Colchester Racing Developments#1960s
{{short description|British racing car constructor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Colchester Racing Developments
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_caption =
| type = Ltd.
| traded_as =
| industry = Automotive
| fate =
| predecessor =
| foundation = Colchester, 1960
| founder = Selwyn Hayward
| defunct =
| location_city = Manningtree, Essex
| location_country = Great Britain
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people =
| owner = Clive Hayward
| parent =
| divisions = CRD Tool and Engineering Ltd.
| subsid =
| homepage = [http://www.merlyncars.com/ Official website]
}}
Colchester Racing Developments produced Merlyn racing cars from 1960 to 1979. The company was founded by Clive Maskrey,Twite, Mike, "Merlyn: Wizards of the Race Track", in Ward, Ian, executive editor. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974) Volume 12, p.1326. Selwyn Hayward and continued by Hayward's brother, Clive. When the manufacture of Merlyn racing cars stopped, Clive Hayward continued to manufacture Merlyn parts as CRD Tool and Engineering Ltd. This company stopped trading in November 2015. Still, Clive Hayward continues to run Colchester Racing Developments, manufacturing Merlyn components and carrying out chassis repairs.
History
{{ infobox motor racing team
| logo =
| pixels =
| founded = 1960
| founder = Selwyn Hayward
| country = {{Great Britain}}
| state =
| principal = Clive Hayward
| current series =
| former series = BRSCC Formula Junior (1962)
British Formula 3 (1964)
French Formula 3 (1964)
British Formula 2 (1964-1965)
Trophées de France (1964-1965)
British Sports Car Championship (1964)
European Formula 2 (1968-1969)
| drivers = {{flagicon|GBR}} Jonathan Williams (1962)
{{flagicon|BEL}} Teddy Pilette (1964)
{{flagicon|GBR}}David Hobbs (1964-1966)
{{flagicon|GBR}} Chris Irwin (1964-1965)
{{flagicon|AUS}} Dave Walker (1967)
{{flagicon|GBR}} Brian Hart (1968-1969)
{{flagicon|GBR}} Robin Widdows (1969)
| driver titles =
| team titles =
}}
=1960s=
The first Merlyn was the Mark 1, a Formula Junior car which was never raced. The car was designed by Selwyn Hayward.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} It had just one feature uncommon at the time: it was mid-engined, when the majority of other cars were front-engined.Twite, p.1326. Merlyns proved popular,Twite, p.1326. even the face of competition from Coopers. Performance in Britain was mediocre, but better in the U.S.Twite, p.1326. Future Formula 1 driver Teddy Pilette drove a Mark 3 in various Formula Junior races, and attempted to build a Formula One variant.Twite, p.1326. Ian Raby drove a Mark 3 in the BRSCC Formula Junior entered by Empire Racing Team.{{cite web|title=B.R.S.C.C. John Davy Championship, Rd 8|url=http://www.formula2.net/FJ61_GB81.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The following year Merlyns were entered in the BRSCC Formula Junior by Raby and Malcolm Fruitnight. The best result was a few top five finishes at Brands Hatch.{{cite web|title=BRSCC Championship, Rd 7|url=http://www.formula2.net/FJ62_GB23.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}} 1962 was also the first year Merlyn Racing entered the prestigious Monaco Formula 3 Grand Prix. The 1962 race was no success. Driver John Brown did not manage to qualify.{{cite web|title=IV Grand Prix de Monaco - Formule Junior 1962|url=http://www.formula2.net/FJ62_E24.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}} Factory driver Jonathan Williams achieved a fifth-place finish driving a prototype Mark 5.{{cite web|title=B.R.S.C.C. Championship, Rd 18|url=http://www.formula2.net/FJ62_GB80.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
The company was sufficiently successful in developing a Mark 4 sports car, built to FIA Appendix C regulations. It and the Mark 4A could be powered by either an {{convert|1100|cc|0|abbr=on}} Ford Anglia inline four or {{convert|1998|cc|0|abbr=on}} SOHC Coventry Climax.Twite, p.1326. In Britain, these were mated to a four-speed gearbox, as the Mark 4T; in international racing, these cars were fitted with a Hewland/Volkswagen 5-speed.Twite, p.1326. A Mark 4A driven by Richard Redgrave finished second in the 1963 Copenhagen Cup at the Roskilde Ring.{{cite web|title=Non Championship Races 1963|url=http://wsrp.ic.cz/nonchamp1963.html|work=World Sports Racing Prototypes|accessdate=21 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017080004/http://wsrp.ic.cz/nonchamp1963.html|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead}} By then, Merlyns had coil springs and dampers horizontally mounted, operated by rods from the suspension.Twite, p.1326. Increasingly competitive Formula Junior racing kept works drivers Roy Pike and Jonathan Williams from dominating.Twite, p.1326.
