1978 Dywa Grand Prix Series season
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| 1978 Dywa Grand Prix Series season | |
|---|---|
| Season | |
| Races | 10 |
| Start date | 2 April 1978 |
| Start Event |  Enna-Pergusa
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| End date | 17 September 1978 |
| End Event | Monza
|
| Awards | |
| Driver's Champion | Gabriella Mondadori
|
| Constructor's Champion |  Euskadi Lasterketa
|
| Seasons | |
| Previous season | Next season |
| Inaugural | 1979 |
The 1978 Dywa Grand Prix Series season was the inaugural season of the Dywa Grand Prix Series. All teams and drivers raced identical Dywa-001 chassis with Renzo DFV-2 3.0 V8 engines. Exactly how the previously tinpot Dywa Cars were able to put together the resources not only to supply dozens of vehicles, but also to arrange transport and race events at major European circuits is a question that perhaps should not be asked and in any case must not be answered directly.
The series featured drivers who already had or would go on to race in the Formula One World Championship such as Valentino Nicchi, Leonhard von Gottorp, Timo Fuchs and future 1991 WTCM World Champion Silvio Bachot, as well as many names known previously only to the anoraks who follow national Formula Ford racing. It has been described by motorsport historians as "the spiritual predecessor to the Life Grand Prix Series" for its low-cost cars and chaotic racing. Following a whirlwind of a season, Italian driver Gabriella Mondadori would emerge as the inaugural drivers' champion, while Basque outfit Euskadi Lasterketa won the Teams' Championship.
Teams and drivers
All teams and drivers raced identical Dywa-001 chassis with Renzo DFV-2 3.0 V8 engines.
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Driver Changes
- Stefano Spaghetti replaced Valentino Nicchi at Macchina Automobili Giorgio Armani after the first race.
- Kelby Rogerson sustained a career-ending broken back in the opening round at Enna-Pergusa. Seborgan driver Nino Pilia took his place at Scuderia Sighinolfi.
- Timo Fuchs sustained a sprained ankle at the second round at Imola. Uruguayan driver Javier Scarpetta would replace Fuchs at Scuderia del Made in Italy e dell'Emilia-Romagna for the following race in Rouen.
- Lena Troscchi sustained grave neck, leg, and back injuries in a violent collision with Luciano Sighinolfi at Rouen, ruling her out for the rest of the season. South Yemeni driver Hoji Imin would replace her.
- Leonhard von Gottorp departed from the series after Rouen. His place at Macchina Automobili Giorgio Armani was taken by Italian driver Marco Tortellini.
- The Earl of Sandwich departed Dickenson-Lightley after the race at Rouen. Eclectic Frenchman Jehan-Jacques Graves would take his place.
- Silvio Bachot departed Bambini di San Marino as part of the mass exodus of competent drivers after Rouen. Nino Pilia, left without a drive after Scuderia Sighinofli's withdrawal, would replace him.
- Johannes Gruber broke his arm at Syracuse and as a result, had to sit out the following two races. Nikolai Zorbin would fill in for these races.
- Txatxu Etxeberria sustained a broken ankle at Syracuse and missed the following three races. Javier Scarpetta substituted for him. Scarpetta's impressive performances during these races, where he became the highest-placed Euskadi Lasterketa driver in the standings, convinced the Basque outfit to keep him in the car for the final two races instead of Etxeberria.
- "Ouragan" sustained an injury at Castle Combe and missed the following round at Charade. Nikolai Zorbin stood in for him at Moza.
- Amada Castellón got a broken leg at Charade and missed the final race of the season. Sofia de Haro would stand in for Monza.
- Johannes Gruber also broke his leg at Charade and missed the final round at Monza. Soviet driver Yuri Komarov would fill his seat for the final race at Monza.
- Gerome Smith suffered a horrifying career-ending crash at Charade resulting in paralysis. Black Swan Racing lured Leonhard von Gottorp back for the finale at Monza.
- Jehan-Jacques Graves was dismissed by Dickenson-Lightley following an altercation in the paddock after the race at Charade. Charade race-winner Nikolai Zorbin would take his place at Monza.
Mid-Season Team Changes
- Scuderia Sighinolfi withdrew from the series after Rouen, following the career-changing injury sustained by Kelby Rogerson at Enna and Luciano Sighinolfi causing similarly-grave injuries to Great Leap Backward driver Lena Troscchi in a collision during the race at Rouen.
- Black Swan Racing would take over Scuderia Sighinolfi's entry from the Norisring onwards.
Season Calendar
Standings
Scoring System
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | PP | FLAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Drivers' Championship
All results counted towards the championship.
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Teams' Championship
All results by each team's cars counted towards the championship.
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