Team story
Origins
A dispute between Ensign and its Dutch sponsor HB Bewaking led to Boro's creation. Bob and Rody Hoogenboom gained ownership of the Ensign N175 and decided to race it themselves. The first syllables of their names formed the new designation, while the car was catalogued as the Boro 001.
The Formula 1 journey
Larry Perkins made his Boro debut at Jarama in 1976, where he is listed thirteenth, and took eighth at Zolder in the following race. The other attempts brought no points. In 1977, Brian Henton resumed the programme: he was disqualified in the Dutch Grand Prix and failed to qualify at Monza, the team's final meeting.
Historical timeline
Three chapters in the story of Boro
Three episodes to revisit the people, cars and races that shaped this journey.
First appearance · Spanish Grand Prix
Larry Perkins · Spanish Grand Prix 1976. The recorded position is P13; this number alone does not show whether the driver completed the race distance. This is the first recorded race start, or the first entry if the team never started a race.
Sporting landmark · Belgian Grand Prix
Larry Perkins · Belgian Grand Prix 1976. The recorded position is P8; this number alone does not show whether the driver completed the race distance. This marks the first win or podium where one exists, otherwise the highest recorded placing for this constructor.
Latest recorded appearance · Dutch Grand Prix
Brian Henton · Dutch Grand Prix 1977. The recorded outcome is DSQ. This is the last race start attributed to this constructor in the archive, not necessarily the end of the organisation behind it.
A distinctive way of racing
At Bovenkerk, the Hoogenbooms prepared and modified a car built by Ensign, retaining its Cosworth DFV. The constructor's creation therefore did not involve designing an entirely new chassis. The operation relied on that car and the direct management of a sponsor turned owner, without replacing Morris Nunn's entire Ensign team.
What remains
Henton had been disqualified at Zandvoort for receiving a push after a spin. The subsequent Monza attempt ended Boro's career, without points in six starts from eight entries. Ensign, meanwhile, continued racing: the transfer of the N175 to the Hoogenbooms had not signalled the end of Nunn's team.