Birrana
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motor racing, Mechanical engineering |
| Founded | 1972 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Founder | Tony Alcock, Malcolm Ramsay |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; assets sold to John Holmes |
| Successor | Birrana (1990s racing team), Team Dynamik |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
Area served | Australia, Malaysia (Rothmans Series) |
Key people | Malcolm Ramsay, Tony Alcock |
| Products | Open-wheel race cars (Formula Ford, Formula 2, Formula 3), Speedcar S74, Holden Kingswood HQ (touring car) |
| Owner | Malcolm Ramsay (original), later John Holmes (assets) |
Birrana identifies two distinct motor racing entities connected to South Australian driver and engineer Malcolm Ramsay. From 1971 through 1978, Birrana produced competitive open-wheel race cars under its own marque and also built a Holden Kingswood HQ for Ramsay’s involvement in Group C Improved Production Touring Cars.
During the 1990s, Ramsay brought back the Birrana name by campaigning Reynard Motorsport-constructed Formula 3000 chassis within the Australian Drivers' Championship. Birrana achieved dominance in the series, capturing championships with drivers such as Jason Bright, Paul Stokell, Rick Kelly, and Simon Wills, while also giving Mark Webber his first exposure to wings and slicks in open-wheel racing. As Formula Holden waned, Birrana shifted focus to V8 Supercar competition with Wills behind the wheel. Over time, Ramsay lessened his role as the team transitioned into Team Dynamik. Presently, Birrana functions as a mechanical engineering company catering to the mining sector.
Birrana Formula Ford
The inaugural Birrana was a Formula Ford car crafted in 1971 by Tony Alcock for John Goss. Alcock, a seasoned designer with experience at Elfin Sports Cars, Brabham, Cosworth, McLaren, and Cooper, selected the name "Birrana," derived from an Australian Aboriginal term meaning "throwing stick."
Birrana 272
The Birrana 272 was a monocoque chassis designed for Australian Formula 2 by Alcock in Adelaide specifically for Malcolm Ramsay. It secured victory in the Australian Formula 2 category during its debut at Sandown in the 1972 Australian Drivers' Championship. Subsequently sold to Peter Brock, it won the opening round of the 1973 Australian Formula 2 Championship with Leo Geoghegan at the wheel.
Birrana Racing Cars Pty Ltd
Established in late 1972 by Alcock and Ramsay, Birrana Racing Cars Pty Ltd operated from a repurposed service station in Adelaide and manufactured a total of sixteen racing vehicles.
Birrana F72
The first vehicle sold through Birrana Racing Cars was the Formula Ford F72, built in 1972 for Melbourne-based Steven Drewhurst.
Birrana 273
The 273 model was developed for Australian Formula 2 competition. Leo Geoghegan piloted a factory-supported 273 to claim the 1973 Australian Formula 2 Championship under the entry of Bob & Marj Brown. Graeme Crawford also secured the Australian Formula 2 title in 1976 driving a 273.
Peter Brock competed in an ex-Leo Geoghegan Birrana 273 during the 1973 Australian F2 Championship, achieving second place at Oran Park and sixth at Amaroo, alongside multiple wins in non-championship events. Brock campaigned the Birrana under "Team Brock" using initially a Ford engine before switching to a Hart power unit. Harry Firth, head of Holden Dealer Team, permitted Brock to race the Birrana to fulfill his aspirations in formula car racing.
Birrana F73
Designed as a Formula Ford car, the F73 was driven by Richard Carter who won the 1976 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series.
Birrana 274
Introduced as Birrana’s latest Australian Formula 2 contender for 1974, six units of the 274 were planned. Leo Geoghegan captured the 1974 Australian Formula 2 Championship driving a 274, followed by Geoff Brabham who won the title in 1975 behind the wheel of a 274.
Birrana 374
The Birrana 374 was an Australian-built Formula 3 vehicle, with only three examples manufactured, which went on to achieve notable success in racing events.
Birrana Racing Cars Pty Ltd ceased operations in 1974. Following this, Bob and Marj Brown transported two Birrana 273 chassis and driver Tony Alcock to the United Kingdom to participate in the 1975 Formula Atlantic championship. Alcock subsequently became part of Graham Hill’s Embassy Racing Formula One outfit but tragically lost his life in the same plane crash that claimed Hill and four other team members.
Birrana S74
The S74 was a speedcar featuring a mid-engine layout, specifically engineered for competition on the half-mile asphalt oval at Adelaide International Raceway.
Birrana A78
Constructed by Malcolm Ramsay utilizing components from the 273 and 274 models, the Birrana A78 took part in the 1978 Rothmans Series held in Malaysia. Ramsay achieved runner-up finishes at both the Penang Grand Prix and Selangor Grand Prix, placed third in the Malaysian Grand Prix, and was leading the series prior to its cancellation. This model marked the last to carry the Birrana name before being sold, along with all associated patterns, jigs, and dies, to John Holmes from Queensland.
References