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  Hesketh 308 Cosworth      

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Country of origin:Great Britain
Produced from:1974 - 1975
Numbers built:4
Designed by:Harvey Postlethwaite
Successor:Hesketh 308C Cosworth
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:May 07, 2014
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Click here to download printer friendly versionPostlethwaite's original design may not have been revolutionary, it did form a good basis for further development. During the off-season, the single front radiator was discarded. It was replaced by two lateral radiators mounted longitudinally inside the sidepods. Postlethwaite used the freed up space on the nose to his benefit by fitting a small wing, which would become the trademark of the 1975 Heskeths. Towards the end of the 1974 season, Postlethwaite had also started experimenting with rubber alternatives for the standard steel coil springs. He limited the trials to the front suspension where a separate spring unit with a rubber cone was fitted. The progressiveness and resistance of the spring could be quickly changed by adding or removing bits of rubber.

Hunt continued his good form by clinching second in the first race of the new season. Hesketh was clearly closer to the top teams than a year before. From the Spanish Grand Prix, Hunt was joined by a second driver, one very young Alan Jones. At the Dutch Grand Prix, Hunt and Hesketh made the most from the changing weather conditions. On a drying track, Hunt was the first to pit for slick tyres. It was enough to emerge in the lead after all top runners had swapped tyres. Hunt fought off the soon to be crowned World Champion Niki Lauda and score the team's first Grand Prix victory. He followed that maiden win with another second place finish and eventually ended the season fourth in the driver's standing. Hunt completed the final two races with the new 308C, which featured rubber springs on all four corners.

Unfortunately, Lord Hesketh was forced to pull the plug at the end of the year. Ironically, it was the lack of funds and the inability to find sponsors that dealt the fatal blow to the flamboyant team. The four original 308s were sold to privateers, while the two new 308Cs were sold to Frank Williams and raced as the Williams FW05 in 1976. Team manager Anthony Horsely ran some of the old cars for privateers and even developed new Heskeths for 1977, but the Lord played no part in this chapter of 'his' team's history. Hunt joined McLaren in 1976 and finished the season as World Champion. Hesketh's other driver, Alan Jones, followed his former teammate's example in 1980. So Lord Hesketh gave two future World Champions their break into Formula 1.

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  Article Image gallery (32) Chassis (2) Specifications User Comments (1)