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BP British Formula 3 Championship Race

Donington Park, 27 Aug 1977

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Brett Riley March 773 [10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#21 David Price Racing (see note 1)
32 38m 17.50s
157.944 mph
2 Eje Elgh Chevron B38 [38.77.10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#2 Chevron Racing Team
32 38m 18.99s
3 Derek Daly Chevron B38 [38.77.07] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#3 Derek MacMahon Racing
32 38m 20.46s
4 Piercarlo Ghinzani March 773 [15] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#23 AFMP Euroracing with March
32 38m 24.18s
5 Geoff Brabham Ralt RT1/76 [29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#11 Brabham Racing Organisation
(see note 2)
32 38m 24.43s
6 Nelson Piquet Ralt RT1/77 [63] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#43 Scuderia Mirabella Mille Miglia
32 38m 25.94s
7 Stephen South March 773 [T1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#19 Team BP
32 38m 28.94s
8 Anders Olofsson Ralt RT1/77 [56] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#84 Puss o Kram Jeans Racing (see note 3)
32 38m 31.16s
9 Thorkild Thyrring Chevron B38 [38.77.18] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#1 Chevron Racing Team (see note 4)
32 38m 32.42s
10 Tiff Needell March 773 [763-9] - Triumph Dolomite Holbay 4
#31 Unipart Racing Team (see note 5)
32 38m 42.05s
11 Stefan Johansson Argo JM1 [003-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#73 Anglia Cars
32 38m 50.16s
12 Patrick Gaillard Chevron B38 [37.77.21] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#7 (see note 6)
32 38m 51.77s
13 Jean-Louis Schlesser Chevron B34/B38 [34-76-24 (B)] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#99 KWS Freizeit Team (see note 7)
32 38m 59.14s
14 Bertram Schäfer Ralt RT1/77 [49] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#14 Klaus Zimmermann Racing
32 38m 59.79s
15 Paul Bernasconi Ralt RT1/76 [22] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#12
31
16 Fernando Jorge Ralt RT1/77 [82] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#58 Equipe Persico Pizzamiglio
31 38m 21.22s
17 Tommy 'Slim' Borgudd Ralt RT1/77 [37] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#78
31 38m 34.72s
18 Beppe Gabbiani Chevron B38 [38.77.29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#76 Trivellato Racing Team (see note 8)
31 38m 36.09s
19 Jan Lammers Hawke DL16 [1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#36 Hawke Racing Cars
28
20 James King March 773 [U2] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#28 March Racing (see note 9)
28
R John Stokes Chevron B38 [38.77.25] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#62 Bogarts Racing Birmingham (see note 10)
18
R Ian Flux Ralt RT1/76 [16] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#10 Okley Team Racing
10
R Ian Taylor March 773 [3] - Triumph Dolomite Holbay 4
#30 Unipart Racing Team (see note 11)
5
UNK Derek Warwick Ralt RT1/77 [86] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#6 Warwick Trailers

