Schuppan and the orange Ensign

Vern Schuppan is on a fast lap in his orange Ensign N174-Cosworth (pictured above by Paul Kooyman) entered by Teddy Yip’s Theodore Racing, during qualifying for the 1974 British Grand Prix, run at the Brands Hatch circuit.

Despite his best efforts and a 30th place finish out of 36 entries (!), the Australian failed to qualify for the race. An excellent and versatile driver, Vern Schuppan would not find success in Formula 1, always driving uncompetitive cars. He competed in 13 Grands Prix between 1972 and 1977 in BRM, Hill, Ensign, and Surtees cars, starting from the back of the grid, and failed to score any championship points.

Although he considered himself a single-seater driver, and even participated in the Indianapolis 500 and the F5000, Schuppan found glory when, at the wheel of a factory Porsche 956 Rothmans, and well supported by Americans Hurley Haywood and Al Holbert, he won the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo below: the Australian at the wheel of his Ensign N174 in 1974.