Forsgrini Engineering

Forsgrini Engineering is a former American racecar constructor based in Issaquah, Washington. The company produced various racing cars for Formula C, Tasman Series and other classes.

History

After racing karts in the 1950s brothers Lyle and Dale Forsgren started building and racing cars called Forsgrini. The first car, Mk. I, was built to Sports Car Club of America H Modified specifications. The car featured a Crosley engine and fiberglass body. The Monte Carlo was the brothers second car. Based on Fiat parts the car proved successful. Lyle finished second in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in the H Sports Racer class in 1966.[1] Lyle finished second to Dan Parkinson in a Dolphin America.[2]

In 1968 Lyle quit Boeing to build race cars full-time. Forsgrini built it first single seater, the Forsgrini Mk. 10. Mike Campbell competed the 1.100cc Ford powered Mk. 10 in Formula C. Campbell won the Runoffs at Riverside International Raceway. Campbell beat Bill Rutan in a Saab powered Quantum by only six tenths of a second.[3]

The constructors debut in Formula 5000 also came in 19668. At the season finale of the 1968 SCCA Grand Prix Championship at Laguna Seca Lyle Forsgren finished in twelfth place. Forsgren ran a factory entered Chevrolet powered Mk. 10 D.[4] For 1969 the Mk. 11 Formula 5000 car was introduced. The car was entered in two pro championship races. Harry Swanson finished thirteenth at Seattle International Raceway.[5] Lyle Forsgren suffered overheating issues and a fuel leak which prevented a finish at Riverside Speedway.[6] Forsgren scored his first (and only) championship points in 1970. At Sears Point Raceway Forsgren finished seventh, scoring four points.[7] Forsgren ran the newest introduction, the Mk.14.

Campbell ran a Ford Boss 302 powered Forsgrini Mk.14 in the 1970 Tasman Series. Campbell scored his only championship point at the Lady Wigram Trophy. At the Wigram Airfield Circuit the American finished sixth. His only other race finish was at Warwick Farm Raceway, a tenth place.

Lyle Forsgren closed Forsgrini Engineering in 1971. After building racecars Lyle moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to work for Mercury Marine.[8]

Racing cars
YearCarClass
1960Forsgrini Mk. IH Modified
1961Forsgrini Monte CarloH Modified
1962Forsgrini MartiniH Modified
1962Forsgrini MonacoG Modified
1963Forsgrini VeloceG Modified
1968Forsgrini Mk. 10 FCFormula C
1969Forsgrini Mk. 12 FFFormula Ford
1969Forsgrini Mk. 11Formula 5000
1970Forsgrini Mk. 14Formula 5000

References
  1. "Forsgrini Chassis". Sports. Racer. Network. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  2. "Dolphin Chassis". Sports . Racer . Network. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  3. "SCCA Runoffs Driver Histories" (PDF). SCCA. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  4. "Ken Miles Memorial Race". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  5. "Seattle Grand Prix". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  6. "Riverside Grand Prix". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  7. "Continental 49'er". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  8. Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950-1969. MotorBooks International. pp. 76–77. ISBN 9781610592406. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
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