In 1964, the Mark 6 sports car (an improved Mark 4) and Formula 3 and Formula 2 Mark 7 appeared,Twite, p.1326. as Formula Junior was effectively replaced.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} The Formula Two version faced stiff competition from Brabhams,Twite, p.1326. though future Formula One driver Chris Irwin scored several wins in one.Twite, p.1326. He drove it in the BARC Formula 3 and the British Formula 3. With three podium finishes in the British championship and a win in the BARC championship, Irwin achieved good results.{{cite web|title=Chris Irwin career|url=http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/chris-irwin/career/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} A Merlyn MK 6 was entered by the team in the Group 7 British Sports Car Championship where it achieved some top 10 results.{{cite web|title=Guards Sports Car Championship 1964|url=http://wsrp.ic.cz/bscc1964.html|work=World Sports Racing Prototypes|accessdate=21 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227185742/http://wsrp.ic.cz/bscc1964.html|archive-date=27 December 2013|url-status=dead}} American driver Charles Barns won the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in the G Modified class in 1964. Barnes competed his Mark 6 at the Runoffs in 1964 and 1965.{{cite web|title=Runoffs Driver Histories A-E|url=http://www.scca.com/assets/12-runoffs-drivers-a-e.pdf|work=SCCA|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Six Merlyns were entered into the 1965 Monaco Formula 3 Grand Prix. Three of the cars, including Iriwn's, made it to the final race. The British works driver started fifth and ended up on the podium in second place. Vincent Palmaro finished as last running driver, in 17th. The third Merlyn, driven by Roger Brash, did not finish.{{cite web|title=Grand Prix de Monaco F3 1965|url=http://www.formel3guide.com/images/ergebnisse/1965-montecarlo.pdf|work=Formel 3 Guide|accessdate=21 January 2014}} Irwin and Roger Mac were entered by Merlyn in the Trophées de France. The pair achieved no major results. Eleven Mark 7s were built in both F2 and F3 guise.{{cite web|title=Merlyn|url=http://www.f3history.co.uk/Manufacturers/Merlyn/merlyn.htm|work=F3 History|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The car's successor, the Mark 9, had some improvements increasing the fuel capacity.
The Mark 8 sports car debuted in 1965, but proved unsuccessful; only a small number were built.Twite, p.1326. The Formula Three Mark 9s and 9As also suffered.Twite, p.1326.
For 1967, Formula 2 engine capacity was increased to 1.6-litre. The Merlyn Formula 2 cars were uncompetitive with the downsized Formula 1 cars. The production Mark 10 cost only £950, compared to £1450 for a Brabham. The Formula 3 Mark 10 achieved some good results with Tony Lanfranchi: The British driver achieved four podium finishes and one win in the British championship.{{cite web|title=II Les Leston Championship, Round 14, 1967|url=http://www.formula2.net/F367_GB45.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=II Les Leston Championship, Round 16, 1967|url=http://www.formula2.net/F367_GB49.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=II Les Leston Championship, Round 19, 1967|url=http://www.formula2.net/F367_GB74.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=II Les Leston Championship, Round 26, 1967|url=http://www.formula2.net/F367_GB96.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The factory team had a good run at the Grand Prix Adriatique at the Opatija Circuit in former Yugoslavia. Dave Walker finished first and other factory driver Martin Stephani finished third. The whole top five drove Merlyn cars.{{cite web|title=Grand Prix Adriatique|url=http://www.formula2.net/F367_E60.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
The Mark 11, which debuted that year, was highly popular in the newly-introduced Formula Ford, including one driven by Australia's Tim Schenken, who handily won his first ten events in one.Twite, p.1326. In 1968, Tony Lanfranchi was runner-up position in the BRSCC Formula 3 championship, 11 points behind Schenken. 1968 also saw the introduction of Merlyn's first Formula Ford car, the Mark 11. In its first year, Schenken took the BRSCC Formula Ford 1600 championship title.{{cite web|title=Formula Ford 1600 BRSCC 1968|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/597-1968/cars/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The following season was also highly successful with Luiz Pereira Bueno finishing second in the championship. Emerson Fittipaldi drove a Merlyn for a short time in the Formula Ford championship before graduating into Formula 3. This Mark 11A, chassis 238, had become known as the 'Magic Merlyn'.{{cite web|title=Colchester Racing Developments and the Merlyn 11A Model|url=http://www.britishracecar.com/davefairchild-merlyn-11a.htm|work=British Racecar|accessdate=21 January 2014}} Fittipaldi sold the car to Colin Vandervell for the 1970 season. The Mark 12, designed for Formula 2 and powered by a Cosworth FVA, was chosen by Bob Gerard's F2 team.Twite, p.1326. The Mark 12 scored one point in the European championship with Brian Hart in {{F2|1968}}. The following season brought even less success, with the class dominated by Formula 1 constructors.