DNQH Huub Rothengatter March 763 [11] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#33
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Armin Conrad Ralt RT1/75 [3] - BMW M10 Heidegger
#47 SAR
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Aryon Cornelsen Filho March 773 [13] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#35 March Racing (see note 12)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Don Farthing Ralt RT1/76 [18] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#15
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Jorge Koechlin Argo JM1 [005-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#63 Anglia Cars
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH John Bright Wheatcroft R18 [006?] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#51 (see note 13)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Daniele Albertin Ralt RT1/77 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#97 PEG Pordenone Corse
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Philippe Colonna Chevron B38 [38.77.24] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#59 Alan Docking Racing (see note 14)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Mario Pati Ralt RT1/77 [77] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#22 Automovel Clube Paulista
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Ian Grob Chevron B38 [38.77.19] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#4 Alan Docking Racing (see note 15)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Luis Canomanuel Ralt RT1/77 [57] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#64 Equipo Nacional Espanol
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Rüdi Gygax Argo JM1 [001-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#74 Anglia Cars
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Nigel Mansell Puma 773 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#50 McKechnie Racing
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Alan Smith Chevron B38 [38.77.27] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#98 KWS Freizeit Team (see note 16)
Did not qualify from heats
DNS Juan Villaceros Ralt RT1/77 [58] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#65 Equipo Nacional Espanol
Did not start
DNS John Nielsen Ralt RT1/77 [51] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#9 Vojens Boligcenter (see note 17)
Did not start
DNA Chris Farrell Chevron B38 [38.77.02] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#5 (see note 18)
Did not arrive
DNA TBA Ralt RT1 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#8 David Mills
Did not arrive
DNA Phil Silverstone Ralt RT1/77 [54] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#16
Did not arrive
DNA Les Duncan March 753 [9] - Ford twin cam Neil Brown
#20
Did not arrive
DNA Mario Ferraris March 773 [U1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#29 March Racing (see note 19)
Did not arrive
DNA Nils-Åke Carlborg Ralt RT1/76 [14] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#39 Aneby Hus Racing
Did not arrive
DNA Richard Morgan Anson SA2 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#48 Anson Racing
Did not arrive
DNA George Aposkitis Lola T570 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#55
Did not arrive
DNA Giordano Regazzoni March 753 [U22] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#60 (see note 20)
Did not arrive
DNA Håkan Alriksson Ralt RT1/76 [20] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#68 National Racing Team
Did not arrive
DNA Elio de Angelis Ralt RT1/77 [76] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#70
Did not arrive
DNA Luciano Arnold March 763 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#71 Silvio Moser Racing
Did not arrive
DNA Artemio Rosich March 773 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#75
Did not arrive
DNA Jan Ridell March 753 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#77 Viso Pro Team
Did not arrive
DNA Paolo Bozzetto March 773 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#86 PEG Pordenone Corse
Did not arrive
DNA Ken Silverstone March 773 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#89
Did not arrive
DNA Ian Ashley Lola T570 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#91 Lola Cars Ld
Did not arrive
DNA Ole Vejlund Ralt RT1/76 [26] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#93 Eterna Olie
Did not arrive
DNA Quirin Bovy Ralt RT1/77 [40] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#95
Did not arrive

All cars are 2-litre F3 unless noted.

Qualifying
1 Eje Elgh (F3) 2-litre Chevron B38 [38.77.10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
2 Derek Daly (F3) 2-litre Chevron B38 [38.77.07] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
3 Brett Riley (F3) 2-litre March 773 [10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
4 Anders Olofsson (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [56] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
5 Derek Warwick (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [86] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
6 Nelson Piquet (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [63] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
7 Patrick Gaillard (F3) 2-litre Chevron B38 [37.77.21] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
8 Geoff Brabham (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/76 [29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
9 Ian Flux (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/76 [16] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
10 Beppe Gabbiani (F3) 2-litre Chevron B38 [38.77.29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
11 Tommy 'Slim' Borgudd (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [37] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor

Notes on the cars:

  1. March 773 [10] (Brett Riley): According to March records delivered in March 1977 to AFMP Euroracing, and subsequently given to Brett Riley in lieu of his contractual payments when the Euroracing set-up was dissolved. (This does not mean the car was Riley’s early season car in 1977; he used at least two before the team collapsed, neither of which were necessarily this car.) Run by David Price for Riley in the second half of 1977 and used to win the European round at Donington. Chassis number given in Autosport advert late in 1977 by Price. Sold to Roy Kennedy [Motoring News 2 Mar 1978 p15] although Autosport 9 Mar 1978 p41 says the car is ‘ex James King’. (King used a works car - 773-U2 - for most of 1977 but it is possible he had a race in this car early in the season, however his principal car went in 1978 to Ian Flux.) Run by Kennedy for Saed Ali Hodzic until Hodzic was injured in practice at the International Trophy support race; then became a rental car but did very few races. For sale by Kennedy in early 1979, Autosport 22 Feb 1979 p57, but retained and rented to Serge Saulnier for the 1979 race at Monaco.
  2. Ralt RT1/76 [29] (Geoff Brabham): Ralt records show as sold to Geoff Brabham in 1976, probably being delivered in early June. Used by him until the end of 1978 then sold to Ken Thorogood's Hub of the Universe Racing for Osamu Hatagawa to use in British races.
  3. Ralt RT1/77 [56] (Anders Olofsson): New to Anders Olofsson for 1977 according to Ralt records, and raced by him in European and Swedish F3 with backing from Puss o Kram Jeans. Retained by Olofsson for 1978, now as Strike Up Racing Team. To Pomeroy Racing Team for 1979, when it was raced by Olofsson and by Björn Ohlsson. Raced by Hans Edvinsson in 1980.
  4. Chevron B38 [38.77.18] (Thorkild Thyrring): New to Chevron Racing Team for Thorkild Thyrring to race in British F3 in 1977, entered by Marlboro Jockey Todenskjold. Borrowed by Jim Crawford for a race at Mallory Park in September, and by Divina Galica for a race at Thruxton. Raced by Crawford again at the start of 1978 but wrecked in an accident at Thruxton at the end of March. Salageable parts were used in a new Chevron B43.
  5. March 773 [763-9] (Tiff Needell): Shown in March records as sold to Tony Dron 12.1.76. This was the solitary Unipart car in 1976. Although Unipart ran two cars in 1977, they only bought one new car, converting the older car for Needell, the junior driver in the team. Some results credit Needell's car as being a 763.
  6. Chevron B38 [37.77.21] (Patrick Gaillard): New to Patrick Gaillard for British F3 in 1977. Sold to Jean-Louis Schlesser for European F3 in 1978, and run by him for KWS Motorsport. Sold to Bernard Birbés for French F3 and French hillclimbs (using a 1600cc Toyota engine) in 1979. To André Argeliès and run in French hillclimbs with a 1300cc Ford engine in 1981 and 1982. By 1987, this car had returned to England as was being raced in TF3 by Ian Jacobs.
  7. Chevron B34/B38 [34-76-24 (B)] (Jean-Louis Schlesser): Geoff Lees' Chevron B34 was rebuilt with a new monocoque near the end of the 1976 season, but as the earlier monocoque was rebuilt and reused, the car effectively divided. The car built on the new monocoque was sold to Jean-Louis Schlesser and run for him by KWS Freizeit Racing Team in European F3 in 1977. By mid-season, it had been updated with B38 bodywork.
  8. Chevron B38 [38.77.29] (Beppe Gabbiani): New to Trivellato Racing Team in June 1977 for Beppe Gabbiani to race in European and British F3.
  9. March 773 [U2] (James King): March works records show this as James King's works car for 1977 built on a lightweight tub AM773-41 with parts from 763-U2. This would be the "ex-King" car sold to Ian Flux early in 1978, and raced by him in the 1978 British F3 series.
  10. Chevron B38 [38.77.25] (John Stokes): New to John Stokes (Birmingham) and raced in British F3 in 1977, sponsored by Bogarts of Birmingham. Retained for 1978 and rented by Philippe Colonna for the Zolder F3 in Zolder after Colonna had wrecked his ex-Stephen South March at Zeltweg. Then raced again by Stokes until the end of August.
  11. March 773 [3] (Ian Taylor): March build records show sold to Unipart, 23 December 1976. Only one 773 is consigned to Unipart in the build records. Assumed that Taylor as senior driver would take the new car, a fact borne out by occasional references in 1977 to Needell being in a 763, the team's original car.
  12. March 773 [13] (Aryon Cornelsen Filho): Shown in March records as a works car finished February 1977, on tub AM773-28 for Ayron Cornelson Filho. Also used by David Kennedy in 1977. Sold to John Bright in March 1978 to cover for his damaged Wheatcroft. Damaged badly by Bright and rebuilt on new tub in August. Retained by Bright in 1979 until wrecked at Snetterton.
