When last we left Formula 5000 (VR April 2014) Jody Scheckter had just overcome challenger Brian Redman for the 1973 crown, and despite the exit of title sponsor L&M cigarettes the series was looking ahead to what promised to be a new era of fierce competition in ’74 as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the United States Auto Club (USAC) combined forces to create great potential. However shakily that union may have been achieved, both organizations sought to solve their individual problems through a joint venture with the other to sanction and promote the series. The SCCA was hoping the star power of USAC’s household names would energize its potential audience, while USAC wanted to determine whether 5000’s sensible engine regulations might be a way to solve the reliability issues facing its ancient—though effective–Offenhauser power plants.
