March schism

As rumoured at the turn of the year (Motor Sport, February 1989), the loss-making March Group has rationalised by selling off its Formula One team and Formula 3000 manufacturing division to Leyton House chairman Akira Akagi.

Akagi’s new Emblem BV company has paid more than £6-million for the two operations plus their 0.4-scale wind-tunnel, but the Japanese businessman has in turn sold his 20% shareholding in the Group.

March Group remains as a constructor of March Indycars (with development contracts with both Porsche and Alfa Romeo) and of Ralt Formula Three, Atlantic and Super Vee chassis, and as the parent company of composite materials manufacturer Comtec, under the chairmanship of John Cowen.