  13. Wheatcroft R18 [006?] (John Bright): Chassis 006 is believed to be the identity of the rebuilt car raced by John Bright (Leicester) in British Formula 3 following his massive accident at Cadwell Park in July 1977. Bright first drove the "rebuilt" car at Donington Park on the last day of July, and continued with it to the end of that season. He raced it again in 1978, but again crashed, at Brands Hatch in July, and this time the car did not reappear. Bright sold the R18 to Rhoddy Harvey-Bailey (Hilton, Derbyshire) and John Colley for 1979, and as part of the deal Bright rebuilt it to Formula Atlantic specification. It was raced by Harvey-Bailey, Colley and Ian Shaw, using Alan Smith BDA engines. It was also raced on one occasion by John Bright. It was advertised by Roger Cowman in September 1979 as "hardly used". Colley sold it to hillclimber Richard Barnes (Lichfield, Staffordshire), who fitted an 1100cc Cosworth BDJ and hillclimbed it for a while. He has retained the car in his collection since then.
  14. Chevron B38 [38.77.24] (Philippe Colonna): New to Alan Docking Racing for Philippe Colonna to race in British F3 in 1977. Retained by the Docking team for 1978, and raced by Philip Bullman and by Colonna in British F3. Unknown in 1979 but purchased by Eddie Heasell in early 1980 for British F3 and libre. Retained for libre in 1981.
  15. Chevron B38 [38.77.19] (Ian Grob): New to Alan Docking Racing for Ian Grob to race in British F3 in 1977, entered by KVG Racing. Retained by the Docking team for 1978, and probably the car driven by Huub Rothengatter in the last few months of the season. Unknown after 1979 until it reappeared with Jim Yardley in 1984. Later with David Proctor in 1987.
  16. Chevron B38 [38.77.27] (Alan Smith): New to KWS Autotechnik Team for Alan Smith to race in European, German and British F3 in 1977, run by KWS Motorsport. Despite having chassis number 77-27, this car also had a tub stamped 77-28. Retained by KWS Motorsport for 1978 as a hire car. Later in the season it was used by Helmut Bross in the German F3 series. According to Chris Townsend's research, it may have gone to Bross with his B43 in 1979, then probably to Albert Hamper (Bitburg) by 1981, then Manfred Hebben (Bitburg) to 1984.
  17. Ralt RT1/77 [51] (John Nielsen): New to VB Racing (Vojens Boligcenter) for 1977 and raced by Dane John Nielsen in F3 across Europe.
  18. Chevron B38 [38.77.02] (Chris Farrell): New to Chris Farrell for British F3 in 1977. To Barry Green for 1979, and run for him in British F3 by Fred Opert Racing. Last used by Green in July 1978, and then unknown until seen with Mike Brown in Sprints in 1984 …
  19. March 773 [U1] (Mario Ferraris): March works records show this as Mario Ferraris' works car for 1977 built on tub AM773-14 and rebuilt after Ferraris' Monaco accident on tub AM773-65. Sold in March 1978 to Neasrader Film Production for Richard Morgan according to the works records. Motoring News 30 Mar 1978 p11 says that Morgan's car is ex King, but we know from reports and the works records that King's main car was 773-U2. However, that car was damaged in the 1977 season and it is possible that King used 773-U1 after its rebuild as Ferraris' damaged wrist took longer to recover than the car did. Sold to John Bright in 1979 to replace his wrecked 773-13 and its identity eventually perhaps blurred with that car in a rebuild after a heavy accident.
  20. March 753 [U22] (Giordano Regazzoni): According to the March build records constructed in 1975 from discarded parts of works cars 753-U1 and 763-U1 for Giordano ‘Dodo’ Regazzoni. Probably used by the works drivers Nilsson and Ribeiro at Cadwell Park and the British GP support race in July 1975, with this car built as temporary replacement for Nilsson’s 753-U1 rolled at the Monza Lotteria in late June. Retained by Regazzoni into 1978. Motoring News 16 Mar 1978 p7 comments that Regazzoni is still using last year’s car.

Sources

Note that the identification of individual cars in these results is based on the material presented elsewhere in this site and may in some cases contradict the organisers' published results.

These British Formula 3 results have been compiled by Chris Townsend using the main British magazines Autosport and Motoring News but also the US magazine On Track which carried surprisingly good coverage of the British series.

All comments, clarifications, corrections and additions are most welcome. Please email Allen (allen@oldracingcars.com) if you can help in any way with our research.

Individual sources for this event

Programme provided by Adam Ferrington.