British Formula Atlantic 1983
As the MCD's attention was absorbed with their "flagship" British Open Championship, the remaining Formula Atlantic competitors turned to the BRDC and BRSCC and lobbied them to run a Formula Atlantic championship for 1983. Alo Lawler returned with the Ralt RT4/80 with which he had dominated 1982 and was joined by former Ehrlich driver Ian Flux in Duncan Bain's Abdex Racing Ralt RT4/81 and Trevor Templeton with his RT4/82. Nobody else got a look in.
It was very tight between the three Ralt drivers and all had a chance of the title going into the last race. Templeton took pole position but then buzzed his engine. By mid-distance, Flux seemed to be in charge but a misfire allowed Lawler to take the lead, and retain his title.
It was a last moment of drama for Formula Atlantic in Britain. There would be no championship in 1984.
The races
10 Apr 1983 > Silverstone
02 May 1983 > Silverstone
22 May 1983 > Donington Park
05 Jun 1983 > Silverstone
26 Jun 1983 > The Nova Trophy at Brands Hatch
23 Jul 1983 > Oulton Park
04 Sep 1983 > Silverstone
1983 British Formula Atlantic Championship table
| 1 | Alo Lawler | Ralt RT4/80 - Ford BDD | 77 pts | 3 wins |
| 2 | Ian Flux | Ralt RT4/81 - Ford BDD Swindon | 74 pts | 3 wins |
| 3 | Trevor Templeton | Ralt RT4/82 - Ford BDD Swindon | 68 pts | 1 win |
| 4 | Mike Catlow | Ralt RT1 - Ford BDA Racing Fabrications | 43 pts | |
| 5 | Neil Crang | Tiga FA82 - Ford BDD Alan Smith | 38 pts |
The points system was based on the traditional 9-6-4-3-2-1 system but added a point for fastest lap. To keep competitors from losing interest, additional points were given to each race starter on a rising scale, so 1 point for starting round 1, 2 for starting round 2, 3 for round 3 and so on.