The Mark 14 was very successful in 1969 and 1970, ranking near the top in both F3 and FF.Twite, p.1326. This was aided by having one in the hands of future Formula One World Champion Fittipaldi.Twite, p.1326. Colin Vandervell drove the ex-Fittipaldi car to 29 Formula Ford wins, and the championship, in 1970.Twite, p.1326.
=1970s=
For 1970, two totally new cars were introduced: the Mark 15, for Formula B in the U.S., and the inexpensive Mark 16 sports car,Twite, p.1326. for the short-lived Formula F100 championship. The Mark 16 was powered by a 1.3-litre Ford Escort engine. This class had to become the sports car racing equivalent of Formula Ford. However, the class folded after just a few seasons. Meanwhile, in Formula Ford Colin Vandervell drove the 'Magic Merlyn' to 29 wins,Twite, p.1326. and victory in the BRSCC Formula Ford championship.{{cite web|title=Formula Ford 1600 BRSCC 1970 |url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/597-1970/ |work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
The Merlyn Mark 11 chassis was highly popular in Brazil. Many drivers drove the cars in the Brazilian championship among them Vern Schuppan.{{cite web|title=Brazilian Formula Ford 1600 - BUA Trophy 1970|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/152-1970/cars/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} In Canada a Merlyn MK 17 won the CASC Quebec Region Formula Ford 1600 championship.{{cite web|title=Championnat Molson du Quebec|url=http://autocourse.ca/archives/faq/formula-molson/1970-molson.htm|work=Autocourse.ca|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The 'Magic Merlyn' returned to the track in 1971 with Jody Scheckter. Scheckter ended up fourth in the European Formula Ford Championship. The BRSCC championship was won by Bernard Vermilio in a MK 20.{{cite web|title=British Oxygen Formula Ford Championship 1971|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/1419-1971/cars/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} Scheckter would also compete in a Merlyn in Formula 3. The South African driver won one race running a half season in the BRSCC F3.{{cite web|title=Shell Super Oil British F3 Championship 1971|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/398-1971/stats/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} This was the only Merlyn car scoring points in the BRSCC championship.
The British Formula Atlantic was launched in 1971. Merlyn updated the MK 14 Formula 3 car to fit the specifications. Mike Fraser started two races in the championship, with a best result of eighth.{{cite web|title=Yellow Pages Championship Round, Castle Combe, 9 Oct 1971|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.php?RaceID=B71T|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=Yellow Pages Championship Round, Brands Hatch, 31 Oct 1971|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.php?RaceID=B71W|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The car returned in 1972 {{cite web|title=Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series Race, Westwood, 26 May 1974|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.php?RaceID=K74A|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}} with Mick Jones who finished consistently in the top-ten.{{cite web|title=British Formula Atlantic 1972|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/atlantic/uk/1972/|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}} Merlyn Formula B cars also made their way to the United States. Gordon Smiley entered a Merlyn MK 21 in the SCCA Continental Championship for Formula B/C. The American driver won the race at Road Atlanta.{{cite web|title=SCCA Continental Championship for Formula B/C Race, Road Atlanta, 8 Jul 1972|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.php?RaceID=Q72D|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}} He finished fifth in the standings.{{cite web|title=US Formula B 1972|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/fb/1972/|work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
