Honda RA302 1968

[Pete05]

The Honda RA302 was introduced by Honda Racing France during the 1968 Formula One season. The car was built based on the order by Soichiro Honda to develop an air-cooled Formula One engine. This the car was forcibly entered in the Formula One race alongside the water-cooled, aluminium-bodied RA301 which had been developed by the existing Honda team and British Lola Cars.
It would only appear in one race, the 1968 French Grand Prix at Rouen Les-Essarts, driven by Jo Schlesser. Schlesser was chosen to drive the RA302 because normal Honda driver John Surtees (who was the 1964 World Champion) refused to drive it as he deemed it to be unsafe and labelled it as a "potential death trap". This was proven on lap two of the Grand Prix; Schlesser crashed at the Virage Des Six Freres section of the circuit and the car came to rest sideways against a bank. The magnesium-bodied Honda and 58 laps worth of high octane fuel ignited instantly, killing Schlesser and destroying the original RA302.
A second RA302 was built, with slight modifications, earmarked for Surtees to drive at the next race, but when Surtees again refused to drive it, Honda decided to pull out of Grand Prix racing and did not return as a constructor until the 2006 Formula One season with the Honda RA106.
The RA302 intended for Surtees at the Italian Grand Prix is now shown at the Honda Collection Hall.

SPECIFICATIONS

Chassis
Magnesium skinned monocoque

Brakes
Disc brakes, all-round

Suspension
Double wishbones

DIMENSIONS

Front track
1500 mm

Rear track
1415 mm

Wheelbase
2360 mm

Length
3780 mm

Height
816 mm

Fuel tank capacity
200 litres

Weight
Less than 500 kg

ENGINE

Aspiration
Naturally aspirated

Cooling
Air cooled

Configuration
120 degree V8, longitudinally mounted

Capacity
2987 cc

Ignition
Honda transistor type

Compression
11.5:1

Valves
4 valves per cylinder, DOHC per bank

Fuel feed
Honda type low pressure suction pipe timed injection!

Power
430 bhp @ 9500 rpm

Oil system
Dry sump lubrication

Gearbox
5 speed manual

http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/232/honda-ra302

http://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1964formulaoneentry/index.html

 

[GTPorsche]

At least it would be safer to drive in Gran Turismo.

 

[Pete05]

At least it would be safer to drive in Gran Turismo.

Let's face it, the chances of Honda wanting this car in GT are minimal. It's a very different F1 car being air-cooled which is why I've given it a nomination.
Being the car Jo Schlesser was driving when he lost his life is very sad.

 

[GTPorsche]

Most F1 cars of that period were air-cooled.

Edit: In fact, almost all F1 cars have been air-cooled.

 

[StarLight]

Another F1 car from Pete.
👍

 

[Pete05]

OP has been updated with background information & technical specifications.

Enjoy