Early in 1977 the late Mike Needell reported on the shakedown run of a new Lola T440 imported to South Africa to contest the South African Formula Ford Championship in the hands of one Willy Learmonth. That was 48 years ago!
A youngster named Jody Scheckter won the Driver to Europe award driving an Lola T200 a few years earlier and Willy Learmonth drove the sister car. Tean Effort now stepped up a gear and they were going for the South African Championship as well as the Western Province Championship in 1977.
There was no lack of “effort” in the small but very competent Team Effort and they were rewarded with overall victory in the 1977 Western Province Championship and 4th overall in the South African Championship. Like the immaculate Renault R8 Gordini Team Effort could always pride themselves with superb preparation of their cars. Early in 1978 Willy Learmonth also made his Formula Atlantic debut at Killarney driving the second South Coast Motors Chevron of Tony Martin.
William Westbrooke Bruton “Willy” Learmonth (82) is survived by his loving wife, Frauke, (57 years together and 52 as husband and wife), brothers Rory and Sakkie, daughters Sandy and Kirsty and grandchildren William, Jonathan, Cameron and Madison.
And the immaculate Team Effort Lola T440 that is being cared for by Hamilton Goode.
Salute
7C Willy Learmonth – Renault R8 Gordini 
30 Willy Learmonth – Team Effort Lola T200 
19771015 FF 21 Willy Learmonth 33 Mike Needell 25 Jan Kriel 26 John Round 
20231021 Frauke and William Westbrooke Bruton – Willy – Learmonth 
20250623 William Westbrooke Bruton Learmonth – Team Effort Lola T440 
William Westbrooke Burton (Willy) Learmonth (1977 Formula Ford Champion) – Karen Kritzinger (Queen of the Motor Show 1977 – Ted Lanfear 
Willy Learmonth – Frauke Learmonth 
Willy Learmonth – Hennie Mostert
Published by: Patrick Vermaak
MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport. It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published. Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views.