Vernon “Vern” Schuppan

Vernon “Vern” Schuppan was born on 19 March 1943 in South Australia. Schuppan made his Macau Grand Prix debut in 1972, taking pole position a full 9 seconds clear of his closest challenger. Sadly, clutch problems at the start of the race put paid to any hopes of victory.

In 1974, Schuppan won the 21^st running of the Macau Grand Prix in Yip’s Theodore Racing March. Schuppan moved into the lead at the start ahead of Alan Jones, Rupert Keegan, David Purley and John Macdonald. However, Jones stormed into the lead at Statue Corner (now Lisboa Bend). Three laps into the race, misfortune struck as Jones’ engine died just after Maternity Bend and the field sped past. Jones was able to restart, re-joining at the back of the field and determined to reduce the gap to Schuppan who was now leading. On the penultimate lap a small error saw Schuppan overshoot at Lisboa Bend, he rejoined the race without losing the lead and took the victory. Schuppan returned to the Guia Circuit in 1975, and again in 1976 where he took a second victory this time in a Ralt RT1. 

This particular March 722 contested the Macau Grand Prix 10 times between 1972 and 1981, winning in 1974 with Schuppan at the wheel.