GRR

Video: The brutal sound of a Formula Atlantic Chevron B39

16th January 2024
Simon Ostler

Formula Atlantic was one of those brilliant forms of motorsport that was gradually formed through the 1970s as an affordable entry into motorsport. In its early days, it ran as something of a competitor to Formula 3, with cars powered by production-based 1.6-litre twin-cam engines built by the likes of Alfa Romeo, Cosworth and Lotus.

After initially building traction in the UK, Formula Atlantic regulations were picked up in the US in 1974 and the series began to garner a larger reputation with television coverage and a growing list of famous drivers.

The likes of James Hunt, Riccardo Patrese, Patrick Depailler, Jaques Laffite and Didier Pironi were all involved in Formula Atlantic racing during the late 1970s, but this car being driven in this video was once piloted by 1982 F1 world champion Keke Rosberg.

While nothing like the F1 cars of the time in terms of power and performance, they certainly sound savage from inside the cockpit.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Corvette obliterates Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit

  • Elevenses

  • Video

  • Formula Atlantic

  • Thunderhill

  • Onboard

  • Race

  • Historic

Goodwood Revival Racing Experience

2025 DATES NOW LIVE
https://www.goodwood.com/globalassets/hero-videos/experiences/motor-circuit/goodwood-revival-racing-online-video-cutter.com.mp4
elevenses-formula-atlantic-thunderhill-onboard.jpg

Historic

Video: The brutal sound of a Formula Atlantic Chevron B39

16th January

elevenses LMP2 car Donington.jpg

Historic

Video: This LMP2 car only ever raced once but laps Donington in under a minute

18th September

elevenses-depailler-long-beach-main.jpg

Formula 1

Video: This Patrick Depailler onboard at Long Beach is wild

05th July 2022

elevenses-b192-onboard-sound.jpg

Formula 1

Video: Brutal onboard sounds of a 1992 F1 car

14th November 2022

march-f1-monza-onboard-elevenses.jpg

Formula 1

Video: Six minutes of howling '70s V8 heaven onboard

30th September 2020

onboard-a1gp-team-brazil-2009-elevenses.jpg

Formula 1

Video: An onboard lap of the bonkers Portimao circuit

23rd October 2020

Elevenses Toro Rosso Assen POV.jpg

Formula 1

Video: F1 at Assen: Is this the ultimate F1 onboard?

26th August

elevenses-porsche-996-gt3-rsr-spa-classic.jpg

Historic

Video: Incredible Porsche 996 GT3 RSR getting hammered around Spa

07th July 2022