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Vandervell British Formula 3 Championship Race

Silverstone, 14 Jul 1979

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Mike Thackwell March 793 [1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#17 March Racing
20 29m 16.61s
120.18 mph
2 Chico Serra March 793 [20] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#13 Sadia Racing with Project 4
20 29m 22.53s
3 Kenneth Acheson March 793 [13] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#30 RMC Group
20 29m 22.99s
4 Roberto Guerrero Argo JM3 [021-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#45 Roldan Autos with Anglia Cars Ltd
20 29m 39.20s
5 Thierry Boutsen March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#44 Roger Heavens Racing
20 29m 52.89s
6 Nigel Mansell March 793 [2] - Triumph Dolomite 4
#15 Unipart Racing Team
20 29m 56.97s
7 Michael Roe Chevron B47 [47.79.02] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#4 David Clark Team Riva Watches
(see note 1)
20 29m 57.29s
8 Rob Wilson March 783 [5] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#29 Rushen Green Racing (see note 2)
20 30m 02.20s
9 John Bright Ralt RT1/78 [130] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#16 Racing Team Holland
20 30m 03.35s
10 Richard Dallest Martini MK27 [002] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#57 Ecurie Elf
20 30m 05.38s
11 Trevor Templeton Ralt RT1/78 [116] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#31 A. W. Brown Racing with Malcolm Templeton
20 30m 06.20s
12 Bernard Devaney Chevron B47 [47.79.07] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#1 Derek McMahon Racing with Chevron Cars
20
R Andrea de Cesaris March 793 [12] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#5 Marlboro Team Tiga
5 Fuel pump
R Eddie Jordan March 793 [18] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#3 Marlboro Racing with McMahon
Accident
R Brett Riley March 793 [15] - Triumph Dolomite 4
#14 Unipart Racing Team
Engine
R Mike Blanchet Lola T670 [HU1] - Chevrolet Vega Titan
#51 SDC Builders
1 Engine
R Fernando Jorge Ralt RT1/77 [82?] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#42 Fernando Jorge
Spun
R Simon Kirkby March 783 [23] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#69 Richard Dutton Racing
Accident
R Thorbjörn Carlsson Ralt RT1/76 [12] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#39 Torbjon Carlsson
Accident
R Alan Smith Chevron B47B [47.79.09] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#52 KWS Motorsport
Accident
R Damon Metrebian Martini MK21B [01] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#56 Ecurie Elf
Accident
R David Warner Chevron B47 [47.79.08] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#70 Richard Dutton Racing
Head gasket
DSQ Stefan Johansson March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#2 Marlboro Racing with McMahon
Passed Serra under yellow flag
UNK Alain Prost Martini MK27 [001] - Renault 20TS Dudot
#58 Ecurie Elf
19
UNK Eliseo Salazar Ralt RT3/79 [160] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#36 Schick Toyota Chilean Team

UNK Jorge Caton Ralt RT1/77 [57] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#8 Equipo Nacional Españal

UNK Hans-Georg Bürger Ralt RT3/79 [168] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#71 Bertram Schäfer Racing

UNK Tommy 'Slim' Borgudd Ralt RT1/78 [126] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#74 Strike Ten Racing Team

UNK Bengt Trägårdh Ralt RT1/78 [110] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#78 Meltonian

UNK Fermin Veléz March 783 [14] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#37 Equipo Nacional Español (see note 3)

UNK Georg Bellof Ralt RT1/78 [122] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#50 Bertram Schäfer Racing

UNK Bryce Wilson Ehrlich RP4 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#66 Dr J. Ehrlich

UNK Steve Malins Chevron B43 [43.78.20] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#72 Malins (Mamod) Ltd (see note 4)
19
UNK Tomas Kaiser Ralt RT1/78 [98] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#85 -

DNQH David Brotherston Chevron B34 [34-76-29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#11 David Brotherston (see note 5)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Ken Eady March 773/783 [773-3] - Triumph Dolomite 4
#18 RH Coachworks Ltd (see note 6)
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Wyatt Stanley Ralt RT1/78 [105] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#32 Wyatt Stanley
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Phil Silverstone Ralt RT1/77 [54] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#33 Welwyn Discount Tyres and Exhaust Centres
Did not qualify from heats
DNQH Rick Gorne Chevron B47 [47.79.10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#87 Richard Dutton Racing
Did not qualify from heats
DNS Michael Bleekemolen March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#26 Roger Heavens Racing
Did not start
DNS Placido Inglesias Ralt RT1/78 [131] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#38 Team Perdigao with RKR
Did not start
DNQ Osamu Hatagawa Ralt RT1/76 [29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#40 Hub of the Universe Racing (see note 7)
Did not qualify
DNQ Benoît Morand Chevron B38 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#55 Benoit Morand (see note 8)
Did not qualify
DNQ John Scannell Anson SA2 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#67 John Scannell
Did not qualify
DNQ Angelo Piccione Ralt RT1/76 [16] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#73 Roy Kennedy Racing
Did not qualify
  Paul Dalton Royale RP5 [1] - Ford twin cam
#12 Paul Dalton
On entry list
  Helmut Henzler March 793 [8] - VW Spiess
#21 Volkswagen Motorsport Spiess
On entry list
  Arie Luyendijk Argo JM3 [028-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#47 Marlboro-Racing Team Holland
On entry list
  Rob Leeuwenburg Argo JM3 [030-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#48 Marlboro-Racing Team Holland
On entry list
  Karl Schuchnig Chevron B47 [47.79.03] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#49 Marlboro-Racing Team Holland
On entry list
  Alain Hubert Lola T770 - Renault
#53 Danielson
On entry list
  Philippe Alliot Lola T770 - Renault 20TS Danielsson
#54 Danielson
On entry list
  Bernard Perroy Duqueine VG3 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#60 Ecurie Montesanto
On entry list
  David Leslie Ehrlich RP4 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#65 Dr Joseph Ehrlich
On entry list
  Mike O'Brien Ralt RT1 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#68 National Girobank
On entry list
  John Village Ralt RT1 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#75 John Village
On entry list
  Paul Morton Hawke DL14 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#76 Paul Morton
On entry list
  Jan Ridell Argo JM1 [003-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#77 Jan Ridell
On entry list
  Tryggve Grönvall Ralt RT1/78 [123] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#79 Trygve Groenvall
On entry list
  Willy T. Ribbs Ralt RT1 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#80 -
On entry list
  Jaap Luyendijk Ralt RT1 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#81 Jaap Luyendijk
On entry list
  Fredy Schnarwiler March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#82 -
On entry list
  Philippe Streiff Martini MK27 [003] - Renault 20TS Dudot
#84 Motul Nogaro Racing Team
On entry list
  Jean-Louis Bousquet Lola T660 - Renault
#86 Danielson
On entry list
  Herbert Hartge Ralt RT1/78 [138] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#88 Bertram Schäfer Racing
On entry list

All cars are 2-litre F3 unless noted.

Heat 1 Laps Time Speed
1Alan Smith1015m 16.69s115.14 mph
2Damon Metrebian1015m 24.72s
3Bryce Wilson1015m 35.70s
4David Warner1015m 44.00s
5Steve Malins1015m 44.18s
6Tomas Kaiser1015m 47.01s
7Wyatt Stanley10
8David Brotherston10
9Ken Eady10
10Phil Silverstone10
Rick Gorne10penalised 1 min
Qualifying
1 Mike Thackwell (F3) 2-litre March 793 [1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.07s
2 Chico Serra (F3) 2-litre March 793 [20] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.43s
3 Andrea de Cesaris (F3) 2-litre March 793 [12] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.45s
4 Kenneth Acheson (F3) 2-litre March 793 [13] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.75s
5 Stefan Johansson (F3) 2-litre March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.80s
6 Eddie Jordan (F3) 2-litre March 793 [18] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 27.91s
7 Brett Riley (F3) 2-litre March 793 [15] - Triumph Dolomite 4 1m 28.22s
8 Michael Roe (F3) 2-litre Chevron B47 [47.79.02] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.29s
9 Rob Wilson (F3) 2-litre March 783 [5] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.40s
10 Mike Blanchet (F3) 2-litre Lola T670 [HU1] - Chevrolet Vega Titan 1m 28.43s
11 Roberto Guerrero (F3) 2-litre Argo JM3 [021-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.45s
12 Fernando Jorge (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [82?] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.64s
13 Nigel Mansell (F3) 2-litre March 793 [2] - Triumph Dolomite 4 1m 28.67s
14 Alain Prost (F3) 2-litre Martini MK27 [001] - Renault 20TS Dudot 1m 28.74s
15 Eliseo Salazar (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/79 [160] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.78s
16 Bernard Devaney (F3) 2-litre Chevron B47 [47.79.07] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.81s
17 Trevor Templeton (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [116] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 28.98s
18 Thierry Boutsen (F3) 2-litre March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.00s
19 Richard Dallest (F3) 2-litre Martini MK27 [002] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.01s
20 Jorge Caton (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [57] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.56s
21 Hans-Georg Bürger (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/79 [168] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.56s
22 John Bright (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [130] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.59s
23 Michael Bleekemolen * (F3) 2-litre March 793 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.88s
24 Placido Inglesias * (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [131] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 29.91s
25 Simon Kirkby (F3) 2-litre March 783 [23] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 30.33s
26 Tommy 'Slim' Borgudd (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [126] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 30.46s
27 Thorbjörn Carlsson (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/76 [12] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 30.64s
28 Bengt Trägårdh (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [110] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 30.71s
29 Fermin Veléz (F3) 2-litre March 783 [14] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 30.96s
30 Georg Bellof (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [122] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.10s
31 Alan Smith (F3) 2-litre Chevron B47B [47.79.09] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.32s (qualified from heat)
32 Damon Metrebian (F3) 2-litre Martini MK21B [01] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.25s (qualified from heat)
33 Bryce Wilson (F3) 2-litre Ehrlich RP4 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.24s (qualified from heat)
34 David Warner (F3) 2-litre Chevron B47 [47.79.08] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 32.87s (qualified from heat)
35 Steve Malins (F3) 2-litre Chevron B43 [43.78.20] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 32.61s (qualified from heat)
36 Tomas Kaiser (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [98] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 32.76s (qualified from heat)
- Benoît Morand * (F3) 2-litre Chevron B38 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.28s
- Osamu Hatagawa * (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/76 [29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.84s
- Rick Gorne (F3) 2-litre Chevron B47 [47.79.10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 31.96s
- Wyatt Stanley (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [105] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 32.44s
- Phil Silverstone (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/77 [54] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 34.01s
- David Brotherston (F3) 2-litre Chevron B34 [34-76-29] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 34.13s
- Angelo Piccione * (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/76 [16] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 34.18s
- Ken Eady (F3) 2-litre March 773/783 [773-3] - Triumph Dolomite 4 1m 34.88s
- John Scannell * (F3) 2-litre Anson SA2 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1m 47.15s
 
* Did not start

Notes on the cars:

  1. Chevron B47 [47.79.02] (Michael Roe): New to Michael Roe and entered by David Clark Team Riva Watches for Roe to race in British F3 in 1979. Unknown in 1980. To Patrick Lecompte and raced in French F3 in 1981 and 1982. Later to Bernard Pourchet, and raced by him in the 1600cc class of French hillclimbs in 1984. Subsequent history unknown.
  2. March 783 [5] (Rob Wilson): Shown in March records for 1978 as delivered to Daniel Herregods, 19 January 1978, colour yellow with tub 78M25. To Rob Wilson in 1979 to replace his tiring Ralt RT1 and updated to 1979 specification. Autosport notes ‘ex Herregods’ and chassis number noted by F1R at Snetterton in August 1979. Sold to Gerry Amato for 1980 season, Autosport notes his car as ‘ex Wilson 1979’. Retained by Amato until 1982 then sold to Greg and Tim Atkinson.
  3. March 783 [14] (Fermin Veléz): Shown in March records for 1978 as delivered to Rushen Green Racing 14 April 1978, colour red, with tub 78M71. This is presumably the car used by Serra at Donington 30 April 1978, where Motoring News describes it as a new and unsorted chassis being readied for Monaco, and at Silverstone the following day where the Autosport report also describes it as new and used the day before at Donington. Sold to Fermin Velez for 1979, run by Brian Lewis Racing, with the chassis number observed by F1R at Snetterton in August 1979.
  4. Chevron B43 [43.78.20] (Steve Malins): New to Steve Malins to race in the British F3 series, replacing a Chevron B38 that was wreitten off in a testying accident at Donington in early May. He was sponsored by Malins (Mamod) Ltd. The car was rented from Malins by Bernard Devaney for two races. Malins retained the car for 1979, but was very rarely seen.
  5. Chevron B34 [34-76-29] (David Brotherston): New to Rupert Keegan in July 1976 and raced in the British F3 series with British Air Ferries sponsorship, winning three races and clinching the BP BARC title for Keegan. To David Brotherston (Edinburgh, Scotland) for 1978, and raced in the British F3 series. Brotherston continued to use the car in 1979 and 1980, again in British F3, after which he sold the car to Bob Howlings. Then to Bob Baxter (Saffron Walden, Essex) for Formule Libre towards the end of the 1981 season. Later to Alastair Ferguson, and used by him in TF3 in 1987. It was unused from the late 1990s until 2007, when Ferguson sold it to Hugh Price. Price had it completely rebuilt to Keegan's BAF livery with a view to racing it in the Classic F3 series in 2008. It was sold to Bruce Bartell in 2009, and raced by him in HSCC events, then by his son Maxim Bartell in Classic F3 from 2014 to 2017.
  6. March 773/783 [773-3] (Ken Eady): 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.
  7. Ralt RT1/76 [29] (Osamu Hatagawa): 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.
  8. Chevron B38 (Benoît Morand): Benoît Morand raced a Chevron B38 in Swiss F3 events in 1978, and then in British F3 in 1979. His car was nearly always described as a B38, and the few ocassions it was described as a B43 probably referred to it having been updated.

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

Entry list annotated with practice times kindly provided by Nigel Bland.