Patrick Morgan’s Dawn Treader Company has just completed a full restoration of the ex-Ivan Capelli, Leyton House, March CG891 Judd, chassis #03. The 1989 Formula One challenger, resplendent in its original racing livery, was wheeled out at Sywell Airport, Northampton, for these first pictures.
This was Adrian Newey’s second Formula One design for the team and a development of the very successful 881. The narrow-angled Judd V-8 engine was no match for the turbo-engined cars of the major teams, but curiously when running the car suited the faster circuits. The promise shown by March, the previous season, soon evaporated as the races went by right from the day it first made its debut at the 1989 Monaco GP; many of these due to setup, handling, and transmission. However, on its fourth outing, at the French GP, it did have a David and Goliath battle with Senna’s McLaren when Capelli pushed to take 2nd place on lap 42. Unfortunately, he had to retire 2 laps later with a blown engine. Teammate Mauricio Gugelmin had made a spectacular start to the race when he caught the back of both Boutsen’s and Mansell’s cars. With his car airborne, Gugelmin barrel-rolled into the first corner where it came to rest. Fortunately, he suffered no serious injury—just dented pride, and a very broken car.
By Mike Jiggle
