Paxton Sierras and Robbie Francevic

[Terry S]

I received as a Xmas present a book titled “Bathurst: celebrating 75 years of racing at Mount Panorama”, with an author I have never heard of.

Rather than just do lap by lap reports, it also tries to cover stories around/behind the racing.
Some of these are very interesting, but one made me have doubts as to validity.

This concerns the story of the Paxton Ford Sierras on pages 197 & 198, and the 1988 season.

1… “Ian Paxton was a successful businessman who owned a wet suit company called Ocean One on Sydney northern beaches. Paxton was passionate about the business that had made him a fortune”
He had a love for motor racing, and decided at start of 1988 to buy and run two Group A touring cars.
“Paxton had warmed to the driver Robbie Francevic” and the two with some others went to Germany to buy Sierras from Wolf Racing. “They bought two cars, six engines, 32 wheels, gearboxes and the rest but also four staff to come to Sydney and teach local crews about the Sierras.” That lot would have cost a motza.
Does anyone recall anything of Ian Paxton or Ocean One, as I don’t recall ever hearing of him?
Who looked after the cars for him, as they were very high tech for the time?

2… “At Paxton’s cost he allowed Francevic to run the cars a couple of times at races in Australia with no sponsorship. However although the cars were strong they did not get the results”.
Paxton shelved his plans to run a team.
I can’t recall Francevic running these cars in 1988, can anyone?

3… “Paxton ended up offloading the cars without realising his dream”
Does anyone know what became of these cars?
Wolf Racing Sierras were known for sailing close to the wind on legality, so surely there would have been some news about them.

4… From my other records I note that Francevic raced at 1988 Bathurst 1000 in a Sierra entered by Wolf Racing but owned by Mark Petch, and sponsored by Whittakers Peanut Slab.
This car was flown out from Germany just days before the race, had very few spares, and I believe was not one of the Paxton cars.

5….The author confuses Wolf Racing with the Walter Wolf Racing Formula 1 team, two very different operations I contend.
Walter Wolf Racing was owned by a Walter Wolf, a Slovenian-Austrian-Canadian businessman. He was a Canadian oil drilling equipment supplier who in the early 1970’s made a fortune from the North Sea oil business. He became interested in formula 1 and ran a team from 1975 to 1979. With lack of success he grew tired of motor racing and sold the complete team at the end of 1979 to Emerson Fittipaldi. He was a swashbuckling character who is currently wanted by Interpol for an arms related bribery scandal that helped bring down the Slovenian Government. For more info see under Google “Who is Walter Wolf and why is he wanted?” It’s fascinating reading.
Wolf Racing is also owned by a Walter Wolf, but a very different person.
Wolf is a very common German surname, like Smith or Jones used to be here.
He was a German mechanic who started in 1979 in a small barn and began to develop and deploy complete racing cars and engines, under the name HWRT Tuning. He progressed to a Ford dealership in small town of Neuenstein (pop 6,000) in south west Germany. He became the official agent for Ford Cologne racing products. In 1986 the business was renamed “Wolf Racing” and continues in business to today, producing some very nice Ford Focus with upgraded turbochargers. The official name of the business is “Wolf Racing Neuenstein GmbH”.

The author states “Wolf had to come up with a solution to the team’s future after kissing Grand Prix Racing goodbye. What followed was a transformation that would have had a car-rebirthing gang doing cartwheels. Wolf entered into touring car racing and became Ford Germany’s factory operation building and racing Sierras.”
I contend that this is incorrect and the two operations are not related.

Would greatly appreciate thoughts on these points, as they have me puzzled.

Terry

[conrod]

I am with you on that one Terry, I have never heard of the guy, nor do I remember or know of two Wolf cars going to Australia! The reason I read this thread is that I thought "what the hell is a Paxton Sierra?"

A bit of a google search threw this up, so maybe there is some truth to the story:

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103035&page=5

This is also useful, it appears they may have both gone to Longhurst:

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2476901&postcount=15


I am fairly sure that Mark Petch bought the "Slab" Sierra directly from Wolf. I think I have discussed this with him some time ago. I know Mark Petch had an absolute truckload of spares with the Wolf Sierra, and he used some of these to convert an old Eggenberger XR4Ti into an RS500, as they are essentially the same bodyshell.

