The Kuzma F1 team, founded by Eddie Kuzma in the United States, carved out a unique niche in F1 history. Active in the FIA World Championship from 1951 through to 1960, Kuzma participated exclusively in the Indianapolis 500, reflecting a time when the iconic race was part of the Formula 1 calendar. The team’s most notable achievement came in 1952, when Troy Ruttman drove a Kuzma car to victory at the Indianapolis 500.
Notable Team Members and Drivers
Eddie Sachs: Eddie Sachs, known as the “Clown Prince of Racing,” drove Kuzma cars in the Indianapolis 500. He was a well-known figure in American open-wheel racing during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Jim Rathmann: Rathmann competed in the Indianapolis 500 driving Kuzma-built cars, including his memorable battle for a win in the 1960 race, where he finished second.
Eddie Kuzma (Founder and Designer): Eddie Kuzma was the founder of the company that built the Kuzma cars.
Throughout its decade-long presence in Formula 1, Kuzma showcased consistent performance at the Indianapolis 500, participating in ten seasons. The team’s cars made ten race starts, and apart from the victory in 1952, they achieved a best starting position of 2nd once and secured podium finishes on three occasions. This success was remarkable for a team that focused solely on the Indianapolis 500.
Kuzma fielded 23 drivers over the years, highlighting the team’s role in providing a platform for numerous talents to compete. Despite not achieving pole positions or fastest laps, Kuzma cars finished in the points on five occasions and 24 points in the championship. The best championship position achieved by a driver for Kuzma was 7th. Their last race at the Indianapolis 500 came in 1960, with Duane Carter driving and finishing 12th.
Kuzma Formula One World Championship Records
| First entry | 1951 Indianapolis Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Races entered | 10 |
| Constructors’ Championships | 0 |
| Drivers’ Championships | 0 |
| Race victories | 1 |
| Podiums | 3 |
| Points | 24 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Final entry | 1960 Indianapolis Grand Prix |
Championship Indianapolis 500 results as builder
| Season | Driver | Grid | Classification | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Walt Faulkner | 14 | Ret | Engine | |
| 1952 | Troy Ruttman | 7 | 1 | 8 | |
| 1953 | Tony Bettenhausen | 6 | 9 | Accident | |
| Manny Ayulo | 4 | 13 | Engine | ||
| Bob Sweikert | 29 | Ret | Suspension | ||
| Pat Flaherty | 24 | Ret | Accident | ||
| Chuck Stevenson | 16 | Ret | Fuel Leak | ||
| 1954 | Jimmy Bryan | 3 | 2 | 6 | |
| Chuck Stevenson | 5 | 12 | |||
| Manny Ayulo | 22 | 13 | |||
| 1955 | Johnny Thomson | 33 | 4 | 3 | |
| Duane Carter | 18 | 11 | |||
| Jimmy Bryan | 11 | Ret | Fuel Pump | ||
| Rodger Ward | 30 | Ret | Accident | ||
| 1956 | Bob Sweikert | 10 | 6 | ||
| Gene Hartley | 22 | 11 | |||
| Eddie Johnson | 32 | 15 | |||
| Billy Garrett | 29 | 16 | |||
| Jimmy Bryan | 19 | 19 | |||
| Johnny Thomson | 18 | Ret | Spun Off | ||
| 1957 | Jimmy Bryan | 15 | 3 | 4 | |
| Johnny Thomson | 11 | 12 | |||
| Chuck Weyant | 25 | 14 | |||
| Eddie Sachs | 2 | Ret | Fuel Leak | ||
| 1958 | Johnnie Tolan | 30 | 13 | ||
| Dempsey Wilson | 32 | Ret | Fire | ||
| A. J. Foyt | 12 | Ret | Spun Off | ||
| Eddie Sachs | 18 | Ret | Transmission | ||
| Art Bisch | 28 | Ret | Accident | ||
| 1959 | A. J. Foyt | 17 | 10 | ||
| Gene Hartley | 9 | 11 | |||
| Eddie Sachs | 2 | Ret | Spun Off | ||
| Al Keller | 28 | Ret | Engine | ||
| Bill Cheesbourg | 30 | Ret | Magneto | ||
| 1960 | Duane Carter | 27 | 12 |