Australian Formula Two
Encyclopedia
Australian Formula 2, sometimes abbreviated to AF2 or ANF2, is a wings and slicks formula racing
category in Australia
. The category is one of Australia's oldest, dating back to 1964. The current format of AF2 was introduced in 1978. Brian Shead
of Cheetah Racing Cars and Garrie Cooper
of Elfin Racing Cars were largely responsible for the development of the format, which was devised to suit the needs of Australian drivers, most of whom had little or no sponsorship and had to bear the costs of racing out of their own pockets.
The class was an amalgamation of the previous Australian Formula 2 and Australian Formula 3 categories, using the same or newly developed cars, but powered by production-based single-cam, 2 valve per cylinder engines, with an engine capacity between 1100 cc and 1600 cc. Popular engines initially included the Toyota 2T, Ford Kent and Holden Gemini. Later on the Volkswagen Golf
became the engine of choice due to its lighter weight and greater power levels. Initially the new format proved to be very successful, attracting the largest grids seen in Australian formula racing for years. The manufacture of cars in Australia for the formula flourished. It wasn't uncommon to see cars designed and built by the same person that drove them.
For a brief period when Formula 5000
was in its final death throes, AF2 was arguably (but not officially) Australia's top class of racing car. It had a national championship as well as various state series. AF2 was bumped down from being the number one Australian racing formula with the introduction of the slightly faster but far more expensive Formula Pacific
category. Throughout the 1980s AF2 remained an extremely popular and competitive category and the Australian Drivers' Championship
was contested with Formula 2 cars in both 1987 and 1988.
In 1999 CAMS introduced 2 litre international Formula Three
engines into AF2. The 1600cc class was meant to become the second tier of the formula and then to be killed off. Despite this 1600cc AF2 refused to die and remained a popular Formula, perhaps because it was a far cheaper formula than Formula Three and Formula Brabham/Holden/4000
.
Since then, the popularity of AF2 has slowly diminished and the series has contracted from being a national series, to one that is contested in New South Wales, although there are plans afoot to also incorporate Victoria.
in 1964 as the third tier of single seater motor racing in Australia, below the Australian National Formula
and the Australian 1½ Litre Formula
and above Australian Formula 3
. It was a two part formula consisting of (a) cars using production based engines of up to 1100cc capacity (the discontinued Formula Junior
class from 1963) and (b) cars using free design four cylinder engines of up to 1000cc capacity (the then current FIA Formula Two
class). A single race Australian Formula 2 Championship was instituted in 1964 however the title was discontinued after two years.
The engine capacity was raised to 1600cc in 1969, AF2 thus replacing the discontinued Australian 1½ Litre Formula as the country’s second tier single seater category. From the same year AF2 cars were eligible to compete alongside the 2½ litre Australian National Formula
cars in the Australian Drivers' Championship
for the first time. The Australian Formula 2 Championship was reintroduced for 1969 and was contested concurrently with the final round of the 1969 Australian Drivers’ Championship. It became a stand alone, single race title again in 1970.
For 1971, engines with more than two valves per cylinder were banned as were those of less than 1100cc capacity. In the same year the Australian Formula 2 Championship was contested over a series of races for the first time with all rounds run concurrently with those of the 1971 Australian Driver’s Championship. The 1974 championship, which enjoyed significant sponsorship from the Van Heusen Shirt Company, was run as a totally stand alone series.
The declining state of the category saw the 1977 championship downgraded to a single race affair and new regulations were announced to take effect in 1978. The engines were to be limited to 1600cc production based units with valve actuation by single overhead camshaft or pushrods. There was no national championship for the new AF2 in this first year but a championship series was reintroduced for 1979.
AF2 regulations were amended for 1987 to eliminate underbody aerodynamic aids, thus bringing the formula in line with the rest of the motor racing world. The decline of Australia’s premier open wheel category, Formula Mondial
, saw the Australian Drivers' Championship
move from that category to AF2 in the same year, with the title awarded to the winner of the Australia Cup
, an AF2 race held in support of the 1987 Australian Grand Prix
at the Adelaide Street Circuit
. The Australian Formula 2 Championship continued and for 1988 the Australian Drivers' Championship was awarded to the winner of the Australian Formula 2 Championship series. The 1988 AF2C title was to be the last awarded by CAMS and the Australian Drivers' Championship was to be determined over a series of races for the new Formula Holden
category for 1989.
