Token F1 Team
Tom Pryce, David Purley and Ian Ashley Drove British Formula 1 Car
Formula 1 teams appeared and disappeared with alarming regularity during the 1970s. Token was just such a team, appearing at only a handful of Grands Prix during 1974 before shutting down. At a time when the highly successful Ford DFV engine was easily available it became viable for many teams to try their hand at Formula 1. The Token was not an inherently bad car, but the team suffered from a lack of finance and testing.
Rondel F1 Project Becomes the Token
The Token RJ02 started life as a Rondel Racing project, designed by Ray Jessop for the team run by Ron Dennis and Neil Trundle. When backing from the French oil company Motul disappeared the project was sold on to businessmen Tony Vlassopulos and Ken Grob. Motul decided to switch its backing to the BRM team, which by that time was in its death throes. The Token was assembled on a tight budget and the finished item was transported in a converted furniture van.
Tom Pryce Drives in F1 for Token
In its original form the RJ02 had a curious appearance, missing a front wing, airbox and engine cover. The promising young Welsh driver Tom Pryce was recruited to drive the green and yellow car, both man and machine making their Formula 1 debuts at the 1974 non-championship International Trophy. Unsurprisingly, Pryce qualified the untested car slowest and retired from the race.
Token’s World Championship debut came at the 1974 Belgian Grand Prix, held on the Nivelles circuit. By this time the Token had gained a front wing, airbox and engine cover. Pryce did well, qualifying 20th. The car proved reliable in the race, until Pryce was eliminated in a collision with Jody Scheckter’s Tyrrell. It proved to be Pryce’s last appearance for the team. He was refused an entry for the Monaco Grand Prix because of his inexperience and left Token soon after, with the blessing of the team’s owners. Pryce went on to become one of the era’s best loved drivers, competing for the Shadow team before his tragic death in the 1977 South African Grand Prix.
David Purley Makes Token F1 Appearance
David Purley, the hero of Zandvoort in 1973, replaced Pryce in the car for the British Grand Prix. The Token had a new colour scheme, painted mainly white due to Purley bringing backing from a new sponsor, Bob Harper. Purley suffered problems in qualifying and did not make the grid. It was his only appearance in the car.
Ian Ashley Drives Token and Team Leaves F1
The next driver to accept a Token drive was Ian Ashley. Faced with tackling the Nurburgring without any practice he did well to qualify the car in last position. In the Grand Prix Ashley moved up the field, only to be thwarted by wheel problems which necessitated a lengthy pit-stop. Ashley drove the Token for the final time in Austria, qualifying 24th but finishing too far behind to be classified after more wheel problems. Vlassopulos and Grob then withdrew from Formula 1, although the RJ02 did re-appear in 1975, re-named a Safir and driven by Tony Trimmer in non-championship events.
Ian Ashley, Token F1, 1974
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