March in Racing History

Mario Andretti drives a Ferrari to his first Formula One win in the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami (1971). In only his 10th start over four fractured seasons this revs up his career.

Honda engines make their CART race debut at Surfers Paradise, Australia. Bobby Rahal starts 16th and finishes 26th, while Mike Groff goes from 14th to 8th (1994).

In 1997 David Coulthard wins the Australian Grand Prix in a Mercedes-powered McLaren. First Mercedes victory since Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1955 Italian Grand Prix (1997).

Porsche 935 makes its race debut at Mugello, Italy (1976). The Martini Racing car had a slantnose front end that would become the trademark for the 935. Drivers Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass took their Martini 935 to the finish in 1st place.

Seagrave sets one-mile Land Speed record of 203.790 mph (1927). Unfortunately, like many speed demons of the era, his record breaking attemps are what ultimately cost him his life He died in June 1930 during a water speed record attempt.

F1 World Championship debut for George Follmer and Shadow. Follmer brought his Shadow in sixth place in the South African Grand Prix at Kylami (1973). Although a novice in Formula One, had extensive experience in sportscar racing.

Granatelli turbine-powered Indy car is unveiled to the press (1967). It was the product of a partnership between Indy 500 icon Andy Granatelli and Lotus founder Colin Chapman. Hill, who won at Indy in 1966, drove the car to a four-lap qualifying record of 171.208 mph at the Brickyard in 1968.

The Lola T70 spyder makes its race debut at Silverstone, England. John Surtees leads most of the laps in his T70, but finishes second to Jim Clark’s Lotus 30 (1965). Surtees had gone in to partnership with Lola to form Team Surtees, and the very first car – SL70/1 – went to him

Fernando Minoia and Giuseppi Morandi win the first Mille Miglia in an O.M. They cover the route from Brescia to Rome and back in 21 hours, 55 minutes and 16.05 seconds – 16 minutes faster than the second place car (1927). That year, he finished 4th at the Italian Grand Prix.

Ferrari 250 GTO makes its debut in the 12-Hours sports car race at Sebring, Florida (1962). On March 24, 1962, a new edition of the 12 hours at Sebring International Raceway was held in Florida (USA), scoring for the World Endurance Championship test. It was driven by American Phil Hill.

Four spectators are killed during the 12-Hours of Sebring endurance race when Don Wester’s Porsche 906 hits them while attempting to avoid a spinning NART Ferrari 365 P2 driven by Mario Andretti (1966). The four spectators who died were all in a restricted area.

The Protos HCP-1 F2 racer, the first wooden monocoque open-wheel- er, debuts in the BARC Wills Trophy Race at Silverstone, England (1967). Powered by the then-standard Ford-Cosworth 1600cc FVA-engine, it was noticeable for its slippery aerodynamic Frank Costin design.

 Tazio Nuvolari drives a Bugatti 35C to victory in the Grand Prix of Tripoli for his first international auto racing win (1928). On the same day, 11 March, Louis Chiron took first place on the Circuit d’Esterel Plage in France driving the same model.

Porsche officially submits the 917 to the FIA for homologation (1969). Chassis 001 was the first 917 to appear in public. The car was unveiled at 3:09 PM local time on March 12 in the Swiss Auto Club booth at the Geneva Motor Show press day. 

Clay Regazonni, driving a Ferrari 312T, wins the first United States Grand Prix West at Long Beach, California (1976). Clay Regazzoni dominated the weekend with pole and fastest lap, beating out team-mate and championship leader Niki Lauda. 

The Intrepid, with Wayne Taylor driving, makes its IMSA GTP racing debut with a 2nd place finish at West Palm Beach, Florida (1991). It won one IMSA race during its factory campaign thanks to its insane downforce figures.

Stirling Moss and Bill Lloyd win the 12 Hours of Sebring, in Briggs Cunningham’s 1.5-liter OSCA. Porfirio Rubirosa drives his 3.3-liter Lancia D24 to 2nd place (1954). It was the second race of the 1954 World Sportscar Championship.

While driving to Nice, France, after supervising a test session at Paul Ricard, Williams team principal Frank Williams loses control of his Ford Sierra rental car and crashes, breaking his neck (1986).

Bob Wolleck and A.J. Foyt drive the Swap Shop Porsche 962 to victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring (1985). The race was held at the Sebring International Raceway, on March 23, 1985. 

Buddy Baker drives a Dodge Charger Daytona to a new World Closed Course Speed Record of 200.447 mph at Talledega International Speedway (1970). It started as a press vehicle before being converted into a race car for Daytona 500.

Jim Hall and Hap Sharp, driving a Chaparral 2, win the rain-soaked 12 Hours of Sebring (1965). As expected the ultra-light (1450 lbs.) Chaparrals from Midland, Texas were fastest in qualifying but their speed astounded everyone. 

Damon Hill wins the Australian GP in a Williams. His teammate, Jacques Villenueve, is 2nd in his F1 debut (1996). At the Australian Grand Prix, Jacques Villeneuve becomes the fourth driver to start on pole in his F1 debut, but finishes 2nd to his Williams teammate, Damon Hill (1996).

Andre Ribeiro wins the Rio 400 in Rio de Janeiro, the first CART race run in Brazil (1996). Andre Ribeiro drives his Reynard-Honda to victory in the first CART Indy Car race ever held in Brazil, on the Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway in Rio de Janeiro (1996).

Jochen Mass and Bobby Rahal drive Bruce Leven’s Porsche 962 to victory in the IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race (1987). It gave give Porsche its 12th consecutive victory in America’s oldest sports car endurance event. They took the lead with less than two hours remaining from another 962.

 Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver drive a Ford GT40 to victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring (1969).

Wayne Taylor, Jim Pace, and Eric van de Poole drive an R&S MkIII WSC to victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring (1996).

Emerson Fittipaldi drives a Lotus 72 to victory in the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, England (1972).