British F3 Silly Season 2009

[brucelok2003]

Any news for James Calado? I think he has potential to drive Formula 3.

[El_Gibleto]

James will be driving in formula Renault again, With Fortec Motorsport.

He will benefit more from doing f Renault again, hopefully it will be aseason where he runs at the front every race and he will be in a much stronger position when he moves up to F3.

The improvement in James during he season was tremendous, as shown by his performances in the UK and Portugese winter series. If the improvement continues and he delivers the form that is expected next season he will have all the top seats in f3 open to him.

[strider]

Originally Posted by El_Gibleto

I've just been told that the Rockingham round of the series has moved to the last weekend in May, so it now clashes with the BTCC @ Oulton Park.

I don't know when the Snetterton round has been moved to.

SRO don't seem to think it's important to let people know, but based on the calender so far, they will arrange the Snetterton round to clash with a round of the BTCC.

Can someone please explain how that helps to promote the series and the sport in the UK?

It's not a particularly big deal. The Snetterton and Rockingham dates have just been swapped, that's all.

What you have to understand about SRO is that they are an organisation that organises GT racing. They will make sure that British F3 fits in with that, but anything else, like the BTCC, doesn't really enter into the equation. Blinkered maybe, but that's how it is.

They think they've transformed British F3 from being a minor club racing championship into a wonderful international series. It's not true, but that's what they believe.

[El_Gibleto]

Thanks for the info about the date switch. It's a shame that SRO don't think it's worth informing the people involved in their series.

British F3 definitely wasn't a minor club series before SRO, and it was never made to use Paddock 3 at Donington Park or a car park 1km from the pits at Spa which happens under SRO.

[jondownunder]

Ombra Racing to enter, Mugen-Honda engines:
http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=21549&cat=8

[brucelok2003]

Sounds Good!

But how many cars will on the grid? 27? over 30?

My guess:

Carlin: 5-6 (cars)
Ombra:2
Fortec:3
T-Sport:3
West-tec (Possible): 2-3
Hitech:2-3
Double R:3
Ultimate:2-3
Loctite:1
Nexa:1
Litespeed:2

Overall:27-30

[El_Gibleto]

Team Loctite are unlikely to be taking part.

The team's kit has been sold and the mechanics have moved onto other jobs.

[Alex K]

Fluid 3 cars

[strider]

If rumour is to be believed, Hitech will only be running one car for Grubmuller Jnr. Nexa didn't make the final meeting this season, so I doubt they will be out again.

Don't forget JTR with at least one Mygale and CF Racing with an International Class car (ex-Nexa) for Hywel Lloyd.

The economic situation being as it is, I reckon 24 cars will be a good effort, although 14 tested at Silverstone today. Before anyone asks, there are no times. Sorry.

[bella]

it'll be a very good effort - coupled with the strong interest in the euroseries it just goes to show how well motorsport is doing, and f3 in particular. great to see ombra heading over too - it'll be interesting how they go.

[08u05]

Ricciardo and Boyd were fastest international cars today, Chris Maliepaard fastest of the national class cars - by a LONG way!
Maliepaard has shown his speed in National Class cars in the UK and Malaysia, but is struggling to find a budget in order to finance an International Class drive

[N.A-D.R]

Go Ricciardo! Where did u get the results from?

[META4]

Autosport reports that Marcus Ericsson will switch to Japanese F3 Championship in 2009 with the famous Team TOM'S

[08u05]

Originally Posted by N.A-D.R

Go Ricciardo! Where did u get the results from?

I am a very good friend of Chris Maliepaard.

[N.A-D.R]

Originally Posted by 08u05

I am a very good friend of Chris Maliepaard.

Oh ok cool.

[strider]

It's been on the cards for a while, but here is confirmation that Max Chilton will be with Carlin next season.

[N.A-D.R]

He will be up there for sure this year!

[Go_For_Pole]

So Arundel and Chilton up until now for Carlin. Will they be paired with two RB juniors?

[N.A-D.R]

Maybe just one. Because it's possible Sam Abay might do another season with Carlin.

[strider]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

So Arundel and Chilton up until now for Carlin. Will they be paired with two RB juniors?

Ricciardo for one. I think Sam Abay would like to come back, but is waiting to see if there is a vacant seat.

Marcus Ericsson going to TOM'S was a bit of a blow for Carlin, because he was pencilled in as their title contender.

[Go_For_Pole]

Indeed, they need a lead driver (so to speak). Not that a quality rookie can not do that as we saw last year.

[08u05]

I believe Surtees is still on Carlin's "radar"

[strider]

I heard today that Carlin are not running any National Class cars next year, which will disappoint a few people. Pretty reliable source.

Times are really hard. Even with the possibility of a one or two more teams coming over from Europe to join in, I'm beginning to think the total entry list might not be more than 20/21 cars.

[META4]

Any informations about these teams "Coming from Europe". Ombra has been comfirmed already who is/are the other

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by strider

I heard today that Carlin are not running any National Class cars next year, which will disappoint a few people. Pretty reliable source.

Times are really hard. Even with the possibility of a one or two more teams coming over from Europe to join in, I'm beginning to think the total entry list might not be more than 20/21 cars.

Well it's only the last 2-3 seasons where we have had 'big' fields' again. We have seen smaller entries quite often in the past, but no less competition.