VIN: the Gulf Racing Mirage M2 chassis 02
History of chassis 02
Chassis 02 was one of three Group 6 Mirage M2s built to contest the 1969 World Sportscar Championship.
Two were BRM-powered with ZF gearboxes while the other car initially ran a GT40 engine until a Cosworth DFV and Hewland gearbox became available.
All three M2s started life as Berlinettas. The Cosworth-engined variant was then reconfigured as an M3 Spyder after one race.
The M2 was commissioned by John Wyer Automotive Engineering (JWAE) to replace the firm’s Gulf Oil-backed Mirage M1 that had been ruled obsolete by a three-litre engine limit imposed for 1968. JWAE subsequently ran Group 4 GT40s in 1968 (and won the World Championship), but work soon began on the new three-litre Group 6 Prototype for 1969.
Raced just twice, chassis 02 was the first BRM-powered M2 completed and made its debut at the Brands Hatch 6 Hours on April 13th.
Driven by Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver, the still relatively unsorted machine qualified eleventh. It retired with a broken half shaft after a couple of hours.
02 had run as high as seventh overall, but was considered underpowered and overweight.
Chassis 02 was then present for the M2’s next outing, the Spa 1000km, where it was joined by a second BRM-powered example (chassis 03). Ickx and Oliver would again share 02 while David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood pedalled the new car.
With all three practice days held in wet conditions, rain master Ickx was able to qualify 02 on the front row with second fastest time.
Race day was dry.
After quickly dropping to fifth with fuel starvation, Ickx had to stop for a new fuel pump which cost five laps. The Belgian ace only managed another half lap before he was forced to stop out on the circuit.
02 was subsequently retired from active duty as attention turned to the Cosworth-powered variant.
By late September of 1969, the Group 6 Mirage project was abandoned as Porsche contracted JWAE to run their 917 programme for 1970 and 1971.
Both the BRM-powered M2s were sold to Jo Siffert.
Notable History
John Wyer Automotive Engineering (Gulf Racing)
13/04/1969 WSC Brands Hatch 6 Hours (J. Ickx / J. Oliver) DNF (#51)
11/05/1969 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Ickx / J. Oliver) DNF (#1)
Sold to Jo Siffert, Switzerland
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Gulf Oil - https://www.gulfoilltd.com/
