Rodney Chapman
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| Rodney Chapman | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  British |
| Born | 1940 (age 85–86) United Kingdom |
| Teams | The Rod Chapman Ford Cargo Racing Team |
| Championships | 1 (1985 European Truck Racing Champion - Class A) |
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Rodney J. "Rod" Chapman (born 1940) is a British former auto racing driver, team owner, and businessman. He is best known for becoming the inaugural champion of the European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) in 1985.[1] Prior to his success in heavy goods vehicle racing, Chapman was a prominent competitor in British and European rallycross during the 1970s.
Rallycross career
Chapman began his motorsport career in the 1970s, making a name for himself in the British Rallycross Championship. He was widely recognized as a Ford specialist, piloting highly competitive and tuned models such as the Ford Escort Twin Cam, RS1600, and the Mk2 RS1800. During this era, he competed against rallycross pioneers such as John Taylor, Trevor Hopkins, Franz Wurz, and Barry Lee. Chapman was noted for his fast, aggressive, and precise driving style on classic British mixed-surface circuits like Lydden Hill and Croft.
Truck racing career
Chapman transitioned to truck racing when the sport began gaining massive popularity in Europe in the early and mid-1980s. After witnessing an early truck race, he immediately fell in love with the sport. Utilizing his personal wealth, he invested heavily in developing a highly competitive Ford Cargo race truck.
In 1985, Chapman entered the newly established FIA European Truck Racing Championship. Driving his Ford Cargo, he dominated the Class A category (for trucks under 300 hp) and won the championship.[2] Furthermore, his overall points accumulation across the season earned him the unofficial title of "Champion of Champions," as he scored more points in his class than the champions of the more powerful Class B and Class C categories.
In 1986, he attempted to defend his title but suffered from mechanical unreliability. His Cummins-engined Ford Cargo experienced two major engine failures during the season—reportedly due to over-tuning the engine—and he finished as the runner-up in Class A behind fellow British driver Mel Lindsey.[3]
In 1987, Chapman continued his participation in the expanded nine-round European Truck Racing Championship. He was among the star drivers to compete in the inaugural Hungarocamion Truck Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in Hungary on May 16–17, 1987, entering the Havana Cigars Kupa for the under 300 hp category alongside rivals like Mel Lindsey and Eric Bacon.[4]
The Rod Chapman Ford Cargo Racing Team
Chapman was not only a driver but also a successful team owner. He established "The Rod Chapman Ford Cargo Racing Team," which claimed to be the most successful truck racing team in Europe during the late 1980s. The team built and prepared its own Ford Cargo race trucks powered by Cummins L10 engines.[5]
In 1988 and 1989, Chapman hired former Formula One driver and British Olympian Divina Galica to drive for the team. Galica achieved significant success, finishing second in both the European and British Championships in 1988 driving Chapman's top-tier Ford Cargo. The team operated with a highly professional infrastructure, utilizing custom-built Ford Cargo 1724 Sleeper Cab Roadtrains as race transporters and mobile workshops.[6]
Business and personal life
Outside of motorsport, Chapman is a wealthy businessman specializing in industrial property. He is the founder of Rodney J. Chapman Ltd., based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent (located on Chapman Way, North Farm Road). The financial success of his real estate business provided the substantial backing needed to run a top-tier privateer racing team.
During his active racing years, his wife Shirley was a popular and constant presence in the European truck racing paddock. Their team caravan served as a well-known hospitality center, where she famously hosted other drivers, mechanics, and guests.
Racing record
European Truck Racing Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Class | Team | Truck | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Pos. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Class A | Rod Chapman Racing | Ford Cargo | DEN 1 |
FRA 6 |
ITA 1 |
GBR 1 |
SWE 2 |
1st | 105 | ||||
| 1986 | Class A | Rod Chapman Racing | Ford Cargo | BEL 1 |
FRA 1 |
FRG 1 |
GBR 27 |
SWE 4 |
DEN 7 |
2nd | 97 | |||
| 1987 | Class A | The Rod Chapman Ford Cargo Racing Team | Ford Cargo | GBR ? |
HUN ? |
AUT ? |
FRA ? |
FRG ? |
GBR ? |
SWE ? |
DEN ? |
BEL ? |
? | ? |
See also
- European Truck Racing Championship
- Truck racing
References
- ↑ FIA European Truck Racing Championship Official Results and Points Standings, 1985 Season.
- ↑ FIA European Truck Racing Championship Official Results, 1985 Season Archive.
- ↑ FIA European Truck Racing Championship Official Points Standings, 1986.
- ↑ Official Program, I. Hungarocamion Truck Grand Prix, Hungaroring, May 16-17, 1987.
- ↑ Rodney J. Chapman Ltd. Official Press and Promotional Material, "The Rod Chapman Ford Cargo Racing Team".
- ↑ Rodney J. Chapman Ltd. Promotional Material and Specifications Sheet.
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