Assetto Corsa: 1968 Honda RA301 at Mont Tremblant 69

After a mildly successful 1967, Lola continued to work with Honda on the RA301 for 1968, debuting for round 2 at Jarama. Known as the T180 at the Lola factory, the 301 was a typical design for 1968, with a tall rear wing and small front fins. The rear suspension was reworked to help handling, but the large V12 meant the Honda was still the heaviest car on the grid. Surtees was able to scrounge 3 points finishes over the course of the season, including a 2nd at France, but the car was decidedly average. Meanwhile, Honda developed the RA302, using a magnesium body to help alleviate the weight issue. John Surtees, knowing exactly what would happen when a car made of magnesium and full of exotic race fuel were to crash, refused to drive it. His teammate Jo Schlesser proved that point immediately, dying in a fiery explosion 2 laps into his F1 career. Not content to watch just one car burn into molten metal, Honda built a 2nd magnesium car, which Surtees refused to drive again. After a 3rd place from Surtees and a 5th from Jo Bonnier (both in the 301), the Honda team finished the 1968 season with 9 DNF's in 13 races, and announced they were leaving F1.
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[@gamesgonenuts]

awesome driving left a like

[@Villoresi]

Sort of a parallel I was reminded of this weekend with GTWC America at Sonoma. Of course, Mosport takes most of the air out of the room these days with regards to Canadian road courses, but I can't say that Mont Tremblant gives up anything to its more famous compatriot in terms of how spectacular and challenging it is. Similarly, Laguna Seca tends to get rather more attention, but especially in its 2.52-mile layout, Sears Point can be a real stunner, especially back before the works in 1998-02.

[@velocitaaa]

Such a fun and technical circuit to drive.

[@thesourceofthenile]

I've driven a lot of laps of this track with the RSS Formula 1970 with grooved tires and it's always an absolute blast. I can't believe that F1 used to drive here with how dangerous it used to be. I'll have to give this Honda a try at some point. How are the physics in comparison to the GPL pack cars?

[@Someguy1785]

There's way more grip because it's got a wing, lol.