The 1970s was the last era in the Formula One where drivers and team could enter with a so called kit-car. Many examples are in existing of these teams and drivers that tried their luck. If it was only to taste the Formula One in those days. It is therefore interesting to understand that all the drivers had to agree on it to allow them to enter a Grand Prix. While most were lucky, there are sad stories of those who were unable to start. One of them is Karl Oppitzhauser with his March 761 during the Austrian Grand Prix of 1976.
It’s Friday the 13th when Austrian driver Karl Oppitzhauser arrives at the Österreichring with his March 761. Entered under the name Sports Cars of Austria. Karl Oppitzhauser debuted in the autosport at the age of 22 in the Formula Vee series where he would race a couple of years. After he made the move to the Sports Cars. In 1968 he started racing with a Ferrari Dino, switching to the Lamborghini Muira he moved in 1972 to the Alfasud Cup. Making a name in the touring cars BMW offered him a contract to become one of their factory drivers. He appeared for them in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft until 1985. While competitive in the touring cars Karl moved to the Formula 3 in 1973.
Having his career going well the Formula One was luring, the infrastructure was there as he had his own garage as well. Therefore, the plan was made to place an entry for the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring. To come this far Karl purchased a new March 761. As usual those days he fitted a Cosworth DFV engine. He would enter the car under the banner of Sports Cars of Austria. However, a week prior the Grand Prix it was said that Karl would appear with Brian McGuire’s Williams FW04 on the track.
In those days, Formula One drivers had to have a special license to appear at the start of a Grand Prix. Karl received his license and should be able to race during his home Grand Prix. Prior the race, he tested with the March 761, the test went fine with some good times clocked. Ready to go to the Grand Prix you would say. So he did.
From here there are two stories regarding Karl Oppitzhausers Grand Prix weekend. When arriving at the circuit he was told by the Austrian Autosport federation that he was unable to start during the Grand Prix. While he had his license, he needed a document signed by all the drivers agreeing on the fact he would race. At that point, he had less experience with single-seaters. Having all drivers signed the document the federation refused his entry on Friday due to his lack of experience. The other story goes that Karl did not had all the drivers their signature and therefore was not allowed to enter the Grand Prix.
Unhappy how the weekend occurred there were still two Grand Prix’s to be held in Europe. However, after the horrible accident from fellow Austrian Lauda he decided not to qualify himself for the other races. Besides two races in the British Formula 1 he returned to the touring cars.
Perhaps a long forgotten little side note in the history of Formula One, for me a little side note with a historical value that should be never forgotten. Let’s never forget those who pursued their dreams back in the day.