By 1972 Merlyn was no longer competitive in Formula 3. The best result was achieved by Swede Håkan Dahlqvist in the Coupe d'Europe at Magny-Cours where he finished sixth.{{cite web|title=Coupe d'Europe 1972|url=http://www.formula2.net/F372_E80.htm|work=Formula 2 Register|accessdate=21 January 2014}} In Formula Ford Merlyn was highly competitive. Three Merlyn chassis finished in the top ten of the 1972 Formula Ford Festival. Dave Loring finished fourth, Patrick Nève sixth and Hans Binder ninth.{{cite web|title=Formula Ford Festival 1972|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/63-1972/cars/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The following year Robert Arnott finished third at the festival. Merlyn chassis finished one-two in the Formula Ford Euroseries in 1973. Bengt Gilhorn finished first followed by Hans Binder.{{cite web|title=EFDA Formula Ford Euroseries 1973|url=http://www.driverdb.com/standings/6495-1973/|work=DriverDB.com|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
Many Formula Ford cars, Marlyn's primary focus in the 1970s, were exported to the US to race in the club racing scene; a typical car, the Mark 23, cost £2200, complete with engine and transmission (or £1600 as a bare chassis) in 1974.Twite, p.1326. Some were used by racing schools like the Jim Russell Racing Driver School. Bob Arnott won the Townsend Thooreson Championship in 1972 at the wheel of a Mark 20 and Tim Brise piloted a highly modified Merlyn,Twite, p.1326. while AmericanTwite, p.1326. David Loring drove a Mark 21, previously driven by Smiley, in the CASC Formula Atlantic in 1974. His best result came at Westwood where he finished fourth.{{cite web|title=Players (Canadian) Formula Atlantic Series Race, Westwood, 26 May 1974 |url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/results/result.php?RaceID=K74A |work=Old Racing Cars|accessdate=21 January 2014}} The Formula Ford cars were ending up less competitive through the seasons. Competition from Lola, Royale, Van Diemen and many others prevented Merlyn from winning any major championships. Due to a combination of factors like the loss of a major client and the unfavorable dollar-Pound exchange rate, Colchester Racing Developments ended the production of racecars in 1979.{{cite web|title=Company |url=http://www.merlyncars.com/company |work=Colchester Racing Developments Ltd.|accessdate=21 January 2014}}
=Current status=
Clive Hayward continues to run Colchester Racing Developments Ltd manufacturing Merlyn parts and carrying out Merlyn chassis repairs.{{cite web|title=Merlyn |url=http://www.merlyncars.com/merlyn |work=Colchester Racing Developments|accessdate=15 December 2015}}
Racing cars
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Year | Model | Racing series | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Merlyn MK 1 | Formula Junior | Front engined car |
| 1961 | Merlyn MK 2 | Formula Junior | Updated version of the MK 1 |
| 1962 | Merlyn MK 3 | Formula Junior | First rear-engined car |
| 1962 | Merlyn MK 4 | Sports car racing | Also a road version produced |
| 1963 | Merlyn MK 5 | Formula Junior | |
| 1964 | Merlyn MK 6 | Group 7 | |
| rowspan=2| 1964 | rowspan=2| Merlyn MK 7 | Formula 2 | |
| Formula 3 | |||
| 1965 | Merlyn MK 8 | Sports car racing | V8 engined sports car |
| rowspan=2| 1965 | rowspan=2| Merlyn MK 9 | Formula 2 | |
| Formula 3 | |||
| rowspan=2| 1967 | rowspan=2| Merlyn MK 10 | Formula 3 | |
| Formula Libre | |||
| 1968 | Merlyn MK 11 | Formula Ford | |
| 1968 | Merlyn MK 12 | Formula 2 | Powered by Ford-Cosworth FVA engine |
| 1968 | Merlyn MK 14 | Formula 3 | |
| 1969 | Merlyn MK 15 | Formula B | Formula B version of the MK 12 |
| 1970 | Merlyn MK 16 | Formula F100 | |
| 1970 | Merlyn MK 17 | Formula Ford | Intermediary model between the MK 11A and the MK 20 |
| 1970 | Merlyn MK 19 | Grand tourer | Prototype only |
| 1971 | Merlyn MK 20 | Formula Ford | |
| rowspan=2| 1971 | rowspan=2| Merlyn MK 21 | Formula 3 | |
| Formula B | |||
| 1972 | Merlyn MK 22 | Midget | Car made for midget racing in the U.S.A. |
| 1973 | Merlyn MK 24 | Formula Ford | |
| 1974 | Merlyn MK 25 | Formula Ford | |
| 1974 | Merlyn MK 26 | Sports car racing | |
| 1975 | Merlyn MK 27 | Formula 3 | Never made |
| 1975 | Merlyn MK 26 | Formula Ford 2000 | |
| 1975 | Merlyn MK 27 | Formula Ford | |
| 1977 | Merlyn MK 30 | Formula Ford | |
| 1978 | Merlyn MK 31 | Formula Ford |
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.merlyncars.com/ Official website]
- [http://www.trackstarracingservices.com/ Official Merlyn race team and build specialists]
- [http://www.f3history.co.uk/Manufacturers/Merlyn/merlyn.htm Merlyn Formula 3 history]
Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England
Category:British auto racing teams
Category:Sports car manufacturers
Category:Automotive motorsports and performance companies
Category:British racecar constructors
Category:1960 establishments in England