Tim Schenken, Merlyn Mk11 Formula Ford and his rivals at Brands Hatch, 20 September 1968…
Chris Steele, Tim’s tuner/entrant dispenses advice to the Formula Ford ‘flock’ comprising Ray Allen, Brian Smith, Dave Morgan and Tony Trimmer. No doubt it’s a press shot to promote an upcoming race meeting; two of these fellows made it through to Formula 1- Schenken and Trimmer, the well of talent in Formula Ford has been deep in every season including its first couple.
Schenken cut his racing teeth in Australia, initially with an Austin A30 and later a Lotus 18 Ford FJ. By the time he contested some F3 races in an old Lotus in the UK in 1967 he had plenty of experience- the step ‘back’ into the new Formula Ford class paid off in spades with wins in both the 1968 British Formula Ford and Lombank F3 Championship- as a consequence he carried away the main 1968 Grovewood Award.
Tetsu Ikuzawa Brabham BT21B from Tim Schenken Chevron B9 Ford, Martini International Meeting Silverstone 1968 (M Hayward)
In 1970 he broke into Grand Prix Racing with Frank William’s De Tomaso 505 Ford, that ride arose as a result of Piers Courage’ death during the 1970 Dutch Grand Prix.
His promise was confirmed with drives in the year old Brabham BT33 Ford for Ron Tauranac in 1971, his first career mistake was jumping out of Brabham as BC Ecclestone acquired it at the end of ’71. Surtees was far from the worst place to be at the time but staying put would have been better.
Tim was as quick as Mike Hailwood at Surtees but the slip down the F1 totem pole was quick once he left and the climb back up is even harder.
I don’t think we ever saw his best in Grand Prix racing but point scoring races and an F1 podium, not to forget his F2, European GT Championship and works Ferrari 312PB sportscar wins form part of a CV any of us would be rather happy to have.
Schenken, Brabham BT33 Ford, Canadian GP 1971 DNF (unattributed)
Tim’s best results in F1 were sixth and third placings for Brabham in 1971 at Hockenheim and the Osterreichring and fifth, seventh and eighth for Surtees in 1972 at Argentina, Mosport and Spain. In non-championship F1 he was third in the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone and third in the 1972 International Gold Cup at Oulton Park.
Schenken aboard his Merlyn Mk11 FF in 1968
Credits…
Getty Images, Mike Hayward Collection, Victor Blackman, LAT Images
Other Tim Schenken Article…
https://primotipo.com/2016/04/03/frank-williams-and-tim-schenken-austrian-grand-prix-1970/
Schenken testing the Merlyn at Brands during 1968 (LAT)
Tailpiece: Ron Tauranac, Tim and Hill G with Hill’s Brabham BT34 Ford, Silverstone, British GP weekend July 1971- note the rig to attach a camera, the GoPro is still a while away…
Finito…
primotipo... 
Mark, you may have covered the subject previously, but Tim was Australian Hill Climb Champion in 1965 – White 55 at Lakelands. He was amazing in that car and in the Lotus 18.
Thanks Bob, I was aware of it but couldn’t find a decent shot of the White 500 ‘roller skate’ to use in the article- wotcha got in your collection?!
M
1965 is too recent for my collection!
Ha-ha! I seem to recall some 1966 material recently. I must check out Leon Sims Rob Roy site and see if their is a decent pic of the White 500 there.
Mark
Whoops, White 500
[…] Tim’s race was over early, he had fuel metering unit failure after only three laps. He did a full F2 Championship season, winning at Crystal Palace and placing second at Mantorp Park and Albi. He was fourth in the championship won by his mate, Ronnie Peterson’s March 712M Ford, Ronnie won at Brands that day too. More on Tim here; Tim Schenken… | primotipo… […]
[…] Australian Racing Ra… on Tim Schenken… […]