In an effort to increase fields, an additional class for cars using 2 litre FIA Formula Three
engines was incorporated into AF2 for 1999 alongside the existing 1600cc class FIA Formula Three was itself officially adopted in Australia as a separate category the following year but the 2 litre cars remained eligible to compete in AF2 through to 2002. AF2 reverted to a single class 1600cc formula again for 2003.
slicks
.
s when cornering and braking.
The bodywork must be of an "open wheel" configuration and there are limitations on both the position and size of the front and rear wings. The car must have a flat floor between the front and rear wheels and the minimum weight of the combined car and driver (racing weight) is either 510 kg or 530 kg depending on the age of the car.
The class uses a "control tyre" manufactured by Dunlop, to ensure both close competition and good tyre life.
CAMS recognition of the Australian Formula 2 Championship as a national title did not extend beyond 1988
, Bowin
, CBS, Cheetah, Crabtree, CRD, Elfin, Fielding, Hardman, HTG, Kaditcha
, Liston, Macon, Mantis, Mildren, PBS, Rennmax
, Richards, SAM, Sirch, Wren.
, Dallara
, Lola, Lotus
, Magnum, March
, McLaren, Ralt
, Reynard
, Tiga
, Van Diemen
, Peter Brock
, Alfredo Costanzo
, Glenn Seton
.
Formula racing
Formula racing is a term that refers to various forms of open wheeled single seater motorsport. Its origin lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulæ are Formula One, Formula Two, and...
category in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The category is one of Australia's oldest, dating back to 1964. The current format of AF2 was introduced in 1978. Brian Shead
Brian Shead
Brian Shead is best known for designing, engineering, constructing and driving Cheetah Racing Cars. From May 1970 to February 1980, Shead competed in 293 events, from which he achieved 112 wins, 228 podium places, 85 fastest laps and 30 lap records...
of Cheetah Racing Cars and Garrie Cooper
Garrie Cooper
Garrie Clifford Cooper was the founder of the highly successful Elfin Sports Cars and a competitive racing driver in his own right, winning the 1968 Australian 1½ Litre Championship and the 1975 Australian Sports Car Championship...
of Elfin Racing Cars were largely responsible for the development of the format, which was devised to suit the needs of Australian drivers, most of whom had little or no sponsorship and had to bear the costs of racing out of their own pockets.
The class was an amalgamation of the previous Australian Formula 2 and Australian Formula 3 categories, using the same or newly developed cars, but powered by production-based single-cam, 2 valve per cylinder engines, with an engine capacity between 1100 cc and 1600 cc. Popular engines initially included the Toyota 2T, Ford Kent and Holden Gemini. Later on the Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
became the engine of choice due to its lighter weight and greater power levels. Initially the new format proved to be very successful, attracting the largest grids seen in Australian formula racing for years. The manufacture of cars in Australia for the formula flourished. It wasn't uncommon to see cars designed and built by the same person that drove them.
For a brief period when Formula 5000
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
was in its final death throes, AF2 was arguably (but not officially) Australia's top class of racing car. It had a national championship as well as various state series. AF2 was bumped down from being the number one Australian racing formula with the introduction of the slightly faster but far more expensive Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made...
category. Throughout the 1980s AF2 remained an extremely popular and competitive category and the Australian Drivers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
The Australian Drivers' Championship is a motor racing championship which has been contested annually since 1957 by drivers of cars complying with Australia's premier open-wheeler racing category as determined by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Since 2005 this category has been Formula...
was contested with Formula 2 cars in both 1987 and 1988.
In 1999 CAMS introduced 2 litre international Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
engines into AF2. The 1600cc class was meant to become the second tier of the formula and then to be killed off. Despite this 1600cc AF2 refused to die and remained a popular Formula, perhaps because it was a far cheaper formula than Formula Three and Formula Brabham/Holden/4000
Formula Holden
Formula Holden was an Australian open wheel racing category.-History:Known during its development as Formula Australia, it was initially for chassis constructed from aluminium only, running a 3.8 litre Buick V6 engine as it was then utilised in the new versions of the Holden Commodore...
