11/01/2011
NEWS STORY
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Derek Gardner, designer of the iconic Tyrrell six-wheel GP car, has died.
The Englishman, who was a designer of advanced transmission systems, entered F1 in 1969 while working for Harry Ferguson Research on four-wheel drive systems for the French manufacturer Matra.
A meeting with Ken Tyrrell, who began the 1970 season with a March, led to Gardner secretly designing a purpose built chassis for the timber merchant turned F1 entrant.
The car, the Tyrrell 001, made its debut at the Canadian GP, sensationally taking pole at the first attempt, however, Jackie Stewart was to retire after just 31 laps with a broken stub axle. Following retirement in the two remaining races - Watkins Glen and Mexico City - Gardner and the team began developing the car which to take six wins and the title the following year.
In 1972, despite a strong effort from the British team, Emerson Fittipaldi was to take the title, though Stewart was to rack up another four wins.
The team enjoyed another strong season in 1973 with Stewart taking his third title. However, the year was marred, and the Constructors' Championship lost, when Tyrrell withdrew from the season-ending United States GP after Francois Cevert was killed during Saturday morning qualifying.
For 1974, Tyrrell had an all-new driver line-up, Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler, following Stewart's retirement from the sport in the aftermath of his teammate's death at Watkins Glen the previous year.
While Scheckter and Depailler enjoyed a certain amount of success, it was the introduction of the iconic 6-wheel P34 in 1976 for which Gardner will always be remembered. Retiring at its first appearance, next time out (Zolder) Scheckter was to finish fourth. The South African and his French teammate finished second and third in Monaco before taking a sensational 1-2 at Anderstorp.
Without warning, in the middle of 1977, Gardner walked away from F1 to become the head the engineering and research division Borg-Warner, taking time out in later years to design boats and microlites.