The Rennmax name was applied to a series of open wheel racing cars and sports racing cars constructed by Rennmax Engineering in Sydney, Australia between 1962 and 1978.[1] Rennmax Engineering was established by Bob Britton in 1961, its name derived from the German word "Renn", meaning race and the abbreviation "max", for maximum.[1]
Contents |
Although Rennmax cars are often referred to by model designations such as BN2, BN3 etc., Britton claimed that the origins of these were unknown to him and in practice he did not even stamp chassis numbers on his creations.[2] The following list utilises these unofficial model designations and also includes models which were built by Rennmax Engineering but raced under names other than Rennmax.
The first Rennmax chassis, built for Noel Hall in 1962, utilised numerous components from Hall's Cooper, including a 2.2 litre Coventry Climax engine.[2]
The Rennmax BN1 was a single seater racing car incorporating concepts from the Lotus 20 & Lotus 22 designs.[3] At least 6 examples were built circa 1962-1964.[3]
The Rennmax Vee was a Formula Vee racing car produced in series for Greg Cusack and Bruce Burr.[4] Nine cars were built during 1965-66.[1] The cars were originally referred to as CBs but each example was later renamed to "Rennmax".[2]
The Mildren Maserati was a sports racing car built for Alec Mildren in 1965.[4] It was constructed in the style of the Lotus 23, utilised various components from a Cooper T51 and was powered by a 2.9 litre Maserati Type 61 engine.[4]
A series of replica Lotus 23 sports racing cars were constructed [4] in the mid 1960s.[2]
The Matich SR3 sports racing cars were constructed by Rennmax Engineering for Frank Matich.[2] Bob Britton then accompanied Matich to the United States when he competed in the 1967 Can-Am season.[2]
The Rennmax BN2 was a one-off single seater model, based on the Brabham BT14 and built for Max Stewart in February 1968.[5] It used a 1.5 litre Ford twin cam engine.[5]
The Mildren, based on the Brabham BT23, was produced for Alec Mildren in 1968.[6] Initially power by a 1.6 Alfa Romeo engine, it later used a Waggott powerplant.[6] Racing as the Mildren Waggott, the car was used by Max Stewart to win the 1969 Australian Formula 2 Championship, the 1970 Australian Formula 2 Championship and the 1971 Australian Drivers' Championship.
The Rennmax BN3 was an open wheeler design derived from the Brabham BT23-based Mildren.[6] Five examples were built between 1968 to 1971.[6]
A Rennmax sports racing car, powered by a 2 litre BMW engine, was built in 1970 for Doug Macarthur.[2] A second chassis was built the following year for Ray Hanger who also commissioned another example in 1982.[2] This model has been referred to as the Rennmax BN6 [7] although this designation has also been applied to an Australian Formula 2 car of 1974. (see Rennmax BN6 (Formula 2) below)
The Rennmax Repco was a one off sports racing car built for Lionel Ayers and powered by a 5 litre Repco V8 engine.[4]
The Rennmax BN6 was a one off prototype of the BN7 Australian Formula 2 car of 1974.[4] The BN6 designation has also been applied to the 1970-71 Rennmax sports racing car. (see Rennmax BN6 (Sports racing car) above).
The Rennmax BN7 was an Australian Formula 2 car of 1974, four of which were built.[1]
A second Formula Vee design was released in 1975.[1] Fourteen examples were built.[8]