Formula Crane 45

The Formula Crane 45 was a single-seater racing series held at Autopolis in 1991 and 1992.

Formula Crane 45
CategorySingle seaters
CountryJapan Japan
RegionAutopolis, Ōita Prefecture
Inaugural season1991
Folded1992
ConstructorsSabre Racing Cars
Engine suppliersBuick

History

Owner of the Autopolis circuit Tomonori Tsurumaki ordered 30 Buick powered US built single seater race cars called Sabre FC45 for a race to take place on his circuit's grand opening on November 1990, consisting of a mixture of invited US CART drivers such as Stan Fox, Johnny Rutherford, Dick Simon, Gary and Tony Bettenhausen against local Japanese drivers. The cars were originally built for a spec racing class to have been run by USAC; however, this class was never realized. After the grand opening, Tsurumaki planned on a series with the cars, known as Formula Crane 45. With only a handful of cars during the 1991 and 1992 season the class was not very successful. When Autopolis went bankrupt the assets including the cars were sold to the highest bidder.[1]

1991

RoundDateWinning driver
1April 21Japan Masatomo Shimizu
2June 9Japan Masatomo Shimizu
3August 18Japan Shunji Kasuya
4November 11Japan Shunji Kasuya

1992

RoundDateWinning driver
1May 31Japan Shunji Kasuya
2September 20Japan Tetsuji Tamanaka
3October 18Japan Fumio Muto
4November 22Japan Tetsuji Tamanaka

Champions

YearDriverCar
1991Japan Masatomo ShimizuSabre FC45
1992Japan Tetsuji TamanakaSabre FC45

References

  1. "Formula Crane 45". Racing History Japan. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
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