Van Diemen International was a powerhouse in chassis manufacturing using the original name for Tasmania when it was discovered during the 1600s.
Founded by Tasmanian Ross Ambrose and Ralph Firman in 1973, starting off in successful fashion by winning the BRDC Formula Ford 1600 Championship in its first design, the FA73, with Derek Lawrence solidifying its name as a leading constructor.
Further titles came through BRSCC Formula Ford title in 1974 and 1977 alongside the Scottish Formula Ford Championship in 1974, but major success came when the prestigious Formula Ford Festival was secured by Chico Serra.
Another major shift in the company was the acquiring of Group Racing Developments at the end of 1975 as Van Diemen moved into Formula 3.
This opened the door for Van Diemen to enter the British Formula 3 Championship, which at this stage was a key stepping stone towards competing in Formula 1.
Winning the BRSCC title and Formula Ford Festival in 1977 also came off the back of Duckhams Oil support, which lasted until the very end for Van Diemen.
Van Diemen dominated the 1980s as the best drivers including Roberto Moreno, Tommy Byrne, Jonathan Palmer, Ayrton Senna, Mauricio Gugelmin, Johnny Herbert, Roland Ratzemberger, Vincenzo Sospiri and Eddie Irvine.
Formula Ford competition was dominated by Van Diemen’s worldwide in addition to other ventures such as Formula Renault Eurocup, Formula Vauxhall Junior, a re-entry into Formula 3 and US F2000.
It won three British Formula Ford Championships in a row to kick off the new millennium before being bought by US sportscar luminary Don Panoz in 2002 becoming part of his Elan Motorsport Technologies.
This left much of business in the US including Star Mazda, IMSA Lites and Formula SCCA.
By the 2010s, the Van Diemen brand was retired leading to Ralph Firman Sr. founding a new race car constructor under his own name.