OldRacingCars.com

Marlboro British Formula 3 Championship Race

Silverstone, 4 Oct 1981

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Raul Boesel Ralt RT3/81 [224] - Toyota 2T-G Mader
#8 Café do Brasil (see note 1)
20 28m 52.64s
121.84 mph
2 Dave Scott Ralt RT3/81 [250] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#16 Swift Caravans/Mint Engineering
(see note 2)
20 29m 22.68s
3 Thierry Tassin Ralt RT3/81 [237] - Toyota 2T-G Mader
#2 Neil Trundle Racing (see note 3)
20 29m 26.41s
4 Mike Blanchet Ralt RT3/80 [187] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#39 Roy Kennedy Racing (see note 4)
20 29m 26.93s
5 David Leslie Ralt RT3/81 [217] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#7 Eddie Jordan Racing (see note 5)
20 29m 36.87s
6 Claus Schinkel Ralt RT3/81 [222] - Toyota 2T-G Mader
#30 Neil Trundle Racing (see note 6)
20 29m 39.91s
7 Fred Krab Ralt RT3/80 [197] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#19 Dave Price Racing (see note 7)
20 29m 40.89s
8 Enrique Benamo Ralt RT3/81 [236] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#10 Rushen Green Racing Ltd (see note 8)
20 29m 42.89s
9 Ian Shaw Ralt RT3/81 [225] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#42 Ivens Lumar Group (see note 9)
20 29m 59.33s
10 Kees Nierop Ralt RT3/81 [226] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#36
20 30m 00.14s
11 Mike O'Brien Ralt RT3/80 [183] - Toyota 2T-G Hesketh
#13 (see note 10)
20 30m 03.73s
12 Simon Kirkby March 803B [803-2] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#43 Race Car Services
20 30m 16.90s
13 Cliff Hansen Ralt RT3/81 [221] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#6 Eurosports Management/Team Tiga
19
14 Mike White March 813 [1] - Alfa Romeo Novamotor
#1 Autowindscreens with March Engineering
19
15 Mike Dixon March 793 [10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#24 Tarry Racing
19
16 Paul Hutson Argo JM8 [053-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#21
19
17 Jeff Williams Ralt RT1/78 [105] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#41
18
R Richard Hurdwell March 803B - Toyota 2T-G
#44
2 burst tyre, accident
DSQ Jonathan Palmer Ralt RT3/80 [198] - Toyota 2T-G Mader
#12 West Surrey Engineering/Racing for Britain
(see note 11)
20 car too wide
DSQ Roberto Moreno Ralt RT3/81 [208] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#33 Barron Racing (see note 12)
20 car too wide
DNS Victor Rosso March 813 [6] - Toyota 2T-G
#38 Argentina Racing Team (see note 13)
Did not start
(engine)
DNS Tony Norton March 773 [3] - Triumph Dolomite 4
#32 PC Designs (see note 14)
Did not start
DNA James Weaver Tiga F381 [163] - Toyota 2T-G
#5 Eurosports Management/Team Tiga
Did not arrive
DNA Rick Whyman Pilbeam MP51 [1] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#22
Did not arrive
DNA David Sturdy Argo JM8 [055-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#34
Did not arrive
DNA Richard Trott Ralt RT3/81 [207] - Toyota 2T-G Nelson
#4 SW Racing (see note 15)
Did not arrive
DNA Gerry Amato Chevron B47 - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#28
Did not arrive
DNA Thorbjörn Carlsson Ralt RT3/81 [244] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#89
Did not arrive
DNA Tomas Kaiser Ralt RT3/81 [245] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor
#90
Did not arrive

All cars are 2-litre F3 unless noted.

