1976 Formula Ford, how race cars were build back then

In this video we explore a Formula Ford Hawke from 1976, the DL19 is explained from the bottom to the top and back to front. It is at the same time an analysis of the work that needs to be done prior to its next race

[grahammillar]

I raced a 19 back in 1980/81 and the side pods had no openings at the front. Air was pulled from the sides through the radiator into an area of low pressure behind them. The rear suspension was a disaster due to the fact the lower arms were parallel and not linked so moved under load. The front rockers bent easily and the ratio they gave meant you had very high spring rates. It is easy to see where the designer, David Lazenby, got the idea from having worked at Lotus. I remember visiting the factory after the Keegans took over the company and I was amazed at the amount of stock they carried considering the cars were not very competitive. The front rack casing was fabricated by Hawke. Not a great car and a big disappointment against other marques that were available at the time. I learned so much from racing the car that I ended up designing and building my own Formula Fords in later years.

[robertpotharst]

Dear sir, in 1976 I worked at Hawke Racing Cars at Southend airport in the factory with David Lazenby and Vic Holman. The DL15 was used in GB and Europe in several championships, with great success. In October at the famous FF1600 Festival, (180 plus entries). Hawke finished in the Final; First, Second, Third and Tenth, I prepared and ran the winning car with our works driver Derek Daly, Derek Warwick was 2nd, Rick morris 3th and Jan Lammers 10th. The car you showing is a DL15, why? Because in the winter of 76/77 Lazenby designed the DL19 which had a longer chassis because there was a 6 or 8 inch, (can't remember 6 or 8 long time ago!) spacer between engine and bellhouse of the gearbox. So this configuration we used for 1977. During that year we noticed that this spacer was not rigid enough, my driver that year Bernard Devaney was never happy, so after some testing we removed de spacer and that improved our performance. So the DL19 never raced in 1976. Graham Millar is right about the sidepods, the air went round the side into the rads at the side of the engine. On an other point you mentioned that the engine has 140 horsepower, well that is for sure not, (if that is so your engine is illegal), average power depending on which tuners, was around 104 to 107. Also Hawke started around 1970 with the DL2.

[bobblaine]

I 'crewed' for a friend in the late 70's, though he owned a different brand. It was interesting to see the differences and similarities. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[shaunozsra]

I loved this Formula Ford brought back so many memories. It was a great Formula here in South Africa during the 70s and 80s

[vayabroder]

Great illustrative video as always, Steve! The series with the other race cars have been awesome as well; I learn a lot. Thank you!

[quintincairncross]

I am not really a racing car enthusiast, but I would never miss any of your videos as you have the unique ability to make any subject interesting, logical and entertaining. Can't wait for the next one, whatever it is.

[bobmcl]

I was co-owner and mechanic on a Hawke DL21 here in Canada for many years in the 1980s. The main Visual difference from your car was the side pods. They had a front opening to admit air to the radiators, and top openings to let the air out. What a wonderful, honest, well-built and quick car that was. Thanks for a great memory. I will share your video with a couple of my former team mates.

[brianparkinson]

Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience .

[geraldswain]

I think you had better change the name to Steve's competition shop ! ..ha ha ha . I love it Steve .

[bjsteg]

I wish you were my technical instructor explaining all these different systems and setups. This is just awesome information. I don't care how old or common the tech is. It's amazing and inspiring how engineers were able to dream up and refine these systems before electronics and 3D modeling surpassed everything.

[AlfieGoodrich]

Fascinating video. Drove one of these at Castle Combe back in 1999. Lots of fun. Super responsive.

[sfrilingos]

Just discovered you channel. Love everything so far!

[ShaunCymruDS]

Very interesting new content recently on your channel, I’m really enjoying it and learning as I watch. You’re a very interesting fella Steve.

[duncangrainge]

Excellent production Steve. I’m looking forward to this one . Thank you.

[dragmahk]

incredibly detailed video, i enjoyed so much the 40 minutes felt like 4! Thanks for the content.

[eqwe]

Nice video. Can't wait to see the inside of that gear box now. You do have quite the collection of cars I must say. Impressive! Enjoy them to the fullest!

[salamander]

Nice car and nice video. You have so much knowledge and experience, next
PS the name Hawke rhymes with walk.

[robames]

I knew about straight cut gears and heard of dog boxes but up til now I did not know HOW they worked. Great technical video as usual. Thank you from Australia

[ImnotgoingSideways]

I'm yet to see a manufactured car which doesn't have ackermann steering. The easiest way to determine its presence is the horizontal trapezoidal relationship between the steering pivot points and control linkage. Maybe some very clunky pickup trucks or tractors may be parallel synchronized. But, I've always seen the trapezoid in effect. There are other dimensions to consider, but that's the most basic way to view it.
As for the chassis you're presenting here, it does appear to be parallel synch. Looking at the front shot of the frame at 4:20 I can see expected geometry. Forming a vertical trapezoid, the upper links are the most narrow, lower links most wide, and steering links coinciding with a virtual line in between. Kind of an A----A in appearance. With a leading steering rack like it has, the steering linkage would have to be relatively wider. Typical street cars have trailing linkage with relatively narrow steering linkage.
There are other ways to achieve the geometry, but, this is a Youtube comment which is probably already too wordy as-is.

[iantrott]

This takes me back!

My father raced FF (with an Alexis Mk15) in the 70’s, finishing at the end of the 76 season. I was only a kid, I was born in 65, but I remember learning how to change the gear rations when I was about nine years old :)