Erik Zakowski, a name unknown to most, is a very important figure in German motorsport, being the founder of the Zakspeed team. Born in East Germany in 1934, he managed to flee westward with his family during the war, settling in Niederzissen. It was in this town that, after graduating and spending several years as an apprentice, Erik founded his workshop-atelier, "Zakowski-Tuning Niederzissen."
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| ZAKSPEED 841, private tests 1984 |
Since its founding in 1968, the small workshop focused on preparing touring cars for competition, taking advantage of Zakowski’s uncommon skill in engine development. He mainly worked with Ford, preparing the Capri and Escort models and winning several editions of the German DRM championship, precursor to today’s DTM, between 1973 and 1976. With the spread of turbo engines in the early '80s, Ford decided to launch a turbo engine development program for Formula One. Zakspeed, with its long-standing collaboration with the company, hoped to become the technical partner for the venture.
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| ZAKSPEED 841 private tests 1984 |
Zakowski and his collaborators began developing a turbo engine based on a 1.5-liter Ford BDA from the early '70s. However, when Ford chose to entrust the project to historic engine builder Cosworth, Zakowski didn’t lose heart and decided to continue with the project despite losing Ford’s financial support. Thanks to sponsorship from tobacco brand West, Zakspeed secured the funding needed to realize its dream and make the leap into Formula 1 as a constructor for the 1985 season.
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| ZAKSPEED 841 private tests 1984 |
The first appearances of the Zakspeed 841 took place in 1984 with driver Manfred Winkelhock, who already had Formula 1 experience and was thus a valuable asset in fine-tuning the new car. Designed by Paul Brown, it featured a carbon monocoque chassis and was powered by Zakspeed’s own engine: the 1500/4 turbo, a 1495cc inline-4 rated at 800 horsepower, designed by Norbert Kreyer and derived from the Ford 1500 turbo engine used in American racing.
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