Qualifying
1 Jonathan Palmer (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/80 [198] - Toyota 2T-G Mader 1.37.93
2 Roberto Moreno (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [208] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.38.48
3 Mike White (F3) 2-litre March 813 [1] - Alfa Romeo Novamotor 1.39.14
4 Raul Boesel (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [224] - Toyota 2T-G Mader 1.39.14
5 Thierry Tassin (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [237] - Toyota 2T-G Mader 1.39.29
6 Mike Blanchet (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/80 [187] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.39.51
7 Dave Scott (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [250] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.39.55
8 David Leslie (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [217] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.39.87
9 Enrique Benamo (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [236] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.39.99
10 Claus Schinkel (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [222] - Toyota 2T-G Mader 1.40.81
11 Fred Krab (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/80 [197] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.40.99
12 Ian Shaw (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [225] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.41.76
13 Kees Nierop (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [226] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.42.90
14 Mike O'Brien (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/80 [183] - Toyota 2T-G Hesketh 1.43.22
15 Simon Kirkby (F3) 2-litre March 803B [803-2] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.43.27
16 Cliff Hansen (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT3/81 [221] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.43.36
17 Victor Rosso * (F3) 2-litre March 813 [6] - Toyota 2T-G 1.44.79
18 Paul Hutson (F3) 2-litre Argo JM8 [053-F3] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.49.39
19 Mike Dixon (F3) 2-litre March 793 [10] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.53.18
20 Jeff Williams (F3) 2-litre Ralt RT1/78 [105] - Toyota 2T-G Novamotor 1.54.54
21 Tony Norton * (F3) 2-litre March 773 [3] - Triumph Dolomite 4 1.55.60
22 Richard Hurdwell (F3) 2-litre March 803B - Toyota 2T-G 1.57.90
 
* Did not start

Notes on the cars:

  1. Ralt RT3/81 [224] (Raul Boesel): Sold new 9 Apr 1981 to Murray Taylor Racing. Used as spare car by Raul Boesel (see Autosport 16 Apr 1981 p8), became regular race car by mid season, replacing chassis 216. Retained 1981 and used by Tommy Byrne in early season in preference to new 1982 model, chassis 282. Autosport 11 Mar 1982 says that Byrne uses Taylor's older Ralt at the first round at Silverstone. Byrne went back to this car, rebuilt on a new tub, at Brands 11 Jul 1982.
  2. Ralt RT3/81 [250] (Dave Scott): Sold to Dave Scott 16 Jun 1981 and used by him in the latter part of the 1981 season. Used in first part of 1982 (1981 spec car with 82 front suspension Autosport 25 Feb 1982 p4). Sold to Mick Cook Racing ('ex-Scott 82 spec' Autosport 23 Sep 1982 p6) and run as rental car.
  3. Ralt RT3/81 [237] (Thierry Tassin): Sold to Neil Trundle 7 Apr 1981. Most probably therefore the car used by Thierry Tassin in 1981, as Trundle's other 1981 car (chassis 222) appears from the first round with Claus Schinkel driving. Sold to Galvani GRO team for Carlos Abella to use in 1982, run by Mick Cook. (Autosport 4 Mar 1982 p38 'ex-Tassin').
  4. Ralt RT3/80 [187] (Mike Blanchet): Sold to Wyatt Stanley 22 May 1980 and used in 1980 British series. To Roy Kennedy Racing ('ex Stanley' Autosport 2 Jul 1981 p4) for various rental drivers. Retained 1982.
  5. Ralt RT3/81 [217] (David Leslie): Sold to Eddie Jordan 22 Feb 1981 and used throughout 1981, mainly by David Sears. Autosport 25 Feb 1982 p4 advises that Jordan's 81 spec Ralt will be driven in 1982 by James Weaver. (A new 82 spec car - chassis 293 - had been purchased for Fernando Macedo to drive.) Used to win Donington Euro round 4 Apr 1982. Retained as spare car early 1983 and driven by Tommy Grunnah at first British round.
  6. Ralt RT3/81 [222] (Claus Schinkel): Sold to Neil Trundle 20 Feb 1981 and used by Claus Schinkel in the British series. Retained early 1982 and driven by Luis Schafer (Autosport 4 Mar 1982 'ex Schinkel'), then sold to DB Racing for Mario Hytten when a 1982 spec car arrived.
  7. Ralt RT3/80 [197] (Fred Krab): Sold to Eddie Jordan 7 Aug 1980 and used by him in latter part of 1980 season. Sold to Terry Gray for 1981 season (Autosport 15 Jan 1981) but only lightly used. For sale Autosport 30 Apr 1981 p61. Sold to Dave Price for Fred Krab to run in Euro series, debut Zandvoort round. For sale by DPR 'new tub in Aug' Autosport 14 Jan 1982 p62. Sold to Phil Dowsett to run in 1982 UK series (Autosport 4 Mar 1982 p38; Motorig News 4 Mar 1982 p3 'ex DPR Krab/Tragardh'); sold late season to Leo Andersson (Autosport 28 Oct 1982 p15).
  8. Ralt RT3/81 [236] (Enrique Benamo): Sold to Enrique Benamo 15 Apr 1981 and run by Rushen Green Racing throughout the season. Taken by Benamo to Docking Spitzley for 1982 and subsequently rented to Roy Steele when Benamo ran out of money. Sold to Martin Wood in Sep 1982 (Autosport 23 Sep 1982 p6). Retained by Wood 1983 (Autosport 3 Mar 1983 p37).
  9. Ralt RT3/81 [225] (Ian Shaw): Sold to Hope Scott Garage and used by David Leslie in the 1981 season. Sold to Mike Reed (Ivens Lumar Racing) Autosport 3 Sep 1981 p3. Ivens Lumar ran Alfonso Toledano in the car in early 1981 (Autosport 21 Jan 1982 p6). Rebuilt on an 82 spec tub after accident at R3 (Motoring News 1 Apr 1982 p20; the car is described as 'new' by Autosport when it reappears at Thruxton on 12 Apr). Then run for Roberto Moreno from Mallory Park 25 Apr.
  10. Ralt RT3/80 [183] (Mike O'Brien): A works car finished July 1980 for Tommy Byrne to run at British GP support race. Sold to Tiga for Daniele Albertin to run. Used by James Weaver in 1981 and then sold to Mike O'Brien. To Tony Trevor for 1982 (Autosport 18 Feb 1982 p7; Motoring News 11 Mar 1982 p14 'ex O'Brien, Weaver') badly damaged at Thruxton in April and probably scrapped. Trevor only reappears at Silverstone 27 June in what Autosport (1 Jul 1982 p8) calls 'a replacement built up from a pile of bits, most bought from Dave Scott's team who had built up a new car during the close season'. These bits may, themselves, have come from the remains of RT3/192 which Scott may have destroyed in testing in 1980, plus surplus parts from RT3/250. We should presume that 183 ceases to exist after April 1980 unless observation of the plate can be found on Trevor's late 1982 car.
  11. Ralt RT3/80 [198] (Jonathan Palmer): Sold to Project Four for Stefan Johansson 15 Aug 1980. Used to win 1980 championship. Sold to West Surrey Racing for Jonathan Palmer, 1981. Won 1981 championship. Retained by WSR and used by Enrique Mansilla in early 1982, then leased to Osamu Nakako [Motoring News 15 Jul 1982 p15). For sale Autosport 14 Oct 1982 p68 '1981 champ winning car' to Gerry Amato Autosport 18 Nov 1982 p13 'ex Johansson, Palmer'.
  12. Ralt RT3/81 [208] (Roberto Moreno): Sold to Glenn Bosch for 1981, to be run by Wimhurst. Bosch then injured in RTA and Bleekemolen used the car. Team became Barron Racing for 1982, running the car for Cor Euser and Tim Davies. Sold to Mick Cook Racing for Martin Longmore (Autosport 5 Aug 1982 p31 'ex Barron') then to EJR late 1982 as hire car, being used by Mike Blanchet at Silverstone 3 Oct 1982, and used by Weaver in late season Euro rounds.
  13. March 813 [6] (Victor Rosso): Sold to Victor Rosso, 26 Apr 1981 and used in British series. Sold to Major Bob Birrell for 1982 and driven by Ed Jones at Cadwell. Retained 1983 and used by Jan Thoelke in German series.
  14. March 773 [3] (Tony Norton): 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.
  15. Ralt RT3/81 [207] (Richard Trott): Sold to Richard Trott 19 Jan 1981. Used throughout 1981 season, leased to Tassin at Cadwell Park. Retained 1982, rented to Martin Longmore for British GP support race.

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

Autosport 8 Oct 1981 p13 and p3. Jeremy Shaw's Autosport report mentions that Palmer (West Surrey Engineering) and Moreno (Barron Racing) had been disqualified. A fuller story in 'Pit & Paddock' reported that both cars had pieces of plastic rivetted to their engine covers that exceeded the 95 cm maximum width allowed behind the centre line of the rear wheels. The rules said that both drivers should be penalised a futher 18 points, which eaten significantly into Palmer's championship points lead. Both drivers appealed. Palmer won the next race so the title was his regardless of the appeal, and Autosport's Seasonal Survey was published (AS 19 Nov 1981 p45) assuming Palmer and Moreno would both be reinstated. The appeal was finally heard in December (AS 17 Dec 1981 p8) and Palmer's disqualification stood, but his 18 point penalty was reversed due to a technicaility concerning publication of officials' names. No mention was made of Moreno's fate, but it is assumed here that he was treated the same.