Ronnie Bucknum

Ronald Bucknum , known as Ronnie Bucknum, (born the April 5th 1936 with Alhambra and deceased the April 14th 1992 at Obispo San Luis) was an American racing driver who in particular disputed 11 GP of Formule 1 between 1964 and 1966. It registered a total of 2 points and was classified 14th championship controls in 1965. Ronnie Bucknum owes its fame with the fact that he was the pilot who made begin the single-seaters Honda in GP from Formula 1.

History

Ronnie Bucknum begins its automobile career in 1957 of sport category in the USA. On its Austin - Healey, it makes watch of a beautiful blow of wheel by signing 44 successes and becoming champion of the USA in 1959, 1960, 1962 and 1964.

In 1964, it takes part in the 12 hours of Sebring on Porsche 905 and is pointed out of the world champion 1961, Phil Hill, had a presentiment of by Honda to develop its first Formule 1. Fault of being able to count on too inexperienced Japanese pilots, Honda, which wishes to conquer the US market, seeks to recruit Phil Hill which declines the proposal but " pistonne" Bucknum, which foams the American tests always successfully. Engineer Nakamura declares that at least Bucknum will control without conditioned reflexes and that it will not make shade with the single-seater. Rapid, serious adjuster, Bucknum, person of obscure repute with the international level and which led forever of single-seater, consequently becomes pilot of development and Honda race. He discharges his task with the satisfaction of all at Honda and is even congratulated for his progress by Jim Clark.

Bucknum disputes its first race of F1 to the GP of Germany 1964 at the wheel of the RA271. On the circuit of Nürburgring, Ronnie is constrained with the abandonment with four towers of the end following a slew-round. The RA271 is then equipped with a grout pipe system instead of the twelve carburettors (considered to be responsible for the accident of Bucknum). It disputes the last two GP of the season (qualified 10th then 14th) but is each time constrained with the abandonment for mechanical reasons.

In 1965, it is renewed in its functions at the wheel of the RA723 from now on chaussee in Goodyear. Honda decided to associate an American fellow-member to him, who showed the extent of his talent at Ferrari then BRM, Richie Ginther. Bucknum breaks the leg under private tests of intersaison with Suzuka and Ginther then takes quickly the ascending one on him. Its first complete season begins rather badly because the single-seater is always in unreliability and it is only with the GP of Italy, 6th of the season, that Bucknum is finally pointed out while being qualified in 6th place on the grid. But, there still, a mechanical rupture deprives it of the flag with checkerworks. Finally, it succeeds in taking down its first points (which will be its last) in F1 while finishing in the 5th place of the GP of Mexico. Miss chance for Bucknum, its result is completely eclipsed by the victory of its Ginther fellow-member, who, consequently, offers at Honda his first victory Formulates 1 of them.

In 1966, the new constrained technical payment manufacturers to replace the blocks 1500 Cm3 by 3000 Cm3. Honda, which finally had just gained with its 1500, must almost all begin again to zero and design an engine answering the new regulation. While waiting for that Honda takes again the competition with a new model, the American pilot turns over at his place to dispute tests of sport scars. He is then recruited by Ford to control the Ford GT40 MkII with the 24 hours of Mans to replace A.J. Foyt wounded. Bucknum and Dick Hutcherson finish on the podium behind the two other GT40 of Ken Miles - Denny Hulme and Bruce McLaren - Chris Amon. At the end of the season, when Honda seems to have finalized new RA 273, it is recalled but it proves that the single-seater is one cooking technical failure. Bucknum disputes the tests American and Mexican (qualified 18th then 13th) and, if it is constrained with the abandonment in the USA (transmission), it is classified in honourable a 8th final place in Mexico which will be the last of its career in F1, indeed, Honda chooses to engage only one single-seater, reserved for John Surtees in 1967.

In 1967, Bucknum turns over to the USA and the sport scar proof. Then it turns to the championship of single-seaters USAC in which it takes down its first victory in 1968. If it is also tested in championship Edge-Am, the success seems to flee it. In 1970, it is engaged by North American Racing TEAM (NART) to dispute once again the 24 hours of Mans on Ferrari 512S. Qualified in 13th position at 12 seconds of the pole of Vic Elford, Bucknum is placed at the 7th rank of the 11 Ferrari 512S committed. It is in ninth position per 9th hour of race then goes back to the classification with the wire of the abandonments to finish in brilliant a 4th place, first of both 512S survivors. This beautiful result enables him to be committed for the 24 hours of Daytona which it again finishes 2nd with a turn of the winner then at the 24 hours of Mans 1975 on Ferrari 365 GTB/4 but Bucknum does not take finally by share with the race and takes its sporting retirement to look after its diabetes which carries it at the 57 years age, on April 14th, 1992.

Results in F1

Random links: