British Formula 3 1980
Three real talents contested the 1980 British F3 title, Stefan Johansson, Kenneth Acheson and Roberto Guerrero. Johannson started the year in a Marlboro Project Four March 803 and developed a points lead until Acheson swapped his 803 for an older and easier to drive 793 and became the man to beat. Guerrero then took up the chase in the works Argo JM6 and each had won five races by the season's July/August break. The momentum swung decisively when Johansson took delivery of a Ralt RT3 and swept the last four races, snatching the title by just two points from his two rivals.
Although the ground-effect RT3 had shown promise in 1979, none were raced in Britain at the start of the season and March 803s were numerically dominant. But the 803 was not as quick as the 793 and March's grip on Formula 3 was significantly weakened.
The races
02 Mar 1980 > Silverstone
09 Mar 1980 > Thruxton
30 Mar 1980 > Brands Hatch
07 Apr 1980 > Thruxton
20 Apr 1980 > Silverstone
27 Apr 1980 > Howitt Printing Trophy at Donington Park
06 May 1980 > Thruxton
11 May 1980 > Snetterton
18 May 1980 > Monaco GP F3 Race at Monte Carlo
26 May 1980 > Silverstone
01 Jun 1980 > Cadwell Park
08 Jun 1980 > Silverstone
29 Jun 1980 > Brands Hatch
06 Jul 1980 > Silverstone
13 Jul 1980 > Brands Hatch
20 Jul 1980 > Oulton Park
25 Aug 1980 > Silverstone
07 Sep 1980 > Bradford & Bingley Trophy at Silverstone
14 Sep 1980 > Leinster Trophy at Mondello Park
28 Sep 1980 > Mallory Park
05 Oct 1980 > Silverstone
18 Oct 1980 > Oulton Park
26 Oct 1980 > Thruxton
08 Nov 1980 > Wendy Wools Formula 3 Race at Thruxton
Championship events shown in bold
1980 Vandervell F3 Championship table
| 1 | Stefan Johansson | Project Four March 803 & Ralt RT3/80 | 97 pts | 6 wins |
| 2 | Kenneth Acheson | Murray Taylor RMC March 803 & March 793 | 95 pts | 5 wins |
| 3 | Roberto Guerrero | Anglia Cars Argo JM6 | 95 pts | 5 wins |
| 4 | Thierry Tassin | Anglia Cars Argo JM6 | 59 pts | 2 wins |
| 5 | Rob Wilson | SW Racing Ralt RT3/80 | 40 pts |
Points table from Autosport 20 November 1980 p32.
The other championship races were won by Brett Riley (March 793) and Mike White (Bob Gerard March 803). The televised Thruxton race at the end of the year was won by Wilson.
Almost everyone used Toyota engines but Dave Price Racing and the works March team tried Alfa Romeo engines in March 803s. A Titan-built Chevrolet Vega was used in another 803 and an old Triumph Dolomite engine appeared in an older March.