.
Since then, the popularity of AF2 has slowly diminished and the series has contracted from being a national series, to one that is contested in New South Wales, although there are plans afoot to also incorporate Victoria.
Timeline
- 1964–1968 : 1100 cc maximum capacity (production-based) & 1000 cc (free design)
- 1969–1970 : 1600 cc maximum capacity
- 1971–1977 : 1600 cc maximum capacity, two valves per cylinder
- 1978–1988 : 1600 cc maximum capacity, production-based, single camshaft
- 1989-2002 : 1600 cc maximum capacity, production-based, single camshaft & 2000 cc (FIA Formula Three engines)
- 2003–date : 1600 cc maximum capacity, production-based, single camshaft
History
The Australian Formula 2 category was established by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS)Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport , has been the governing body of Australian motorsport since 1953. It is affiliated with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ....
in 1964 as the third tier of single seater motor racing in Australia, below the Australian National Formula
Australian National Formula
The Australian National Formula was an Australian motor racing category which was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in 1964 and remained current until the end of 1969...
and the Australian 1½ Litre Formula
Australian 1½ Litre Formula
The Australian 1½ Litre Formula was a motor racing category which was current in Australia from 1964 to 1968. The formula specified racing cars with four cylinder unsupercharged engines using commercially available fuel and limited to 1500cc capacity...
and above Australian Formula 3
Australian Formula 3
The Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship is a motor racing championship for FIA Formula Three racing cars and is now the official Australian Drivers' Championship. Growing out of Australian Formula 2 racing into a series for the first time in 1999, it has grown into the premier Australian...
. It was a two part formula consisting of (a) cars using production based engines of up to 1100cc capacity (the discontinued Formula Junior
Formula Junior
Formula Junior is an open wheel formula racing class first adopted in October 1958 by the CSI . The class was intended to provide an entry level class where you could use inexpensive mechanical components from ordinary automobiles...
class from 1963) and (b) cars using free design four cylinder engines of up to 1000cc capacity (the then current FIA Formula Two
Formula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
class). A single race Australian Formula 2 Championship was instituted in 1964 however the title was discontinued after two years.
The engine capacity was raised to 1600cc in 1969, AF2 thus replacing the discontinued Australian 1½ Litre Formula as the country’s second tier single seater category. From the same year AF2 cars were eligible to compete alongside the 2½ litre Australian National Formula
Australian National Formula
The Australian National Formula was an Australian motor racing category which was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in 1964 and remained current until the end of 1969...
cars in the Australian Drivers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
The Australian Drivers' Championship is a motor racing championship which has been contested annually since 1957 by drivers of cars complying with Australia's premier open-wheeler racing category as determined by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Since 2005 this category has been Formula...
for the first time. The Australian Formula 2 Championship was reintroduced for 1969 and was contested concurrently with the final round of the 1969 Australian Drivers’ Championship. It became a stand alone, single race title again in 1970.
For 1971, engines with more than two valves per cylinder were banned as were those of less than 1100cc capacity. In the same year the Australian Formula 2 Championship was contested over a series of races for the first time with all rounds run concurrently with those of the 1971 Australian Driver’s Championship. The 1974 championship, which enjoyed significant sponsorship from the Van Heusen Shirt Company, was run as a totally stand alone series.
The declining state of the category saw the 1977 championship downgraded to a single race affair and new regulations were announced to take effect in 1978. The engines were to be limited to 1600cc production based units with valve actuation by single overhead camshaft or pushrods. There was no national championship for the new AF2 in this first year but a championship series was reintroduced for 1979.
AF2 regulations were amended for 1987 to eliminate underbody aerodynamic aids, thus bringing the formula in line with the rest of the motor racing world. The decline of Australia’s premier open wheel category, Formula Mondial
Formula Mondial
Formula Mondial was an international motor racing category which was introduced to replace both Formula Atlantic and the similar Formula Pacific in 1983....
, saw the Australian Drivers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
The Australian Drivers' Championship is a motor racing championship which has been contested annually since 1957 by drivers of cars complying with Australia's premier open-wheeler racing category as determined by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Since 2005 this category has been Formula...
move from that category to AF2 in the same year, with the title awarded to the winner of the Australia Cup
1987 Australian Drivers' Championship
The 1987 Australian Drivers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing title contested over a single race for Australian Formula 2 racing cars. The race, billed as the "Australia Cup for the 1987 CAMS Gold Star", was staged at the Adelaide Street Circuit in South Australia on Friday,...