[Malcolm McLeod]

Yes Robbie did compete in at least one round, there were a number of irregularities found at scruitineering, however he was allowed to run.
I believe that the cars were bought by Benson and Hedges Racing eventually.

[Frosty5]

Hi Guys, I crewed for Petch during this time so will try and fill in some of the gaps as far as memory allows.
Terry-Point #1: Paxton's name was bandied about during this time. I had not heard of him up until this point but believe he kept a low profile. He certainly was the man with the money but just how far he was involved in motorsport I am not sure. I think "Croakey Chricton" had some involvement with him but stand corrected if need be.
Point #2:Pretty much correct, although I am sure Robbie was peddling Petch's M3 in the early stages of '88.
Point #3:Don't recall
Point #4:Not sure about delivery. The car had to be painted and decalled. Brancatelli was driving with Robbie in this race ('88) This was when the RHF wheel let go after exiting Skyline.
Point #5: You are correct. The 2 operations are not related. WW and son ran the Sierra operation in Germany and am unsure if it still operates today. The son may have taken it over but am unsure on that. WW would be a very old man now.
Hope this helps but bear in mind this was some 25 odd years ago and the memory ain't what it used to be.

Cheers
Dave Graham

[Powder]

Yes Robbie did compete in at least one round, there were a number of irregularities found at scruitineering, however he was allowed to run.
I believe that the cars were bought by Benson and Hedges Racing eventually.

That pretty much sums it up.
Here's how Auto Action reported the cars through 1988:

Mar 18: Robbie Francevic to head a two car Wolf Sierra team. The second car to be driven by ‘co-Kiwi’ Mark Jennings.

Apr 1: First Wolf Sierra airfreighted to Australia with a second coming by sea.

Apr 15: Report on Francevic’s appearance in a Paxton Sierra at ATCC Round 3, Winton, April 10.
Qualified 10th, the slowest of the Sierras. DNF with gear selection problems on lap 47 of 50.
Questions were asked about the legality of the inner rear guards, suspension, rear hatch, engine bay, steering column, seat position…. CAMS were assured that this was just the way Ford made Sierras now days and nothing to worry about. They Jury was out.

Apr 29: Ford was unable to provide paperwork to satisfy the CAMS officials that the Paxton Sierra was legal. Wolf Racing was reluctant to modify the car when identical cars were racing in UK & Europe without questions over their legality.

Jun 24: Robbie Francevic was attempting to buy one of the Paxton Sierras.

Jul 8: Robbie Francevic said he will be at Bathurst in a Wolf Sierra, but not one owned by Ian Paxton. Mark Petch would be supplying the car.

Aug 19: Warwick Rooklyn and Mike Quinn were expected to race a Paxton Sierra in the Pepsi 250 at Oran Park (Aug 28). (The entry didn’t eventuate).

Sep 16: $69k of tools and spares were stolen from Bob Steven’s Sydney workshop where Paxton’s Sierras were stored, including a gearbox that was CUT from one of the cars.

Dec 23: Tony Longhurst buys the two Paxton cars for himself and Neville Crichton to race in 1989.
One car had raced just once. The second car unused. Longhurst said they would be selling their Bathurst winning RHD car. Keeping a newer LHD Sierra that they’d built in 1988 meant the team had three cars to use in 1989.

[Terry S]

That pretty much sums it up.
Here's how Auto Action reported the cars through 1988:

Mar 18: Robbie Francevic to head a two car Wolf Sierra team. The second car to be driven by ‘co-Kiwi’ Mark Jennings.

Apr 1: First Wolf Sierra airfreighted to Australia with a second coming by sea.

Apr 15: Report on Francevic’s appearance in a Paxton Sierra at ATCC Round 3, Winton, April 10.
Qualified 10th, the slowest of the Sierras. DNF with gear selection problems on lap 47 of 50.
Questions were asked about the legality of the inner rear guards, suspension, rear hatch, engine bay, steering column, seat position…. CAMS were assured that this was just the way Ford made Sierras now days and nothing to worry about. They Jury was out.

