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Vern Schuppan

Ed McDonough
In addition to F1, Indy and sports cars, Vern Schuppan also proved formidable in a F5000 car. Here Schuppan is seen driving the Eagle 755 F5000 to 2nd place in the 1975 inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix. Photo: Bob Tronolone

A new event in the British racing calendar took place in July 1973, the Avon Motor Tour of Britain. The Tour was based on the Tour de France with similar special rally stages, races at all the U.K. circuits— even a special drag race. Ford entered three Capris for champion rally driver Roger Clark/Tony Mason, Dave Matthews/Charles Reynolds (now with the FIA) and Prince Michael of Kent/Nigel Clarkson. The classes were divided by price, and a works Ford was entered in the most expensive class for Australian BRM F1 driver Vern Schuppan. His co-driver was VRJ’s European Editor, Ed McDonough. Recently, they caught up with each other at this year’s Long Beach Grand Prix where Vern was being reunited with the Eagle 755 F5000 he drove there in 1975, and the two talked about Schuppan’s impressive career that in­cludes F1, Indy, F5000 and even a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Did your motor racing start in cars in Australia, or after you went to Britain?

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