, an AF2 race held in support of the 1987 Australian Grand Prix
1987 Australian Grand Prix
The 1987 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Adelaide on November 15, 1987.- Race :The third Australian Grand Prix to be held at Adelaide and the final round of the 1987 Formula One season proved to be another eventful race. Gerhard Berger started from his third pole position...
at the Adelaide Street Circuit
Adelaide Street Circuit
The Adelaide Street Circuit is a temporary street circuit in the East Parklands adjacent to the central business district of the city of Adelaide in South Australia....
. The Australian Formula 2 Championship continued and for 1988 the Australian Drivers' Championship was awarded to the winner of the Australian Formula 2 Championship series. The 1988 AF2C title was to be the last awarded by CAMS and the Australian Drivers' Championship was to be determined over a series of races for the new Formula Holden
Formula Holden
Formula Holden was an Australian open wheel racing category.-History:Known during its development as Formula Australia, it was initially for chassis constructed from aluminium only, running a 3.8 litre Buick V6 engine as it was then utilised in the new versions of the Holden Commodore...
category for 1989.
In an effort to increase fields, an additional class for cars using 2 litre FIA Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
engines was incorporated into AF2 for 1999 alongside the existing 1600cc class FIA Formula Three was itself officially adopted in Australia as a separate category the following year but the 2 litre cars remained eligible to compete in AF2 through to 2002. AF2 reverted to a single class 1600cc formula again for 2003.
Engine
In the current form of AF2, the engine must be based on one from a mass produced vehicle. Popular engines include the pushrod hemi headed Toyota 2T, the crossflow Ford Kent, and Holden Gemini, but the most common is the Volkswagen Golf. The Volkswagen Golf is popular due to its lighter weight and greater power levels. AF2 engines must use carburetors for fuel induction, with most running Weber carburetors. AF2 engines are now limited to 8500 rpm although in the past prior to the introduction of rev limiters, engine revs over 10,000 rpm were not uncommon. AF2 engines typically produce in the order of 180 to 200 hp.Chassis
The majority of AF2 cars produced in the late 1970s and 1980s are made from an aluminium monoquue, just as Formula One cars of the era were. Such cars often weigh in under 400 kilograms (881.8 lb) and the allowable racing weight including the driver is 510 kilograms (1,124.4 lb). Newer cars such as those made by Reynard and Dallara during the 1990s are made of carbon fibre and are actually heavier than the aluminium cars, although they are also more aerodynamic. The newer cars have a 530 kg racing weight, which helps to equalise their performance with the older cars. AF2 cars feature prominent front and rear wings. The wheels are 13 inches (33 cm) in diameter, with the front wheels typically 9 inches (22.9 cm) wide and rears typically 11 inches (27.9 cm) wide. They are configured as an open-wheeler, and are shod with control Dunlop radialRadial tire
A radial tire is a particular design of automotive tire . In this design, the cord plies are arranged at 90 degrees to the direction of travel, or radially ....
slicks
Slick tire
A slick tyre is a type of tyre that has no tread pattern, used mostly in auto racing. The first production "slick tyre" was developed by a company called M&H Tires in the early 1950s for use in drag racing...
.
Transmission
Like most formula cars, the transmission is at the rear of the car, situated behind both the engine and driver. The most common transmission in aluminium monoque cars is the 5 speed Hewland Mk9 transaxle, but the Hewland Mk8 and stronger FT200 transaxles are also used. Another popular transaxle used in monoque cars, mainly Cheetah Racing cars was manufactured by Holinger Engineering. Like the Hewland Mk8 and Mk9 it is also based on the Volkswagen transaxle. Newer carbon Fibre Dallaras and Reynards typically use transaxle housings manufactured by the car manufacturer, although they sport Hewland internals.Performance
Power levels approaching 200 hp combined with a racing weight of only 510 to 530 kg, provide a power-to-weight ratio similar to a V8 Supercar. This allows AF2 cars to accelerate very quickly out of corners and to develop some reasonable top speeds. The approximate 0 to 160 km/h time for an AF2 is 5 seconds. Because the cars are so low, and light and because they have grippy slick tyres and front and rear wings to force them to the ground, the cars are capable of generating very high G forceG force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall.It may also refer to:* G-Force , a 2009 film by Disney** G-Force , a 2009 video game based on the film...
s when cornering and braking.
