Penske PC3

The Penske PC3 was a Formula One car used by Citibank Team Penske during the 1976 Formula One season, It was designed by Geoff Ferris.[2]

Penske PC3
Penske PC3 in 2015 Silverstone Classic.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorPenske
Designer(s)Geoff Ferris
PredecessorPC1
SuccessorPC4
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium monocoque
Axle trackFront: 1,499 mm (59.0 in)
Rear: 1,562 mm (61.5 in)
Wheelbase2,692 mm (106.0 in)
EngineFord Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated Mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionHewland FG 400 5-speed manual
Weight582 kg (1,283 lb)
FuelSunoco
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsCitibank Team Penske
F&S Properties
Notable drivers John Watson
Boy Hayje
Debut1976 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
7000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Development

In 1976 Penske signed a sponsorship deal with Citibank and built a new car, the Penske PC3. Northern Irish driver John Watson was signed to drive the car. which retained some of the design features from its predecessors, the Penske PC1, and the March 751. The PC3 was a development of the March 751 and bore a close resemblance to it. In total, two cars were constructed with one being driven by Watson.

Racing history

1975

Penske fielded the brand new PC3 for Watson in the final race of the 1975 season. The United States Grand Prix, Watson used the car in practice, but due to a technical failure was forced to switch to the old PC1, which was in the paddock as a demonstrator, for the race. He finished in ninth position, but his performance earned him a full-time Penske F1 drive for 1976.[3]

1976

The first race of the 1976 season was the Brazilian Grand Prix, Watson retired when a fuel system failure turned into a fire.[4] and finished fifth at South Africa.[5] Watson was eleven laps down and not classified at the United States Grand Prix West[6] and retired at Spain with engine failure,[7] Watson finished seventh at the Belgian Grand Prix[8] and tenth at Monaco.[9] The PC3 was not as good as had been hoped and in the midseason Penske produced a new Penske PC4 from the Swedish Grand Prix onwards.

The Penske team scored 20 World Championship points in 1976, two with the PC3 and 18 with the PC4. Earning them fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

F&S Properties
Boy Hayje driving a PC3 entered by F&S Properties for the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix.

F&S Properties bought a PC3 from Penske and entered Dutchman Boy Hayje for his home race, the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix but he retired with a broken halfshaft.[10]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrants Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
1975 Penske Cars Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA ESP MON BEL SWE NED FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA 21 12th1
John Watson PO
1976 Citibank Team Penske Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USE JPN 202 5th2
John Watson Ret 5 NC Ret 7 10
F&S Properties Boy Hayje Ret
1977 Hexagon Racing Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP MON BEL SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USE CAN JPN 13 12th3
Derek Bell WD
Source:[1][11]

^1 All points scored in 1975 with the Penske PC1.
^2 18 points scored in 1976 with the Penske PC4.
^3 1 point scored in 1977 with the Penske PC4.

Non-Championship results

(key)

Year Entrants Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2
1976 Citibank Team Penske Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ROC INT
John Watson Ret
1977 Hexagon Racing Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ROC
Bob Evans 11

References
  1. Stats F1. "Penske PC3". Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. "Penske Ford". Jonathan Davies. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  3. "Grand Prix results, United States GP 1975". grandprix.com. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. "Grand Prix results, Brazilian GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  5. "Grand Prix results, South Africa GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  6. "Grand Prix results, United States GP West 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  7. "Grand Prix results, Spanish GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  8. "Grand Prix results, Belgian GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  9. "Grand Prix results, Monaco GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  10. "Grand Prix results, Dutch GP 1976". grandprix.com. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  11. Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 179 and 396. ISBN 0851127029.
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