Jody Scheckter

 

 

 

Jody Scheckter David (January 29, 1950, East London, South Africa) is a retired Formula 1 driver, active in the seventies. Jody link with racing began as a child, because in the 50's Formula 1 racing competed near East London, his birthplace. Scheckter began competing in Formula 1 soon after moving to the UK in 1970 and winning in the lower grades. He made his debut at Watkins Glen in 1972 with McLaren, reaching third place but finished in ninth after a skid. During the following continued to grow in racing, gaining fame by winning the Formula 3000 championship and running 5 times in F1. In France, was on the verge of winning his third race in F1, but on lap 41 closed the door to Emerson Fittipaldi colliding with him, consisting in the end the Brazilian title. In the next race at Silverstone, Scheckter was involved aggressive in a big accident that took twelve competitive vehicles in an incident which can outline the beginnings of his career.

 

[Edit] HistoriaAl early in his career, most observers thought that Jody Scheckter would not last long in racing. They were right, but not in the way they thought, the South African retire at age 30?

 

Born in East London in 1950, was the son of a mechanic and, of course, was fascinated by fast cars. Around 18-19 years, started driving a R8 Gordini in local leagues. For his first race was disqualified for dangerous driving. After his failure to comply with Regulation, nothing seems able to stop him and in 1970 was crowned national champion circuits. This title gives a scholarship to compete in major competitions in Europe.

 

1971, Scheckter arrived in England, alone, with a career in history. His rise is meteoric. Played one year from Formula Ford to Formula 3 with great success.

 

[Edit] Formula 2, Formula 5000 to jump to Formula 1 [edit] Team McLarenEn 1972, Teddy Mayer, McLaren boss had assigned him the wheel of a Formula 2. The car is bad, but who cares about Jody, who still carried to victory?. The feat does not go unnoticed and Colin Chapman asked for a race in F1 for Lotus in 1973. Scheckter doubt, but ultimately Meyer to keep his young prodigy, adjust their proposals to those of Chapman and win the game. Jody made his debut in F1 in the last GP of the 1972 season, the U.S. GP at Watkins Glen. [1]

Observers were surprised early in the similarity between the taciturn Scheckter and his companion, the old Denny Hulme. Jody nickname is: Hulme was the "Bear", Jody will be "The Pooh". However, the 22 year old made a strong impression in his first participation, ranked eighth, seeking to reach a better place in the race while the third was relegated to ninth place at the end of the lap. [2]

 

In 1973, he enlisted in the U. S. Formula 5000 championship car driving, while McLaren-Cosworth paricipar would secure five races in F1. He handily won the F5000 season with four victories in nine races. In F1, he played his home GP at Kyalami, while national agencies to follow him out again. Third on the grid, led two laps and then fight with Stewart, Hulme and Revson retire before the engine failure.

In France, the Le Castellet circuit, Jody finished second and took the lead from the start. He bears most of the race before Fittipaldi. But the Brazilian is close with his Lotus and lap 42, the curve of the bridge is double cerrarsele Scheckter at the door. The two pilots were in contact and ends in abandonment, both with the fury of Fittipaldi, will not hesitate to go and tell their truths to the McLaren driver. Then comes the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Scheckter was involved aggressive in a big accident that took twelve competitive vehicles in an incident which can outline the beginnings of his career. Not return until the Canadian Grand Prix in September. [2]

 

At Mosport, Jody qualified third party and, in the rain, was fighting for the podium when François Cevert sent off the track. Tyrrell driver is furious: "This is a danger to the public. Should be barred from running. Paradoxically, Ken Tyrrell, still impressed by the speed of young South African pilot, offered as Cevert teammate in 1974. The French never agreed because he thought it accidentaría in testing the final Grand Prix of the United States in Watkins Glen, where Scheckter did it again.

 

As a curiosity, Scheckter McLaren M23 was the number zero for the Grand Prix racing in the United States and Canada, 1973. Scheckter so, one of only two F1 drivers to use this number, along with Damon Hill. [2]

 

[Edit] Tyrrell 1974, Jody Scheckter then came finally to the Tyrrell-Ford-Cosworth, the team that Jackie Stewart won the title 73. However, "Uncle Ken" had to start from scratch, launching a new car, the 007, easier to drive, but probably the least efficient, and above all the death and removal Cevert Stewart. Both new drivers also was skeptical observers Scheckter creasen him a reputation as a "mad dog" and the French Depailler Patrick appeared with very little experience. During the first three Grand Prix, both drivers would use the old 006, and Jody did not register a point. But with the 007, its performance would improve considerably. Fifth in Jarama, earned his first podium in Nivelles, snatched third place on the last lap to Regazzoni. It gets even better in Monaco, coming second. Finally comes the Grand Prix of Sweden in Anderstorp. Depailler ranked second behind, Scheckter would take the lead from the start and never leave the tip and win his first victory with just 24! A fifth place in Zandvoort, fourth in France, and produced a successful second in Brands Hatch [2].