Current regulations — Australian Formula 2 Club Inc.
The engine must be based on that from a mass produced vehicle, it must have a capacity between 1100 cc and 1600 cc, have a single camshaft operating no more than 2 valves per cylinder and use carburetors for fuel induction. A rev limiter must be fitted to limit maximum engine RPM to 8500.The bodywork must be of an "open wheel" configuration and there are limitations on both the position and size of the front and rear wings. The car must have a flat floor between the front and rear wheels and the minimum weight of the combined car and driver (racing weight) is either 510 kg or 530 kg depending on the age of the car.
The class uses a "control tyre" manufactured by Dunlop, to ensure both close competition and good tyre life.
List of Australian Formula 2 champions
| Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 1964 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1964 Australian Formula 2 Championship was open to drivers of racing cars complying with CAMS Australian Formula 2 regulations.The title was contested over a single race staged at the Lowood circuit in Queensland on the 14 June 1964. Race distance was 30 laps x 2.825 miles = 85 miles... |
Greg Cusack | Elfin Ford |
| 1965 1965 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1965 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 cars. The championship was contested over a single 34 lap, 76.5 mile race at the Warwick Farm circuit in New South Wales, Australia on 19 September 1965. It was the second... |
Greg Cusack | Repco Brabham Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries... |
| 1966–1968 | No championship | |
| 1969 | Max Stewart Max Stewart Malcolm Clarke Stewart was an Australian racecar driver.... |
Mildren Waggott Waggott Engineering Waggott Engineering was an Australian automotive engineering company which gained fame for the engines which it produced for motor sport applications from the 1950s through to the 1970s.... |
| 1970 1970 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1970 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of racing cars complying with Australian Formula 2 regulations. The title, which was the fourth Australian Formula 2 Championship, was decided over a single 40 lap, 60 mile race, staged at the Lakeside... |
Max Stewart | Mildren Waggott Waggott Engineering Waggott Engineering was an Australian automotive engineering company which gained fame for the engines which it produced for motor sport applications from the 1950s through to the 1970s.... |
| 1971 1971 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1971 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars. It was the fifth Australian Formula 2 Championship.-Calendar:... |
Henk Woelders | Elfin 600C Waggott Waggott Engineering Waggott Engineering was an Australian automotive engineering company which gained fame for the engines which it produced for motor sport applications from the 1950s through to the 1970s.... |
| 1972 | Larry Perkins Larry Perkins Larry Clifton Perkins is a former racing driver and V8 Supercar team owner from Australia.-Career:... |
Elfin 600B Ford |
| 1973 1973 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1973 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title open to Australian Formula 2 racing cars. It was the seventh Australian Formula 2 Championship to be awarded by CAMS.... |
Leo Geoghegan Leo Geoghegan Leo Geoghegan is a retired Australian racing driver.Geoghegan is the elder of two sons of New South Wales car dealer Tom Geoghegan, who went on to become two of the dominant names in Australian motor racing in the 1960s... |
Birrana 272 & 273 Ford |
| 1974 1974 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1974 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars. It was the eighth Australian Formula 2 Championship to be awarded by CAMS.-Calendar:... |
Leo Geoghegan | Birrana 274 Ford |
| 1975 | Geoff Brabham Geoff Brabham Geoff Brabham is an Australian racing driver. He is the son of three-time Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham. Brabham spent the majority of his racing career in the United States. He raced successfully in CART early in his career. In ten appearances in the Indianapolis 500, with a best result... |
Birrana 274 Ford |
| 1976 1976 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1976 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars.The title was contested over a four round series:* Round 1, Calder, Victoria, 23 May... |
Graeme Crawford | Birrana 273 Ford |
| 1977 1977 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1977 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars. The championship was contested over a single race which was staged at the Sandown International Motor Racing Circuit in Victoria on 17 April... |
Peter Larner | Elfin 700 Ford |
| 1978 | No championship | |
