The RAM Racing Team was founded in 1975 by Mike Ralph and John Macdonald, from whose initials the team's name was derived. In the late '70s, they managed several privately entered cars and participated in various Formula 1 Grands Prix, though without notable success. After a few seasons in lower racing categories, RAM returned quietly to Formula 1, managing the comeback of Robin Herd’s March Grand Prix Team.
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| RAM-MARCH, Jean-Louis Schlesser Brands Hatch, Race of Champions 1983 |
Following two disappointing seasons in 1981 and 1982, March Grand Prix decided to withdraw from F1 as a constructor. Simultaneously, RAM chose to take a step forward and become a constructor itself, leveraging the March infrastructure. Thus, the RAM Automotive March team was born, debuting in the 1983 season with the RAM-March 01 single-seater, designed by Dave Kelly and built in the March workshops.
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| RAM-MARCH 01, Eliseo Salazar Spa-Francorschamps, Belgian GP 1983 |
The 01 was essentially the 1982 March 821, originally designed by Adrian Reynard and reworked by Kelly to comply with the new aerodynamic regulations, which primarily required a flat bottom and banned ground effect. It retained the aluminum monocoque chassis and mechanical components of the March 821, featuring the classic Ford-Cosworth V8 engine and Hewland FGA gearbox, a wheelbase of 2692 mm, Pirelli tires, and revised aerodynamics including a squarer nose and significantly shorter, boxy sidepods, giving the car an unappealing look.
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| RAM-MARCH 01, Kenny Acheson Hockenheimring, German GP 1983 |
Only in the second half of the season, starting from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, was the car significantly updated, featuring shorter V-shaped sidepods similar to those of the Brabham, and a drastic weight reduction to 540 kg.
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| RAM-MARCH 01, Kenny Acheson Silverstone, British GP 1983 |
RAM’s main driver was Chilean Eliseo Salazar, who secured a promising 14th place in the season opener in Brazil at Jacarepaguá. However, subsequent failures to qualify led to frequent driver changes, with Jean-Louis Schlesser, Jacques Villeneuve Sr., and Kenny Acheson taking turns in the 01, none of whom managed to qualify for Sunday’s races. Only in the season finale in South Africa at Kyalami did Acheson succeed, finishing 12th, RAM’s best result of 1983.
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