British F3 Silly Season 2012

[strider]

Originally Posted by DEADDUCK

13 cars and only 4 teams.. How times have changed. Formula Renault canned, F2 only 8 cars signed up!

I thought I'd followed up with details of the Thursday FOTA test, but apparently not, so here is a report and the times:

Pos  Driver              Team/Car                             Time    
 1. Alex Lynn            Fortec Dallara-Mercedes              1m53.530s
 2. Carlos Sainz Jr      Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen            1m53.683s
 3. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Dallara-Mercedes              1m53.799s
 4. Harry Tincknell      Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen            1m53.822s
 5. Jack Harvey          Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen            1m53.850s
 6. Jazeman Jaafar       Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen            1m54.247s
 7. Pietro Fantin        Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen            1m54.399s
 8. Felix Serralles      Fortec Dallara-Mercedes              1m54.670s
 9. Pipo Derani          Fortec Dallara-Mercedes              1m54.826s
10. Nick McBride         T-Sport Dallara-Nissan               1m55.063s
11. Fahmi Ilyas          Double R Dallara-Mercedes            1m55.073s
12. Hwyel Lloyd          CF Dallara-Mugen Honda*              1m55.811s
13. Spike Goddard        T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda*         1m56.281s
14. Dan Cammish          T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda*         1m56.372s
15. Duvashen Padayachee  Double R Dallara-Mugen Honda*        1m56.489s
*= National Class

This time there were 15 cars and 5 teams. Only a small improvement, I grant you, but a step in the right direction.

It was also notable that a non-Carlin driver headed the times. Alex Lynn was the man to do it and he looks very promising. His time wasn't quite as quick as Sainz's the day before, but it was much warmer.

[jondownunder]

In Autosport this week it was reported that Scott Malvern might do the Oulton Park round for CF Racing. And supposedly they are weighing up whether or not to run a Dallara F312... any more news on this?

[strider]

Duplicate post.

[EastonNeston]

It is an interesting point that Alex Lynn is working with an engineer that is new to F3, Russ Dixon, who engineered Alex to the FRUK championship last year.

[bella]

what are you suggesting with that, that the relationship between driver and engineer is perhaps more significant than an engineers specific experience with the car? or that his engineer is a hero and needs a payrise on his daily rate?

[EastonNeston]

Considering how tired I was when I made the post, nothing except pointing out the fact. :-)
however, it could be an interesting point for discussion.

[Frosty11]

wonder whats going on with Hywel Lloyd and CF Racing. Heard that Scott Malvern and Dan Cammish are two possible people to be in national class cars at oulton park.

[EastonNeston]

It's all dependent on the drivers finding the funding to pay for the drive.

To put it simply, no pay no play!

[strider]

This may be the last post on this thread, because the first race meeting is Oulton Park on Good Friday/Easter Saturday. DONT go there on Easter Monday expecting to see British F3 because the teams will be long gone to get down to Monza the following weekend.

The final pre-season test was at Oulton today and here are a report and the times:

Pos  Driver                Team/Car                              Time     
 1. Jazeman Jaafar         Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen             1m28.451s
 2. Harry Tincknell        Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen             1m28.707s
 3. Jack Harvey            Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen             1m28.784s
 4. Carlos Sainz Jr        Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen             1m28.971s
 5. Alex Lynn              Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes    1m28.981s
 6. Pietro Fantin          Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen             1m29.205s
 7. Felix Serralles        Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes    1m29.449s
 8. Hannes van Asseldonk   Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes    1m29.528s
 9. Fahmi Ilyas            Double R Racing Dallara-Mercedes      1m29.773s
10. Pipo Derani            Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes    1m30.036s
11. Spike Goddard          T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda*          1m30.543s
12. Nick McBride           T-Sport Dallara-Nissan                1m31.380s
13. Duvashen Padayachee    Double R Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda*  1m33.592s

*=. National Class

I'm not going to say that 13 cars is a good entry, because it isn't, but at least it's enough to keep the ball rolling.

Fahmi Ilyas made good progress. It makes you wonder how things would be if Double R had a contender in an International Class car.

[CATMAN]

Originally Posted by strider

Fahmi Ilyas made good progress. It makes you wonder how things would be if Double R had a contender in an International Class car.