| 1979 | Brian Shead Brian Shead Brian Shead is best known for designing, engineering, constructing and driving Cheetah Racing Cars. From May 1970 to February 1980, Shead competed in 293 events, from which he achieved 112 wins, 228 podium places, 85 fastest laps and 30 lap records... |
Cheetah Mk6 Toyota |
| 1980 1980 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1980 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of cars complying with Australian Formula 2 regulations... |
Richard Davison | Hardman JH1 Ford |
| 1981 1981 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1981 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars. It was the 14th Australian Formula 2 Championship to be awarded by CAMS.-Calendar:... |
John Smith | Ralt Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... RT1 Ford |
| 1982 1982 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1982 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing title for drivers of Racing Cars complying with Australian Formula 2 regulations... |
Lucio Cesario | Ralt RT3 Volkswagen |
| 1983 1983 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1983 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing title for drivers of racing cars complying with Australian Formula 2 regulations.-Calendar:The title was contested over a four round series.... |
Ian Richards | Richards 201 Volkswagen |
| 1984 1984 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1984 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars.-Schedule:The championship was contested over a six round series:* Round 1, Sandown Raceway, Victoria, 19 February... |
Peter Glover | Cheetah Mk7 Volkswagen |
| 1985 | Peter Glover | Cheetah Mk8 Volkswagen |
| 1986 | Jonathon Crooke | Cheetah Mk8 Volkswagen |
| 1987 1987 Australian Formula 2 Championship The 1987 Australian Formula 2 Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Australian Formula 2 racing cars. It was the 20th Australian Formula 2 Championship.... |
Arthur Abrahams Arthur Abrahams Arthur Abrahams was an Australian race car driver. He won the 1987 Australian Formula 2 Championship driving a Cheetah Mk8. He also competed in Formula Holden for three years, debuting in 1994 and leaving the category in 1996... |
Cheetah Mk8 Volkswagen Volkswagen Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is... |
| 1988 | Rohan Onslow | Cheetah Mk8 Volkswagen Ralt RT30/85 Volkswagen |
CAMS recognition of the Australian Formula 2 Championship as a national title did not extend beyond 1988
| Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Kevin Weeks | Ralt RT32-Volkswagen |
| 1990–1995 | No information available | |
| 1996 | Bronte Rundle | Reynard Reynard Motorsport Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy... -Volkswagen |
| 1997 | Wayne Ford | Ralt-Volkswagen |
| 1998 | David Bruce | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 1999 | Rod Anderson | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 2000 | Tom Brickley | Kaditcha-Volkswagen |
| 2001 | Ian Black | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 2002 | Ted Dunford (New South Wales Championship) | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 2002 | Troy Chaplin (Queensland Championship) | Ralt RT34 Volkswagen |
| 2003 | Ted Dunford | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 2004 | Kevin Lewis | Cheetah-Volkswagen |
| 2005 | Greg Hunter | Reynard-Volkswagen |
| 2006 | Kevin Lewis | Cheetah-Volkswagen |
| 2007 | Edward Gavin | Cheetah-Volkswagen |
| 2008 | Greg Muddle | Ralt RT30-Volkswagen |
| 2009 | Greg Muddle | Ralt RT30-Volkswagen |
Australian Formula 2 lap records
| Track | Distance | Driver | Car | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calder Park Raceway Calder Park Raceway Calder Park Raceway is a motor racing circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The complex includes a drag strip, a road circuit with several possible configurations, and the "Thunderdome", a high-speed banked oval equipped to race either clockwise or counter-clockwise .-History:Calder Park... , National Circuit |
2.280 km | D. Bruce | Reynard Reynard Motorsport Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy... 893-Volkswagen |
19 May 1996 | 57.9272s |
| Calder Park Raceway, Club Circuit | Lucio Cesario | Ralt Ralt RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name... RT3-Volkswagen |
42.0200s | ||
| Mallala Motorsport Park Mallala Motorsport Park Mallala Motor Sport Park is a bitumen motor racing circuit near the town of Mallala in South Australia, 55 km north of the state capital, Adelaide.- Mallala Race Circuit :... |
2.20 km | Barry Ward | Reynard 893-Volkswagen | 1m07.3s | |
| Morgan Park Raceway Morgan Park Raceway Morgan Park Raceway is a motorsports complex located at Old Stanthorpe Road near Warwick, in Queensland, Australia and is operated by the Warwick District Sporting Car Club Inc. The venue features a race circuit with five different layouts.... |
