham - 108
Jones - 108
Allison - 108
L. Rosier - 108
Rolt - 107
Pollet - 104
Pilette - 103
Emery - 103
Landi - 100
de Filippis - 100
de Portago - 100
Behra - 100
de Graffenried - 99
Rubirosa - 99
Farina - 98
Gaze - 98
Rolls - 98
Chantrel - 98
Chiron - 97
Fairman - 97
Oliver - 96
Marzotto - 96
Martin - 96
Gould - 96
la Caze - 95
Gordini - 94
Hall - 94
Levegh - 92
Beauman - 92
Kyffin - 91
Frère - 88
Manzon - 86

[tommykl]

Qualifying results
1. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) - 2:45.29
2. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) - 2:48.35
3. Lance Macklin (Bentley-Ferrari) - 2:49.67
4. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) - 2:49.77
5. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) - 2:50.69
6. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) - 2:50.81
7. Robert Manzon (Gordini) - 2:51.65
8. André Pilette (Bentley) - 2:51.72
9. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) - 2:52.58
10. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) - 2:53.41
11. André Simon (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:54.74
12. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) - 2:55.36
13. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) - 2:55.52
14. Toulo de Graffenried (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) - 2:56.02
15. Alan Brown (Vanwall) - 2:56.88
16. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer-Porsche) - 2:56.89
17. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) - 2:57.89
18. Jean Behra (Porsche) - 2:57.92
19. Ottorino Volonterio (HWM-Alta) - 2:58.05
20. Jean-Louis Rosier (HWM-Alta) - 2:58.66
21. Doug Whiteford (HWM-Alta) - 2:58.83
22. Cliff Allison (HWM-Alta) - 2:58.99
23. Louis Rosier (HWM-Alta) - 2:59.00
24. Robert la Caze (Lancia) - 2:59.16
25. Tony Tolt (HWM-Alta) - 2:59.17
26. Anne Hall (Bentley) - 2:59.31
27. Paul Emery (HWM-Alta) - 2:59.82
28. Louis Chiron (HWM-Alta) - 2:59.90
29. Chico Landi (Maserati) - 3:00.40
30. Gordon Rolls (HWM-Alta) - 3:00.65
31. "Chantrel" (HWM-Alta) - 3:00.66
32. Jack Fairman (HWM-Alta) - 3:00.67
33. Eugène Martin (HWM-Alta) - 3:00.98
34. Horace Gould (HWM-Alta) - 3:00.99
35. Pierre Levegh (HWM-Alta) - 3:01.64
36. Don Beauman (HWM-Alta) - 3:01.65
37. Tom Kyffin (HWM-Alta) - 3:01.80
38. Mike Oliver (Maserati-O.S.C.A.) - 3:01.85
39. Paul Frère (Cooper-Jaguar) - 3:02.41
40. Jacques Pollet (Guidobaldi-Mercedes) - 3:02.46

Alfa Romeo look very much like the team to beat, and Jack Brabham is obviously their new lead driver, and if he isn't, he will soon. A couple of surprises too, as Lance Macklin takes third place for Reatherson and the much-derided Ottorino Volonterio of all people ends up the quickest of the privateers! On top of that, Jean-Louis Rosier, usually thought to be far less talented than his father Louis, beats said father to the last spot on the grid! Also, the bottom three are not privateers, but expectedly consist of a Maserati and the new low-cost Cooper and "experimental" Guidobaldi.

[Nessafox]

Yes people, buy yourself a brand new Cooper! The car that outperformed the revolutionary Guidobaldi! And what's more, it is cheaper than a Guidobaldi!

Hey, at least we got a cool backmarker fight!

[pasta_maldonado]

I'm not sure if I've clarified this or not, so here goes:

Geoff Richardson Racing
Harry Schell / Bentley Speed 4 chassis 11 - Bentley 16VL-1 engine 11 / All rounds
Robin Montgomerie-Charrington / Bentley 53C chassis 1 - Engine TBA / Britain Only

[tommykl]

And here's performance for the race itself.

de Filippis 21
Manzon 13
Simon 9
Volonterio 7
Rubirosa 5
Gaze 5
Macklin 4
Rosier 4
Jones 2
Farina 0
de Graffenried 0
Brabham -2
Brown -2
Brooks -4
Gordini -6
Pilette -7
Marzotto -8
Titterington -12
de Portago -12
Behra -18

Not counting collisions, there will be 8 retirements. Three will be engine failures, and there will be two accidents: 1 Cat. 2 crash and 1 Cat. 1 crash.

[dr-baker]

26th out of 40 isn't too bad, I suppose. And less than a second from qualifying. Good pre-Monaco experience, I hope!