You've lost me Strider, according to press, Double R Racing web site and social media sites Ilyas is Driving a brand new F312 that they only got 12 days ago and with a Mercedes engine according to last week and this weeks test timing results that you posted. There's also this lovely photo today http://www.flickr.com/photos/6477338...57629687172205
National class run Mugen engines not Mercedes.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by CATMAN

You've lost me Strider, according to press, Double R Racing web site and social media sites Ilyas is Driving a brand new F312

But is Ilyas a contender for overall honours, in the way that the likes of Buller may have been?

[Simon Davey]

Originally Posted by strider

This may be the last post on this thread, because the first race meeting is Oulton Park on Good Friday/Easter Saturday. DONT go there on Easter Monday expecting to see British F3 because the teams will be long gone to get down to Monza the following weekend.

This is a bit misleading because Oulton is a three day meeting - Friday, Saturday, and Monday. The British F3 races are on the Saturday - they aren't actually racing on the Friday, which is a practice day for most of the categories competing at Oulton. I think it's a bit strange that the British F3 calendar means that they can't run on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, when there is a full race program at Oulton including British GTs, British Formula Ford and the F3 Cup. Dare I mention on this thread that the F3 Cup is expecting 20 entries on the Monday?

Simon Davey
F3 Cup Championship Co-ordinator

[strider]

Originally Posted by kipper

But is Ilyas a contender for overall honours, in the way that the likes of Buller may have been?

Thanks, kipper. CATMAN was just pretending to miss the point. Good photo, though.

[strider]

Originally Posted by Simon Davey

This is a bit misleading because Oulton is a three day meeting - Friday, Saturday, and Monday. The British F3 races are on the Saturday - they aren't actually racing on the Friday, which is a practice day for most of the categories competing at Oulton. I think it's a bit strange that the British F3 calendar means that they can't run on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, when there is a full race program at Oulton including British GTs, British Formula Ford and the F3 Cup. Dare I mention on this thread that the F3 Cup is expecting 20 entries on the Monday?

What I said is correct and so is what you have said.

British F3 is having a test session and the single qualifying session on Good Friday so that all three races can be held on Easter Saturday, which is when I plan to be there. The F3 teams have to prep the cars after Oulton and let's hope there is no damage on what is not the safest track around. Then they have to get down to Monza, which is a long haul.

The reason British F3 won't be there on Easter Monday is bad calendar planning. Simple as that. I'm sure the F3 Cup will be an entertaining alternative.

[edenrace]

Yes the calendar is a problem...to get to Monza in time you will probably need 2 truck drivers even without racing on Monday therefore more expense.The calendar is also creating problems with the National Class entries as they are on restricted budgets and to have Monza and Pau ,both expensive events, right as the season starts does not help,however expect to see National Class entries increase from Rockingham.Good news another International car is scheduled to join from Oulton,12 in total,the car is being collected this weekend and will have to be assembled so going to be a last minute affair.

[CATMAN]

Originally Posted by strider

Thanks, kipper. CATMAN was just pretending to miss the point. Good photo, though.

Talk about being negative
Double R are lagging behind the game with deal and car that arrived after others had been testing.
Oulton isn't the easiest of runs as Pietro Fantin found yesterday and Ilyas wasn't the slowest and he's still only 20. Some drivers track skills mature and come slower than others so it's a little unfair to write off Ilyas's competitive chances at this stage. With a little more catch up time Double R could pull a surprise or two.
A little more Antipodean interest is on it's way to UK international F3 according to contacts back in Oz and Edenrace has it that another car is on way
Any bets on a gold livery and a Meter Maid

[CATMAN]

Twitter feeds, FOTA and Double R Racing website have press release that 20 year old Australian Geoff Uhrhane has done a last minute deal with Double R Racing in International Class F3.
Uhrhane had some good results in FF last year, that could shuffle the pack a little and upset the Carlin and Fortec scene

[Deemun]

Originally Posted by CATMAN

Twitter feeds, FOTA and Double R Racing website have press release that 20 year old Australian Geoff Uhrhane has done a last minute deal with Double R Racing in International Class F3.
Uhrhane had some good results in FF last year, that could shuffle the pack a little and upset the Carlin and Fortec scene

Good to have another car out & as you say Geoff had some good results in FF last season but ironic that at the same time the driver that completely dominated FF last year Scott Malvern has announced he has done a last minute deal to join the Pro-tyre BARC Formula Renault championship.