Depending on the pace of the Ferraris of Niki Lauda, ​​who was then leading the championship, had to remove six laps due to concerns about the tires in Austria. The "Pooh", a little more mature, now would aim to third place, just three points behind Lauda. The title would become a possibility. In Germany, he could do nothing against Clay Regazzoni, but provides an excellent second place perfectly. The adventurer had become in a few months in the perfect metronome and was now in second place overall. Stewart really had found his successor? Unfortunately, the title hopes went away. In fact, should be given in three of the last four races but then again, technical problems arise. Only a podium at Monza, you give life to this season. But in the end, Scheckter to finish an excellent third place, just ten points behind champions Fittipaldi. In total, showed that the title would in the future. In 1975, Ken Tyrrell decided to reuse the 007, with an improved version. The car benefited from a new front brake system and a new integrated system on wheels. Scheckter and it ended Depailler brake problems during the first races in Argentina and Brazil. At Kyalami, the 007 comes with the net changes in the suspensions, radiators and air intake. In the race, qualified third, Scheckter quickly gets rid of the drivers Brabham, Reutemann and Pace who go to the head. Jody would be harassed by Argentina during the race, but would recover and win his third Grand Prix ahead of his audience. The rest of the season will not be so lucky. Niki Lauda and his Ferrari 312T crusher is really competing, and Tyrrell can not follow. Scheckter would climb on the podium twice at Silverstone and Zolder. The rest of the time, the car lets you 007 or even score a point. I must say that Derek Gardner, the designer of the team, decided that in the summer of 1975 to complete the program would focus on a revolutionary project of the F1, P34, which appeared in 1976. Scheckter finished season to make matters worse, with twenty points in the 7 th place [2].

In early 1976, the Tyrrell P34 is presented to the public, a six-wheel drive in Formula 1. This development, beyond other considerations complicated techniques, should allow greater speed and better traction and braking. However, this system requires a dual braking and suspension, a considerable weight penalty. This revolutionary car would not be ready immediately. Depailler Scheckter and thus began the championship with the old 007, permeated Jody get some points. The P34 made its debut at Jarama and unlike Depailler, Scheckter was not convinced that car. It is certainly easier to handle than its predecessors, but the brakes are not satisfactory. The South African is 14 ° on the grill and remove the race the next day. But paradoxically, however, it was he who would get the best out of the squad. Back in Belgium, a second place in the streets of Monaco, offers her first (and only) victory in the [[Grand Prix of Sweden] in the P34. He signed with the first pole position, the first in Formula 1. On race day, Mario Andretti in his Lotus pulled his car snatching 1 ° position and led the first 45 laps before retiring with mechanical problems. Scheckter takes first place and take his monster Depailler victory followed [2].

Ken Tyrrell is ecstatic and sees himself the power to the car to beat Ferrari or McLaren Lauda Hunt. Unfortunately, the result is disappointing. In fact, it seems that the car's handling is ultimately very poor, and of course the car's performance suffers after declining to its promises. Gardner's whole theory collapses! He would take his talents to bring regularly Scheckter points in the team of "Uncle Ken". Add three times the second step of the podium at Brands Hatch, Nurburgring and at Watkins Glen. In Monza, victory is possible, but Ronnie Peterson with his amazing and quick march and steals the leadership of Jody and comes to an unexpected success. Since the summer of 76, Jody Scheckter and Ken Tyrrell announced that the P34 does not believe strongly, and he says take the team to a standstill. The 1977 season proved right, but meanwhile decided to go to another team, the Wolf-Cosworth. [2]

