Bowin P6
From Bowincars
 Bob Skelton Bowin P6F P6F-119-72 |
 John Leffler driving his Bowin P6F P6F-120-72 |
 Len Searle's Bowin P6F P6F-126-73 |
 David Mingay's Bowin P6F P6F-122-72 |
Contents |
The Design
John Joyce felt the P6F had done much to solve two problems - attitude-change of racing cars under centrifugal forces; and unbalanced weight distribution. The P6F has a centre of gravity near the true centre of the car, where as the weight distribution on the previously succesful Bowin P4A had been 38/62 front-to-rear. The P6F had a 45/55 weight distribution.
Joyce's went about designing a new type of variable rate suspension which better controls the attitude of the car under acceleration and de-acceleration. Joyce designed and perfected the variable rate suspension which he believed was more advanced than the rising rate suspension unit fitted to the Lotus cars which won the 1972 world Championships. The difference, basically, is that variable rate system can be altered simply by screw adjustment on the car. The Lotus rising rate unit has only one setting.
The P6F body was designed wedge-shape to prevent drag-lift - a condition in which a racing car can become up to 200lbs "lighter" at speed as air lifts the body.
The wedge body enabled the P6F to retain its original weight and keep tyre contact with the ground at optimum level without the use of wings which, because of their bulk in the air stream, can slow a Formula Ford.
Joyce began the P6F development in January 1972 and the first example was raced by Bob Skelton in the Formula Ford "World Championship" in Europe late 1972.
The Cars
The link from each chassis number leads to a page for each car
| Class | Chassis | Date | First Owner | Current Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF
| 8th Sep 1972
| Skelton
| T. Edwards
| Some History & 2 Photos
| |
| FF
| 11th Jan 1973
| Leffler
| M. Lloyd
| Some History & 4 Photos
| |
| FF
| 29th Oct 1972
| Rade
| D. Welsh
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| 6th Nov 1972
| David Mingay
| P. Williams
| Some History & 9 Photo
| |
| FF
| 23rd Nov 1972
| Curro
| unknown
| Some History & 1 Photo
| |
| FF
| 30th Dec 1972
| Geoff Spence
| unknown
| Some History & 1 Photo
| |
| TBA
| 17th Apr 1973
| D. Campbell
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| 1973
| L. Searle
| W. Clarke
| Some History & 1 Photo
| ||
| TBA
| B. Haehnle
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| ||
| FF
| K. Loy
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| ||
| FF
| Allison
| N. Farr
| Some History & 1 Photo
| ||
| FF
| C.W Meinkoff
| T. Boskovich
| Some History & No Photos
| ||
| FF
| C.W Meinkoff
| C. Lyford
| Some History & 1 Photo
| ||
| FF
| Oct 1973
| P. Rogers
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| Oct 1973
| R. Thackwell
| L. Don
| Some History & 4 Photos
| |
| FF
| Oct 1973
| Cook Motor Racing
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| Nov 1974?
| M. Trlyers
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| Jan 1975
| A. McAllister
| D. Spinks
| Good Race History & 6 Photos
| |
| FA
| Jan 1975
| Meinkoff (Canada)
| J. Keller
| Some History & 2 Photos
| |
| FA
| Jan 1975
| Meinkoff (Canada)
| T. Boskovich
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| Jan 1975
| S. Hooper
| Rex Hinds
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| FF
| Jan 1975
| S. Hooper
| Rex Hinds
| Some History & No Photos
| |
| F2
| 1975
| A. Whitchurch
| D. Wilkins
| Some History & 4 Photos
| |
| FF
| Mar 1975
| C. Cronin
| unknown
| Some History & No Photos
|
Noteworthy Race History
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| RACE | DRIVER | PLACE | TIME | YEAR | LAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Drawings[1]
All Bowin P6 drawings can be viewed and printed from the following location.
Formula Two Specification[2]
- CHASSIS: Spareframe built to full 2 litre specifications, alloy stressed panels and finished in stove enamel. Incorporating fully detachable rear crossbeam to facilitate engine maintenance with removal of engine and gearbox as one unit.
- BODY: Full aerodynamic wedge incorporating side radiators and self colour. Interior of cockpit covered in fully moulded seat and trim sections, giving and exceptionally comfortable and roomy cockpit.
- REAR SUSPENSION: Incorporating twin radius arms, parallel links, Armstrong adjustable dampers and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. Coil spring unit mounted inboard with "Bowin Variable Rate Spring Control"
- FRONT SUSPENSION: Double wide based wishbone design. Armstrong adjustable dampers and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. Coil spring unit mounted inboard with "Bowin Variable Rate Spring Control"
- STEERING: By special Bowin lightweight rack and pinion, with energy absorb and steering column. Leather covered steering wheel.
- BRAKES: 9-3/4 inch disc alloy caliper assemblies. Adjustable ratio balance control. Twin Braking system, adjustable for length. Rear Brakes mounted inboard on gearbox to reduce unsprung weight.
- DIMENSIONS: (Wheelbase 93inches), (Track - 61 Front & 63 Rear), (Weight - 822 lbs) Down to minimum weight with twin engine
- CLUTCH: Hydraulic system. Complete up to and including release mechanism on gearbox.
- WATER COOLING SYSTEM: By Twin cross flow lightweight side mounted radiators, the deaireator control tank and pressure cap.
- FUEL SYSTEM: Alloy tanks mounted mid-section of car for better weight distribution.
- ELECTRICAL: Lightweight aircraft battery, 12 volt. Starter solenoid, starter button and switches. Master battery control also fitted.
- INSTRUMENTS: 0-10000 tachomter, oil pressure, water and oil temperature.
- WHEELS: Mangnesium 10 inch x 13 inch front and 12 or 14 x 13 inch Rear.
- ENGINE MOUNTINGS: supplied
- FINISH: All suspension parts are in new Bowin satin finish, other parts cadium plated and stove enamelled. One tone body colour of customers choice.
- TRANSMISSION: Hewland FT2000 Five-speed and reverse. Alloy adaptor plate.
- OIL COOLING SYSTEM: Alloy oil tank, fitted with antisurge baffles and deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings. Alloy oil cooler.
- CONSTRUCTORS: Bowin Designs, 18 Consul Road, Brookvale, Sydney 2100 Tel: +612 9938 5433
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