Penske PC3

Penske PC3

Ex John Watson PC3 at Lime Rock in 2009
Category Formula One
Constructor Penske
Designer(s) Geoff Ferris
Predecessor PC1
Successor PC4
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis Aluminium monocoque
Axle track Front: 1,499 mm (59.0 in)
Rear: 1,562 mm (61.5 in)
Wheelbase 2,692 mm (106.0 in)
Engine Ford Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated Mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland FG 400 5-speed manual
Weight 582 kg (1,283 lb)
Fuel Sunoco
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Citibank Team Penske
F&S Properties
Notable drivers United Kingdom John Watson
Netherlands Boy Hayje
Debut 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
7000
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Penske PC3 was a Formula One car used by Citibank Team Penske during the 1976 Formula One season, It was designed by Geoff Ferris.[2]

Development

In 1976 Penske signed a sponsorship deal with Citibank and built a new car, The Penske PC3. Englishman John Watson was signed to drive the PC3. The PC3 retained some of the design features from its predecessors, the Penske PC1, and the March 751, the PC3 was a clever development of the March 751 and bore a close resemblance. In total, there were two cars were constructed with one being driven by Watson.

Racing History

Citibank Team Penske

1975

Penske fielded the brand new PC3 for Watson in the final race of the 1975 season. The United States Grand Prix, Although bearing the Penske name The Englishman used the car in practice, but due to a technical failure was forced to switch to the old PC1, which was in the paddock as a demonstrator, for the race. He finished in ninth, but his performance earned him a full time Penske F1 drive for 1976.[3]

1976

The first race of the 1976 season was the Brazilian Grand Prix, Watson retired when a fuel system failure turned into a fire.[4] The Englishman finished fifth at South Africa,[5] Watson was eleven laps down and not classified at the United States Grand Prix West.[6] The Englishman retired at Spain with engine failure,[7] Watson finished seventh at the Belgian Grand Prix[8] and tenth at Monaco.[9] The PC3 was not as good as had been hoped and in the midseason Penske produced a new Penske PC4 from the Swedish Grand Prix onwards.

The Penske team scored twenty World Championship points in 1976, two with the PC3 and eighteen with the PC4. Earning them fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

F&S Properties

Boy Hayje driving a PC3 entered by F&S Properties for the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix.

F&S Properties bought a PC3 from Penske and entered Dutchman Boy Hayje for his home race, the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix but he retired with a broken halfshaft.[10]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrants Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1975 Penske Cars Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA ESP MON BEL SWE NED FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA 21 12th1
John Watson PO
1976 Citibank Team Penske Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USE JPN 202 5th2
John Watson Ret 5 NC Ret 7 10
F&S Properties Boy Hayje Ret

^1 All points scored in 1975 with the Penske PC1.
^2 18 points scored in 1976 with the Penske PC4.

Non-Championship results

(key)

Year Entrants Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2
1976 Citibank Team Penske Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ROC INT
John Watson Ret
1977 Hexagon Racing Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ROC
Bob Evans 11

References

  1. Stats F1. "Penske PC3". Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. "Penske Ford". Jonathan Davies. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. "Grand Prix results, United States GP 1975". grandprix.com. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. "Grand Prix results, Brazilian GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  5. "Grand Prix results, South Africa GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  6. "Grand Prix results, United States GP West 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  7. "Grand Prix results, Spanish GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  8. "Grand Prix results, Belgian GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  9. "Grand Prix results, Monaco GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  10. "Grand Prix results, Dutch GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
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