Token Racing, officially known as Token Racing Team, was a British Formula One constructor that competed in the 1974 Formula One World Championship. Despite high hopes, the team participated in only a handful of races before folding, and it remains a footnote in Formula One history. However, it is notable for being the debut team of Welsh driver Tom Pryce, who would go on to become a promising talent before his tragic death. Token Racing was founded in late 1973 by Tony Vlassopulos and Ken Grob—the team name being a portmanteau of their first names: TOny and KEN. The team was based in West Sussex, England, and operated with limited resources.
Their goal was to enter Formula One with a bespoke chassis and attempt to break into the sport during an era when privateer efforts still had some opportunity to compete against major manufacturers. The car, designated the Token RJ02, was designed by Ron Dennis and Ray Jessop, both of whom would later go on to achieve significant success in motorsport.
1974 Formula One Season[]
Token entered the 1974 Formula One season with a single chassis and competed in selected rounds rather than attempting a full campaign.
Token made its F1 debut at the 1974 Belgian Grand Prix with Tom Pryce. The team failed to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix, and although they did participate in a few other races, they were not competitive. Pryce showed flashes of potential but left the team mid-season to join Shadow Racing Cars, where he would have more competitive machinery.
Ian Ashley stepped in for the rest of Token’s short campaign. He attempted to qualify at the British Grand Prix and the German Grand Prix, but the team failed to make the grid in both appearances.
Demise and Legacy[]
The Token project was short-lived. With limited funding, no sponsorship, and poor results, the team folded before the end of the 1974 season. The RJ02 chassis was later sold and rebranded as a Safir, competing unsuccessfully in non-championship races and Formula Libre events.
While Token Racing was a brief and unsuccessful F1 venture, it served as the launching point for Tom Pryce's career and indirectly contributed to the development of future design talents like Ron Dennis and Ray Jessop.
Despite its extremely short tenure in Formula One, Token Racing is remembered largely due to its connection with Tom Pryce. Pryce's performance in the Token caught the attention of Shadow Racing Cars, leading to a more prominent F1 career.
Additionally, Ron Dennis’s early involvement in the project foreshadowed his later dominance in Formula One as team principal of McLaren.
Formula One Record[]
| Race No. | Grand Prix | Date | Driver | Chassis | Qualifying Position | Finish Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgian Grand Prix | 12 May 1974 | Tom Pryce | Token RJ02 | 20th | Retired (Lap 66) | Suspension failure after accident |
| 2 | Monaco Grand Prix | 26 May 1974 | Tom Pryce | Token RJ02 | DNQ | Did Not Qualify | Failed to qualify |
| 3 | British Grand Prix | 20 July 1974 | Ian Ashley | Token RJ02 | DNQ | Did Not Qualify | Failed to qualify |
| 4 | German Grand Prix | 4 Aug 1974 | Ian Ashley | Token RJ02 | DNQ | Did Not Qualify | Failed to qualify |
Formula One Summary[]
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | No. | Drivers | Rounds | WCC Points | WCC Pos. | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | RJ02 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | F | 32 |  Ian Ashley
|
11 | 0 | NC | Report |
| 35 | 12 | ||||||||
| 42 | Tom Pryce
|
5 | |||||||
| David Purley
|
10 |