Lola T332 1976 Rothmans Championship Oran Park Winner

The Lola T332 was designed by Eric Broadley and produced by Lola Cars for use in the Formula 5000 category. Eric Broadley was the founder and chief designer of Lola Cars, he was one of the most influential race car designers of the post-war period and responsible for designing several high-profile projects for Indycar, Formula One and Lemans.
The car was based on the T330 which for its time was the fastest car in Formula 5000, dominating the US 1973 season. Refinement of the T330 made the T322 the perfect race car and with its introduction the T332 won the UK series in 74, the US series in 74, 75 and 76 and the Tasman series in 75.

The International Series was born from the cancellation of the Tasman Series which was discontinued in 1975. The series was held during February over four circuits; Oran Park, Adelaide International, Sandown and Surfers Paradise (with the later being washed out).
Initially there were 28 entries for the first round at Oran park, but many of the cars had not made it to the track, with 13 cars starting the race, and only 7 finishing. The starting grid saw
a range of entries with several different models of Lola, Matich, Elfin, March and McLaren.
Practice was difficult for the drivers as the circuit was dirty and slippery. Quickest was Bruce Allison in a Lola with Graeme Lawrence in second and Vern Schuppan settling for third position.
Although rain had fallen on the track earlier in the day it was clear for the start of the race,
with all cars on the grid fitted with slicks. A hectic start was to become even more difficult as rain began to fall on the fifth lap. Schuppan was having a tough race with his Lola down on power and suffering a slowly deflating rear tyre, which forced him into the pits on lap 26.
By lap 35 the race had slowed as the rain was now becoming much heavier. First in for wet weather tyres was Schuppan on lap 37. After the lengthy pit stop he was back on the track and lapping 10 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Several drivers elected to stay out on slicks hoping that the rain would be a passing shower, including the then leader Allison. By lap 53 Schuppan had caught up to and passed the leader Allison as he had just crashed into a barrier.
In the wet the Lola’s lack of power was no longer a disadvantage. With the Theodore Racing Team concerned about the fuel level on the Lola, Schuppan was able to cross the finish line in first position, with Bartlett 16.5s behind in second place.

Item includes certificate and production number plate, mounted to the chassis.