Apr 29: Ford was unable to provide paperwork to satisfy the CAMS officials that the Paxton Sierra was legal. Wolf Racing was reluctant to modify the car when identical cars were racing in UK & Europe without questions over their legality.

Jun 24: Robbie Francevic was attempting to buy one of the Paxton Sierras.

Jul 8: Robbie Francevic said he will be at Bathurst in a Wolf Sierra, but not one owned by Ian Paxton. Mark Petch would be supplying the car.

Aug 19: Warwick Rooklyn and Mike Quinn were expected to race a Paxton Sierra in the Pepsi 250 at Oran Park (Aug 28). (The entry didn’t eventuate).

Sep 16: $69k of tools and spares were stolen from Bob Steven’s Sydney workshop where Paxton’s Sierras were stored, including a gearbox that was CUT from one of the cars.

Dec 23: Tony Longhurst buys the two Paxton cars for himself and Neville Crichton to race in 1989.
One car had raced just once. The second car unused. Longhurst said they would be selling their Bathurst winning RHD car. Keeping a newer LHD Sierra that they’d built in 1988 meant the team had three cars to use in 1989.

Thanks for that Powder. I would have read all that at the time, but sadly after 25 years couldn't remember.
I guess because of rare appearances and dismal results they did not register strongly on the brain.
I have all the Australian mags from that period, but didn't have time to search. Marvellous what forum members can throw up.

Tell me, did you have to search through all 1988 Auto Actions, or do you have them catelogued?

[Powder]

Tell me, did you have to search through all 1988 Auto Actions, or do you have them catelogued?

I quickly skimmed through the 1988 issues so I may have missed something. The last article I read, regarding Longhurst buying the cars, did specify that only one of the cars had done just one race. So I don't think I missed any other race appearances.

[Terry S]

Hi Guys, I crewed for Petch during this time so will try and fill in some of the gaps as far as memory allows.
Terry-Point #1: Paxton's name was bandied about during this time. I had not heard of him up until this point but believe he kept a low profile. He certainly was the man with the money but just how far he was involved in motorsport I am not sure. I think "Croakey Chricton" had some involvement with him but stand corrected if need be.
Point #2:Pretty much correct, although I am sure Robbie was peddling Petch's M3 in the early stages of '88.
Point #3:Don't recall
Point #4:Not sure about delivery. The car had to be painted and decalled. Brancatelli was driving with Robbie in this race ('88) This was when the RHF wheel let go after exiting Skyline.
Point #5: You are correct. The 2 operations are not related. WW and son ran the Sierra operation in Germany and am unsure if it still operates today. The son may have taken it over but am unsure on that. WW would be a very old man now.
Hope this helps but bear in mind this was some 25 odd years ago and the memory ain't what it used to be.

Cheers
Dave Graham

Thanks Dave
I know we are talking about 25 years ago but just to put the record straight, it was in 1989 and not 1988 that Francevic teamed with Gianfranco Brancatelli. The car started from position 15 and Brancatelli had it up to 3rd when the RHF wheel let go (as you note) on
lap 14 and car was retired. Francevic did not get to drive.
In 1988 Francevic was teamed with Armin Hahne (who had won with Goss in 1985). The car retired on lap 103.

The Woff Racing operation still continues presumably with descendants.
Their website is http://www.wolf-racing.de
The site is in German, but in the section under Wolf Racing titled "wof racing historie" I have had the system translate it as follows (with very jerky English)
This is first half as too long for forum rules.
WOLF Racing has successfully operated in the 70s, 80s and 90s motorsport, built many Ford factory team and achieved numerous successes. The WOLF constructed, well-known racing cars based Sierra Cosworth Escort RS and Focus RS were milestones - and extremely popular with motorsport fans. More than 30 victories and 100 podium finishes prove their impressive performance. And the WOLF Racing spirit lives in the now finished vehicles consistently.

