Teddy’s dream

Theodore Racing was a Formula One constructor from Hong Kong founded by real estate magnate and millionaire, racing enthusiast, Teddy Yip.

Yip bought the Shadow team at the beginning of 1980, but the results were poor, and in the mid-summer, he decided to retire the team and to rethink his involvement in racing. With Sid Taylor and Julian Randles, he established Theodore Racing Ltd. and recruited esteemed engineer Tony Southgate and team manager Jo Ramirez.

The new car, the Theodore TY01 was driven by Patrick Tambay (picture above at Jarama), at the start of 1981. He finished a fine sixth at Long Beach and then seventh in Monaco, but in the mid-season Tambay moved to Ligier.

Yip then gave the drive to Swiss driver Marc Surer, who did not score a point that year (picture below at the British Grand Prix), his best finish being 8th at the Dutch Grand Prix held at Zandvoort.