After the nightmare start to the 1980 season for the Shadow team, by March the American team's technical management realized the failure of the DN11 project. The departure of designer John Gentry, who left Shadow for Toleman even before the car was assembled, delegating the development of the new vehicle to his deputies Richard Owen and Vic Morris, significantly contributed to the DN11’s failure.
SHADOW-THEODORE DN12, David Kennedy
Jarama, Spanish GP 1980
The financial intervention of Hong Kong magnate Teddy Yip, who was about to take over the entire Shadow structure, allowed Don Nichols to pursue the idea of building a completely new and different car. one far less similar to the Lotus 79-inspired DN11 and much more in line with the modern wing cars of the 1980s. Engineer Vic Morris remained in his role as technical director but was joined by newcomer Chuck Graeminger, who replaced Richard Owen.
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| SHADOW-THEODORE DN12, Geoff Lees Paul Ricard, French GP 1980 |
The two engineers quickly designed a single-seater with an extremely short wheelbase, a simple and streamlined design, the DN12. It featured an aluminum monocoque chassis housing a three-liter Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 engine, paired with a Hewland FGA 400 gearbox. As was standard in modern ground-effect cars, the engine served as a structural component, and the suspension used deformable quadrilaterals with inboard shock absorbers to optimize the aerodynamics beneath the car.
SHADOW-THEODORE DN12, Geoff Lees
Jarama, Spanish GP 1980
Although the DN12 was still seen as a Shadow, it could no longer be fully recognized as an American team’s car, as it was now under Theodore Yip’s control. The new car lost the classic black livery that had characterized all of ex-CIA agent Don Nichols' vehicles, switching instead to white, the color that would define Yip's cars. The team’s new name, Theodore-Shadow, appeared on the rounded nose and cockpit sides to mark the transition for the remainder of the season.
SHADOW-THEODORE DN12, Geoff Lees
Jarama, Spanish GP 1980
The DN12 debuted at Zolder with British driver Geoff Lees, but the results were no better than before. After yet another failure to qualify at Paul Ricard, where a second DN12 was also entrusted to young Irishman David Kennedy, Teddy Yip decided to withdraw from the remainder of the championship to fully focus on preparing for the 1981 season. The team would then abandon the Shadow name altogether and become Theodore Racing.
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