Beginning of the Professional Motorsport in 1979, Walter Wolf started his own business in a small barn and began professionally build and deploy complete racing engines and racing cars. At that time still under the name HWRT tuning. Very quickly, successes, so that the Ford works were attentive to the young emerging companies and Walter Wolf roofed with first work orders. So put HWRT in the years 1982 and 1983 for Ford Germany a Ford Escort RS1600I, also called RSI, the driver team Michael Werner / Matthias Feltz in the German Rally Championship in.

Entry into the DTM German Touring Car Championship dTmin the years 1984-1985 go to the Ford Motorsport department in Cologne rarely the lights. With high pressure is built on the vehicle and developed with the Ford wants to enter in the German Touring Car Championship. In 1985, it's time. Before the DTM race at the Berlin Avus Ford announces entry into the DTM, and HWRT Tuning gets the work order to perform the operation for the remaining runs for Ford. And what everyone has hoped, but no one thought possible, Klaus Niedzwiedz succeed the first victory in the DTM at the HWRT Ford Mercury XR4 TI on the Avus circuit in Berlin.

DTM and TourenwagenweltmeisterschaftIm 1986 was renamed Wolf Racing, which for nearly 25 years, is a distinctive symbol on the racetracks of the world in connection with the jumping wolf HWRT tuning as part of a new corporate identity. In 1986 the German Touring Car Championship and the World Touring Car Championship was contested by Europe, Wolf Racing. Since the year 1986 was marked by the change from the Ford Merkur XR4 Ti to the Ford Sierra Cosworth, there were only a few race highlights the flashed the potential. In addition, Wolf developed on the basis of the Ford Sierra Cosworth a grassroots vehicle for everyone, which in many national and international series by customer teams comes across Europe for use and retracts victories on almost all race and rally routes in the world

Wolf Racing continues this year, a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth RS one for the Ford works with the driver Armin Hahne in the DTM season 1988. Overall, Armin achieved 6 victories (including 2 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife) and achieved 3rd place in the drivers' standings. In addition, Wolf Racing wins the team competition of the DTM. Furthermore, the profit of the German Hill Climb Championship could be reached this year, as well as countless victories in the Benelux, France, Spain, Scandinavia, Italy and Austria. In addition, the 2 Achieved place in the European Hill Climb Championship.

The main use of Wolf Racing is once again in the DTM. With big ambitions, the season starts in 1989. But a serious accident on the N-Ring ended the season for Armin Hahne, replacement is hard to find, but with Alain Ferte an ideal replacement is found. He even manages the feat as the Nordschleife newcomer to dupe the entire competition, and won in convincing style, both barrels in the "Green Hell". Besides, more big hits in the books by Wolf Racing:- Ford Sierra Cosworth- 3 victory in the DTM season 1989- Group N: victory at the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring- Victory at the Nürburgring Endurance Cup in several runs- Victory in the European Championship- Victory in the Austrian Touring Car Championship- Victory in several runs in the Benelux countries, Italy and Scandinavia etc.

After the withdrawal of Ford in the DTM series, Wolf shifted his area of ​​responsibility in the more popular sports. In those two years WOLF-Racing has been very successful in national as well as international touring car and circuit championships with the Ford Sierra Cosworth. Among other things, many were confident of victory in the German Touring Car Trophy and the Austrian Touring Car Championship, won, first with the Sierra, and later with the legendary Escort Cosworth

[Terry S]

2 nd half of Wolf Racing History

In 1992, Wolf Racing employs a variety of Cossie in the DTT (German Touring Car Trophy a) For participants Fields of more than 40 vehicles, it is possible to win Rüdiger Schmitt on the Cossie the championship, a great success for the driver and the team. In addition, Stefan Schlesack wins on a wolf Cossie the runner-up in the German Rally Championship. Internationally Wolf is very successful. On behalf of Ford Spain Wolf supports the use of a Sierra Cosworth in the Spanish Touring Car Championship. Carlos Palau wins the runner-up on the Wolf Cossie, only a defective distributor prevented at the last race for overall victory. Below again a small list of the achievements in 1992