2.1 km | ||||
| Oran Park Raceway Oran Park Raceway Oran Park Raceway was a motor racing circuit at Narellan in southwestern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia which was operational from 1962 to 2010.... , South Circuit |
1.96 km | Arthur Abrahams | Reynard 933 | 18 July 1993 | 0:39.9000 |
| Sandown Raceway Sandown Raceway Sandown International Raceway is a motor racing circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, approximately south east of the city centre. It is considered a power circuit with its front straight being 899m long and back straight 910m long.-History:... |
3.1 km | Barry Ward | Reynard-Volkswagen | 19 May 1991 | 1m:14.47 |
| Winton Motor Raceway Winton Motor Raceway Winton Motor Raceway is a Motor Racing track in Winton, near Benalla, Victoria, Australia.-History:The Benalla Auto Club began planning for a permanent racing track around 1958. In 1960 it was decided to build the track at Winton Recreation Reserve and was completed in twelve months... , National Circuit |
3.0 km | Paul Stephenson | Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... -Volkswagen |
June 1999 | 1m23.8310s |
| Symmons Plains Raceway Symmons Plains Raceway Symmons Plains Raceway is a motor racing circuit in Australia, located about 30 kilometres south of Launceston, Tasmania. Since the closure of the Longford circuit in the 1960s it has been Tasmania's premier motor racing facility... |
2.4 km | Jon Crooke | Cheetah Mk8 - Judd Golf VW | 9 March 1996 | 54.73s |
| Baskerville Raceway Baskerville Raceway Baskerville Raceway is a 2.01 km permanent motor and motorbike racing circuit. It is located at 473 Baskerville Rd, Old Beach- a northern suburb of... |
2.01 km | Jon Crooke | Cheetah Mk8 - Judd Golf VW | 16 March 1986 | 50.24s |
| Surfers Paradise International Raceway Surfers Paradise International Raceway Surfers Paradise International Raceway was a motor racing complex at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The circuit was designed and built by Keith Williams, a motor racing enthusiast. It was located opposite the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens at Carrara... |
3.2 km | Jon Crooke | Cheetah Mk8 - Judd Golf VW | 18 May 1986 | 1m07.3s |
| Oran Park | 2.62 km | Jon Crooke | Cheetah Mk8 - Judd Golf VW | 8 June 1986 | 1m05.8s |
| Lakeside International Raceway Lakeside International Raceway Lakeside Park, formerly known as Lakeside International Raceway is a motor racing circuit located at Pine Rivers north of Brisbane and lies adjacent to Lake Kurwongbah.... |
2.4 km | Jon Crooke / Arthur Abrahams Arthur Abrahams Arthur Abrahams was an Australian race car driver. He won the 1987 Australian Formula 2 Championship driving a Cheetah Mk8. He also competed in Formula Holden for three years, debuting in 1994 and leaving the category in 1996... |
Cheetah Mk8 - Judd Golf VW | 15 June 1986 | 50.6s |
| Sandown Raceway | 3.9 km | Arthur Abrahams | Cheetah Mk8 - Golf VW | 14 September 1986 | 1m40.2s |
| Amaroo Park Amaroo Park Amaroo Park was a motor racing circuit located in Annangrove, New South Wales, in the present-day western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. It opened in 1967, hosting its first motorcycle meeting on 26 February with a 30 lap production race won by Larry Simons on a BSA Spitfire in heavy rain. The... |
1.946 km | Arthur Abrahams | Cheetah Mk8 - Golf VW | 21 June 1987 | 46.52s |
| Winton Motor Raceway, Short Circuit | 2.03 km | Arthur Abrahams | Ransberg Cheetah Mk8 - Golf VW | December 1988 | 56.9600s |
| Eastern Creek Raceway Eastern Creek Raceway Eastern Creek International Raceway is a motorsports circuit located on Brabham Drive, Eastern Creek , New South Wales, Australia, adjacent to the Western Sydney International Dragway. It was built and is owned by the New South Wales Government and is operated by the... |
3.93 km | Arthur Abrahams | Ransberg Cheetah - Golf VW | 25 August 1991 | 1m29.3500s |
| Wakefield Park Wakefield Park Wakefield Park is a motor racing circuit located near Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. It is named after Charles Cheers Wakefield, the founder of Castrol Oil... |
2.2 km | Craig Smith | Cheetah Mk8 - Golf VW | 16 September 2001 | 59.0361s |
| Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing racing circuit on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The circuit was opened in 1956.-Road circuit:... |
km | Chas Jacobsen | 28 July 1999 | 1m33.4389s |
Australian manufacturers
Arbyen, Argus, ASP, Avanti, B.A.E., BirranaBirrana
Birrana is a make of racing car which was produced in Australia between 1971 and 1978.-Birrana Formula Ford:The first Birrana was a Formula Ford built by Tony Alcock in 1971 for John Goss. Alcock was a designer builder who had previously worked for Elfin Sports Cars in Adelaide and for Brabham,...