Nothing against this championship which will have a full grid & be highly competitive this season but Scott shouldn't be stuck at this level after everything he has achieved. However if this is the only way he can keep racing then you have to admire his commitment. I really hope he can find some decent budget to join F3 later this year though. He has been talking to CF & although he cannot put anything together now it seems they haven't completely given up on the idea.

[ivanalesi]

It will be an uphill struggle for Uhrhane with this little testing against the Carlin/Fortec armadas! At least he'll have a lot of moral support if he takes the fight to them I think that having Carlin/Fortec as clearly the top teams actually gives a chance for others to shine. Just like Perez did in the Mugen powered T-Sport car some years ago. If somebody outside these 2 top teams take some wins, it would be a sure sign of his talent!
But I think it's much better for Malvern to have a "cheap" season in BARC FR2.0 considering his limited backing and learn about downforce as it seems like to be competitive championship next season. At the end of the day the guy had only some tests and I think it showed that he lacks this experience in GP3/F2. So, if he wins BARC FR2.0, then he'll be 100% ready to go F3 and be fast from the word go. Especially looking at 2012 as a transitional year in F3 and 2013 should be with cheaper engines and clearer picture about the future of F3.

[strider]

Whether you're superstitious or not, 14 cars is better than 13 and if CF decide to give it a go that will be good, too.

It's also a good thing for the championship to have Double R there with three cars.

I think Scott Malvern has made the right decision for him and expect him to dominate the BARC Formula Renault championship. It's always better to be racing and winning than doing nothing at all because people have such short memories.

[FFfan]

Re the points above regarding Scott Malvern:

Ivan if you'd been at the GP3 & F2 tests (both Barcelona) you may think differently from your comments. The GP3 test was an extremely late deal and there were unfortunately a number of problems with the car, particularly on day two. No complaints from us. We were just very grateful to be there & as it was Scott's first real test in an aero car it was great for him to get the experience.

There are now three drivers in British F3 that all finished behind Scott in British FF last year. If you think Scott wouldn't be ready are you saying they are not either? We'll see but I hope (& predict) that they will all equip themselves well.

In the F2 test Scott was quick make no mistake about that. But all the drivers set their fastest laps at the end of the day when they are allowed to use their boost on the final new tyre run. Scott set purple fastest lap for sectors one & two when unfortunately red flags were deployed and he had to abandon the run and with it the window of opportunity was gone. If you were to examine each individual session times for the two days it would give a far more accurate picture than the fastest overall laps displayed for end of day runs.

Strider thank you for your supporting comments and I do agree with you. However we are certainly not taking anything for granted. This is a very late deal and the car has literally just arrived and needs some work to make it race ready for this weekend and unfortunately there will not even be time for a shakedown test anywhere so it will be straight in race weekend. We are certainly not underestimating the quality of the opposition when you have professional teams like Fortec and we are the new kids on the block!

I hope CF do get out. Harry and Hyel to their considerable credit did everything they could to get Scott into their car but we were beaten by time & circumstances. However Scott & I certainly haven't given up on the idea and if there is a chance to join the championship during the season we will.

In the meantime we'd like to wish everyone involved in British F3 a great season!

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by CATMAN

Twitter feeds, FOTA and Double R Racing website have press release that 20 year old Australian Geoff Uhrhane has done a last minute deal with Double R Racing in International Class F3.
Uhrhane had some good results in FF last year, that could shuffle the pack a little and upset the Carlin and Fortec scene

I doubt that Carlin and Fortec will be too worried.

With these line-ups RR and T Sport will be battling to be last again

[EastonNeston]

The important thing is that RR & T-Sport are taking part, it gives us four multi car teams in the championship. Five if CF show up.

While Carlin & Fortec are the top teams now, there is no reason why that won't change in future.

[edenrace]

I love how people like Rookie criticise teams who are at least trying to get to the top, suggest they try and set up even a F Ford team and then they might have some idea what they are talking about.

[edenrace]

Originally Posted by edenrace

I love how people like Rookie criticise teams who are at least trying to get to the top, suggest they try and set up even a F Ford team and then they might have some idea what they are talking about.

Sorry Peebee not rookie.