[pycku]

fifth on the grid is wonderful result for us. I hope that no problems and accidents with Jones occur in the race.

[tommykl]

April 9th 1955, Grand Prix de Rouen

Brabham got the best getaway and led the first lap from Farina and Macklin, while further back, André Simon stalled on the grid with a burnt-out clutch. Stan Jones quickly fell down the order as Manzon rose through it, while qualifying surprise Ottorino Volonterio retired on the second lap with a blown gearbox. Manzon's promising start, however, was quickly ended when André Pilette rather optimistically tried to pass him at Sanson. The Belgian tappde his rear wheel, sending the Frenchman spinning into the trackside ditch, almost taking Tony Gaze with him.

On lap 5, Farina caught and passed Brabham for the lead. Brown almost crashed into Titterington too, but both continued after the slight touch. Tony Gaze's engine promptly expired, reducing the field to 16. Brabham took the lead again on lap 8, setting the fastest lap in the process. Brooks simultaneously retired from a promising 8th place with an oil leak. Behind the dominant Alfa Romeos, Lance Macklin's brilliant run in third place was ended on lap 13 when Rubirosa finally passed him, closely followed by André Pilette. Halfway through the 30-lap race, Brabham led from Farina, who almost crashed into his teammate, Rubirosa, Pilette, Macklin, Jones, de Filippis, Marzotto, Gordini, de Graffenried, Brown, Behra, de Portago, Titterington and Rosier.

Shortly thereafter, Pilette span out on oil or possibly karma. His race was over a few laps after ending Manzon's. Just behind him, Jones took the opportunity to pass Macklin for what was now fourth place. But then, on lap 20, the race changed as Farina, trying to find a way past Brabham, span off at la Scierie, striking the earthbank and ending his race. He had been seemingly trying too hard this race to assert dominance over the Australian, who himself appeared to be effortlessly maintaining his lead. Could this be the turning point in the Italian champion's career?

On lap 23, a very surreal sight was observed as Lance Macklin and Maria Teresa de Filippis, both fighting for fourth place, saw their engines catch fire within seconds of each other. They both got out of their cars and looked at the other, more confused than anything. This left Brabham to lead from Rubirosa, the unexpected Stan Jones in the Balkan Leader, Marzotto, de Portago and Gordini. These last two would fight over fifth place with Toulo de Graffenried and Desmond Titterington.

But on this day, no one could stop the dominant Jack Brabham, winning by a long, long way over Porfirio Rubirosa in his first drive for Gordini. The ecstatic Stan Jones finished third. Marzotto was fourth, a bit closer behind. For fifth, Alfonso de Portago's Loyer won the battle for fifth place ahead of Aldo Gordini for ARE, Titterington for IRA and de Graffenried for Voeckler.

1. Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) 1:27:41.70
2. Porfirio Rubirosa (Gordini) +2:26.28
3. Stan Jones (Alfa Romeo-Balkan Lion) +1 lap
4. Giannino Marzotto (O.S.C.A.) +1 lap
5. Alfonso de Portago (Loyer-Porsche) +3 laps
6. Aldo Gordini (Gordini) +3 laps
7. Desmond Titterington (Lancia) +3 laps
8. Toulo de Graffenried (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) +3 laps
9. Jean Behra (Porsche) +3 laps
10. Alan Brown (Vanwall) +3 laps
11. Jean-Louis Rosier (HWM-Alta) +3 laps
Ret. Lance Macklin (Bentley-Ferrari) +8 laps/Engine
Ret. Maria Teresa de Filippis (O.S.C.A.-Bentley) +8 laps/Engine
Ret. Giuseppe Farina (Alfa Romeo) +11 laps/Accident
Ret. André Pilette (Bentley) +15 laps/Spin
Ret. Tony Brooks (B.C.M.A.) +23 laps/Oil leak
Ret. Tony Gaze (Alfa Romeo) +24 laps/Engine
Ret. Robert Manzon (Gordini) +28 laps/Collision
Ret. Ottorino Volonterio (HWM-Alta) +29 laps/Gearbox
Ret. André Simon (Alfa Romeo-Jaguar) +30 laps/Clutch

Fastest lap: Jack Brabham (Alfa Romeo) - 2:47.51

All three drivers involved in accidents were uninjured.

[Bobby Doorknobs]

Happy to see Des in the fight for what would normally be a points-paying position, even if he was helped by attrition, and that the Lancia appears to be a rather competitive package, meaning points may well come IRA's (and Lancia's) way this year. Although the size of the entry lists for the season proper is a bit daunting, and the gap to the frontrunners (particularly Alfa Romeo) looks intimidating, I do hope to see DNQs at a minimum, preferably zero.