, Bowin
Bowin Cars
Bowin Cars was an Australian designer and manufacturer of motor racing cars from 1968 to 1976.-History:The car company was founded by John Vincent Joyce , a successful designer and builder of racing cars and in later years gas appliances incorporating Low NOx Technology...
, CBS, Cheetah, Crabtree, CRD, Elfin, Fielding, Hardman, HTG, Kaditcha
Kaditcha
Kaditcha was an automobile manufacturer in Australia. The company, formed by Queensland engineer Barry Lock, made open wheel and sports car racing cars, including cars for Formula 5000 and Australian Formula 2...
, Liston, Macon, Mantis, Mildren, PBS, Rennmax
Rennmax
The Rennmax name was applied to a series of open wheel racing cars and sports racing cars constructed by Rennmax Engineering in Sydney, Australia between 1962 and 1978...
, Richards, SAM, Sirch, Wren.
International manufacturers
Brabham, ChevronChevron Cars Ltd
Chevron Cars Ltd. is a manufacturer of racing cars, founded by Derek Bennett in 1965. Following Bennett's death in 1978, the firm has remained active in various guises. The original company's designs and name continue to be utilized by Roger Andreason to build replacement parts and continuation...
, Dallara
Dallara
Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
, Lola, Lotus
Team Lotus
Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport series including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar and sports car racing...
, Magnum, March
March Engineering
March Engineering was a Formula One constructor and manufacturer of customer racing cars from the United Kingdom. Although only moderately successful in Grand Prix competition, March racing cars enjoyed much better achievement in other categories of competition including Formula Two, Formula Three,...
, McLaren, Ralt
Ralt
RALT was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under the RALT name...
, Reynard
Reynard Motorsport
Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy...
, Tiga
Tiga Race Cars
Tiga Race Cars Ltd. was a British auto racing constructor and team. The company was founded in 1974 by two former Formula 1 drivers, Australian Tim Schenken and New Zealander Howden Ganley. The company's name was formed by the first two letters of Tim and Ganley...
, Van Diemen
Van Diemen
Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of...
Famous alumni (non champions)
John BoweJohn Bowe (racing driver)
John Bowe is an Australian racing driver, presently racing a 1969 Ford Mustang in the historic series, Touring Car Masters....
, Peter Brock
Peter Brock
Peter Geoffrey Brock, AM otherwise known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain" or simply as "Brocky" was one of Australia's best-known and most successful motor racing drivers. Brock was most often associated with Holden for almost 40 years, although he raced vehicles of other...
, Alfredo Costanzo
Alfredo Costanzo
Alfredo Costanzo is a retired Australian racing driver.The Italian-Australian was Australia's foremost domestic open wheeler driver in the late 70s and early 80s, proving equally adapt at winning races in the powerful Formula 5000 class as much as the nimble Formula Pacific cars that replaced them...
, Glenn Seton
Glenn Seton
Glenn Seton is an Australian racing driver.Seton, father of Courtney and Aaron Seton and husband to Jayne Seton, retired from full time racing after the 2005 V8 Supercar season, and is only one of five drivers to have competed in over 200 rounds in the series. The other drivers are Dick Johnson ,...
.