In 1993, the Wolf Escort Cosworth comes to the international race tracks, both the Wolf's team uses the vehicle in the German and Austrian Touring Car Championship, many client teams throughout Europe can be the Cossie for Gr. N or Gr. A remodel and him are successfully using. Here is an extract from the success story: - Win the German Touring Car Trophy- Victory in the German Rally Championship- Victory in the European Hill Climb Championship- Runner-up in the Austrian circuit racing and rally championship- Victory in Greek Touring Car Championship

Ford returns 1994 factory in motorsports back. With the Ford Mondeo prepared after the Super Touring Car Regulations also sets a Wolf Racing a Ford Mondeo STW in the German Supertourenwagencup. In the first year of entry, Wolf Racing achieved the 5th place in the overall standings (best Frontriebler in the field) and reached number 8 in the unofficial world championship in Donnington. In addition, again manages a number of victories with the wolf Cossie: 5th Place in the Super Tourenwagen Cup, best front-wheel drive in the field8 Place in the World Final at Donington1 Place in the Austrian Touring Car Championship

In 1995, Wolf Racing developed on the basis of the Ford Mondeo a wheel for the Super Touring Car Cup. Aufgrund the shortness of time and various other problems, the Project will, however, quickly duplicated. Therefore, in the STW Cup a disappointing year for Wolf and Wolf contrast, Ford Racing wins in Austria places 1 + 2 in the World Touring Car Championship with the Escort Cossie. A small compensation In 1996, Wolf Racing resumes in the ADAC GT-part in the small division. In the final course 2 + 4 are in the standings to beech, a great success for Wolf Team Ford Escort Cosworth GT / Place 2 and 4 in the ADAC GT Cup / 1st place in the Greek Touring Car Championship / support teams in the Russian and Italian Touring Car Championship

In 1997 the Wolf's team has a lot to do. There are reinstated 2 Ford Escort Cosworth GT in the ADAC GT Championship, beyond Wolf developed a Ford Escort RS2000 by DTC rules. With participants fields of over 40 vehicles here developed a new very professional amateur sports championship. Wolf wins right off the bat with Michael Funke the runner-up in the debut year of Wolf Ford Escort Cosworth Ford Escort GT and RS 2000 DTC- Place 2 and 4 in the ADAC GT Cup- Runner-up in the German Touring Car Challenge- Support to teams in the Russian-Italian Touring Car Championship

WOLF Racing was commissioned by the Ford works a Ford Focus after the DTC / develop Super Production regulations. It was designed and built both chassis and engine at WOLF-Racing. In the 1999 season were used in the DTC from the WOLF Racing 2 Ford Focus. Michael Funke finished third in debut year went straight to 3 Place overall.

WOLF Racing received from the Ford works the job all in the season 2000, Ford Focus DTC build racecars. Again, were used in the German Touring Car Challenge 2 Ford Focus from WOLF Racing. Michael Funke took 3rd place in the overall standings

WOLF-Racing is in this season again 2 Ford Focus in the German Touring Car Challenge a. Only by a point deduction of 29 points in the first race loses Michael Funke the overall standings and is 9 points behind runner-up of DTC. Also in these years, vehicles in the DTC and later in the ADAC Procar be used successfully. In addition, Wolf serves a large number of customer teams from Russia, England, France, and Luxembourg

Due to a realignment of the business policy not own any vehicles in these years used but customer cars built in Germany and Europe, maintained and further developed.

[Steve Holmes]

Fascinating story. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Terry.

Just out of interest, in the 1970s there was a sort of kidney bean style mag wheel on the market in the UK and Europe (and possibly other places too) called Wolf Racing wheels. Were these any relation?

[Powder]

Fascinating story. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Terry.

Just out of interest, in the 1970s there was a sort of kidney bean style mag wheel on the market in the UK and Europe (and possibly other places too) called Wolf Racing wheels. Were these any relation?

You might be thinking of Wolfrace wheels. They're a UK company and still around.

Here's one on a picnic.

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