[Edit] Walter Wolf Racing early 1977, Walter Wolf, a wealthy Canadian businessman, was not unknown in F1 since the previous year, was an associate partner Frank Williams. The results are disastrous, completely buy Wolf team in late 1976 and decided to take to the summit. Therefore, reserves the brilliant engineer Harvey Postlethwaite and Peter Warr team manager, and managed to grab Scheckter. Everyone wonders what "the Pooh" is doing in this small team, this team would not score any points in 1976. A car also constryó the compact WR1, designed by Postlethwaite. The first Grand Prix in Buenos Aires, began badly: the tests are catastrophic, the car has cooling problems and Scheckter was only eleventh on the grid. But Sunday, January 9, 1977, the Wolf runs like clockwork. Jody liderarto gradually ascends the race for five laps ocupadao near the end by Carlos Pace Brabham. The Brazilian quickly must give way to incredible WR1, which cuts the car had come to win. For the first time in 1954 Mercedes, a team wins in his first Grand Prix! It is a feat accomplished in 2009 by Mercedes Brawn. However, Wolf and Scheckter did not let go, the car is having some technical problems. In Brazil, they put their feet on the ground: 15 th place on the grid and an engine failure. But Wolf is certainly a terrible success in the South African GP, ​​Scheckter taking it to second place behind Lauda and championship leader! In Long Beach, led 76 of the 80 laps until a flat tire relegated his podium at the end. This is only a postponement. After another podium at Jarama, comes the Monaco GP. Second place in the first line passes Jody John Watson Brabham from the start, leading throughout the race and receive the laurels of victory from the hands of the Prince Rainier III. Incredibly, it takes so strongly overall. Wolf was about to take his first title of builders and pilots. Unfortunately, everything has an end, and the following four withdrawals prevent it. however, always remained Wolf. In Zolder, Scheckter thought that would take the race early, but the Cosworth engine failure early. In Sweden, he returned to his mistakes of 1973 by clinging stupidly to Watson. In Dijon-Prenois, ends at the wall, and at Silverstone the engine fails again. In the Grand Prix of Germany, signed with his second pole and second termini behind Niki Lauda, ​​but it's too late: the championship, and the "team" in Austria was no longer the same. So there is nothing else to do and Scheckter ran and just drop multiple podiums, while Lauda would ensure the points. In Watkins Glen, the 3 ° place is useless, Lauda improvement. Despite its speed, suffers from too many technical problems Wolf Lauda and his Ferrari while maintaining good reliability. Little consolation, but instead manages to be runner-up and a final victory in Canada, despite having a defective car. [2]

A second year for a euquipo in F1 is very difficult, and the Wolf is no exception to the rule. The team begins the 1978 season with the old WR4, which leads to a disastrous start to the season. Lamentable tenth place in Buenos Aires, Scheckter, was nervous about the situation of the team, then accidentally leaves three consecutive times. Hits twice, even with the young Patrick Tambay in Brazil and enLong Beach. For the last race with the old car in Monaco, Jody, still very comfortable as a rock, brings a savior Third Walter Wolf. The new WR5 debuted at Zolder. This car was a risky bet by Harvey Postlethwaite, as it was a car, "wing" model toando Chapman, Lotus 79. This would also be a failure. The car was unreliable and adherence was poor (an attic). Moreover, Scheckter struggle to adapt their driving style to the rough ride forsosa due to car deilcado wing. Worse, it even tends to understeer and, as in the time of the Tyrrell P34, do not hesitate to tell your boss what you think bad of this car. Therefore, the relationship between Wolf and Scheckter would quickly delicate and stormy, and the South African pilot comienzaría to look elsewhere in 1979. However, some points would Scheckter honorable. At Brands Hatch, was third behind Andretti and Peterson Lotus then to weigh of its abandonment, finds his head quietly. But Wolf did not win that year: the gearbox was damaged on lap 36. However, I would bring another three podiums: a second at Hockenheim, but far from invincible Andretti, a third place at Watkins Glen and a second position in Montreal, behind Gilles Villeneuve. This would be the teammate Scheckter in 1979, "Pooh" decides to join the Scuderia Ferrari. [2]

 

[Edit] Finally the title, with FerrariCon this team exceeded all expectations, winning the championship in 1979 at Monza. However, he had a very bad season next year, because of a 312/T5 that was not competitive, so could not defend his title. After gaining just two points in 1980, Ferrari retired from racing in general and [2].

Enzo cars in 1978 were not up to the championship, but were rebuilt the following year, with the legendary Gilles Villeneuve and teammate Jody and achieve its ambition. Jody and Gilles became close friends and grew a good climate of rivalry that produced three victories in the race for everyone. Beat South Africa's French-Canadian to have more collection points in the other races that paid off and made him World Champion in 1979.

 

"Scheckter," said Enzo Ferrari said, "has proved a wise coordinator of their own abilities and potential, a man who has run in each circuit with the end result in mind, or safety. I'm not sure." [1 ]

 

Jody finally managed to reach his goal. He remained in Formula 1 to the 1980 season with Ferrari to meet its contractual obligations, and then retired at the age of 30 years. It was rich with the money he reported the races, but came to be even more, as a businessman working in fields far from the Formula 1. In America, founded a company of high-tech security and then sold part of his time spent in guiding the careers of pilots for their children Thomas and Toby, before embarking on a farming business in England.

 

Scheckter was the last driver to win a championship for Ferrari before Michael Schumacher achieved 21 years later. And Kimi Raikkonen, seven years after Schumi.