Honda RA301

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Honda RA301
Honda RA301 1968 Mexico Honda Collection Hall.jpg
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorHonda R&D
Designer(s) (Honda),
(Honda),
(Lola Cars)
PredecessorRA300
SuccessorRA302 / RA106
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)Double-wishbone
Suspension (rear)Double-wishbone
Axle trackFront: 56.7 in (144.0 cm)[1]
Rear: 55.1 in (140 cm)[1]
Wheelbase94.8 in (240.8 cm)[1]
EngineHonda RA273E 2,991 cc (182.5 cu in) V12 naturally aspirated mid-engined, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionHonda 5-speed manual
FuelBP/Shell
TyresFirestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsHonda Racing
Notable driversUnited Kingdom John Surtees
Debut1968 Spanish Grand Prix,
Jarama
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
11011
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Honda RA301 was a Formula One racing car produced by Honda Racing for the 1968 Formula One season.[2] It was introduced during the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix, the second round of the season. Like its predecessor (RA300), the car was co-developed by Lola Cars, and called "Lola T180" by Lola Cars.

The car was an update of the previous season's RA300, using the same RA273E engine. As Honda was also focused on developing the air-cooled RA302, the RA301's development suffered and Surtees only managed a best of second place in the France. Poor reliability saw him managing to finish just two other races.

The car was planned to be replaced by the RA302 at the 1968 French Grand Prix, but Surtees refused to drive the new car because of safety concerns. After the death of Jo Schlesser at that race, Surtees again refused to drive the RA302 at the 1968 Italian Grand Prix, and the RA301 was used until the end of the season.

With Honda's withdrawal from Formula One at the end of the season, the RA301 was the last F1 car raced by Honda until the 2006 Formula One season's Honda RA106.

Surtees driving the RA301 at the 1968 German Grand Prix

Complete Formula One World Championship results[]

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Points WCC
1968 Honda Racing Honda 3.0 V12 F RSA ESP MON BEL NED FRA GBR GER ITA CAN USA MEX 14 6th
John Surtees Ret Ret Ret Ret 2 5 Ret Ret Ret 3 Ret
David Hobbs Ret
Joakim Bonnier Racing Team Jo Bonnier 5
Source:[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Taylor, Roger (September 1968). "Honda RA301". Model Cars. Model & Allied Publications. p. 427.
  2. ^ "Honda Global | 2016".
  3. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 70, 190 and 370–71. ISBN 0851127029.



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