F3, a mystery, and overseas....

Just Do It! · 6 Jan 2007, 01:44 (Ref:1807904)

Happy New Year to you all.

The Shepparton Sheep Spy has cared to inform me about a hive of activity at Winton yesterday. I have elected to post this in here as no doubt there will be a few connected Aussies reading this who will know what's going on and possibly the rule book.

According to the Shepparton Sheep Musterer, there was a Formula 3 car wandering around Winton with a European driver at the wheel.

Initial interest in the car and driver gave very guarded responses and were VERY shy about anyone showing any interest.

So the Musterer sent the Blue Heeler in, and armed with his super dooper nose, he reported back that the F3 car was running on F3 Euro Avons, and that there were as many as 5 sets of these tyres in attendance ...... seemingly the property of the driver.

This driver had clocked a 1:18.2 lap of Winton in scorching 39 degree heat utilising the Musterer's hand-held and highly accurate sun dial.

As the plot thickened and the stone wall got higher and harder to conquer, it was decided to fit a CollarCam to the Blue Heeler and send him back in.

What was learnt was quite astounding......and you have to wonder if testing is allowed in the Asian or Euro F3 Series......due to the team's code of silence.

The driver was none other than....... Walter Grubmuller.....

You have to wonder who else knows anything about this as no doubt someone on here will!!

flor · 6 Jan 2007, 02:00 (Ref:1807908)

F3 Euro series doesnt use Avon tyres

Intrepid · 6 Jan 2007, 02:34 (Ref:1807911)

Isnt there a restriction on the chassis though?

I know Brendon Hartley cannot contest the upcomming Toyota Racing Series rounds over here because he uses the same tatuus chassis for the Eurocup rounds in Europe.

Just Do It! · 6 Jan 2007, 02:47 (Ref:1807913)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid

Isnt there a restriction on the chassis though?

I know Brendon Hartley cannot contest the upcomming Toyota Racing Series rounds over here because he uses the same tatuus chassis for the Eurocup rounds in Europe.

I am well aware and that's why I was asking. What are the restrictions, if any??

marcus · 6 Jan 2007, 03:16 (Ref:1807917)

sorry but this belongs in the national and international single seaters forum

S_Fox · 6 Jan 2007, 06:56 (Ref:1807972)

Yeah Walter Grubmuller is doing Asian F3 this season, so I guess he's doing as many miles as he can.

As far as I know, there are no testing restrictions regarding Asian F3.

An article on him can be found here:

http://www.asianf3.net/article/articleview/801/1/8/

JohnMiller · 6 Jan 2007, 08:53 (Ref:1807990)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_Fox

Yeah Walter Grubmuller is doing Asian F3 this season, so I guess he's doing as many miles as he can.

Seems a shame to have breached the European test ban though, limiting what he can do later in the year.

Kidzer · 6 Jan 2007, 11:31 (Ref:1808087)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Do It!

You have to wonder who else knows anything about this as no doubt someone on here will!!

I'm sure they will, how quick was he versus the regular Aussie F3 boys?

I expect he was in a newer car than them (Aussie F3 uses older Euro/British F3 cars do they not?), but it would be interesting to know

strider · 6 Jan 2007, 13:00 (Ref:1808154)

A couple of questions:

1. What tyres does the Asian F3 series use? Not Avons, I think.

2. What chassis was Grubmuller driving?

kipper · 6 Jan 2007, 14:42 (Ref:1808211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

What tyres does the Asian F3 series use?

Yokohamas.

Just Do It! · 6 Jan 2007, 23:13 (Ref:1808550)

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

A couple of questions:

1. What tyres does the Asian F3 series use? Not Avons, I think.

2. What chassis was Grubmuller driving?

As far as is know it was Sam Astuti's chassis.......I'm not sure how many he has though sorry

Chucky · 7 Jan 2007, 01:24 (Ref:1808619)

So it was an F304 but why the Avon's?

This story seems to be a compendium of a couple of current events and I'm wondering if the bush telegraph hasn't had it's wires crossed.......

Either that or the Blue Heeler was just on drugs.

strider · 7 Jan 2007, 02:19 (Ref:1808629)

Thanks for the info, guys. It does add up to a scenario that kind of makes sense, but I can see some folk not being too happy about it...

Chucky · 7 Jan 2007, 03:59 (Ref:1808643)

That's not the half of it.

S_Fox · 7 Jan 2007, 05:45 (Ref:1808655)

I don't see what's the problem...

He hasn't done anything against the rules

so until he does (if he does), good on him!....

Richard Craill · 9 Jan 2007, 13:14 (Ref:1810373)

Quote:

I'm sure they will, how quick was he versus the regular Aussie F3 boys?

If he did an 18.9 he’s there or thereabouts. Stuart Kostera, Tim Macrow and Leanne Tander all lapped within the low 18’s at a cold, cold test day there latish last year.

Quote:

As far as is know it was Sam Astuti's chassis.......I'm not sure how many he has though sorry

Sam has two cars. Unless they’ve been repainted (Which I think they have) one is white / blue and the other orange / black one. They’re Melbourne based so very likely to be Winton testers.

The Avons… That I don’t know. We run Kumho’s in Oz.

Chucky · 11 Jan 2007, 04:15 (Ref:1812001)

They're not Sam's chassis' but they are in Melbourne.

Richard Craill · 13 Jan 2007, 07:24 (Ref:1813846)

Turns out it wasn't that much of a Mystery after all... Walter was testing for Astuti with a view to race with them at some stage this year.

Confirmed today that he'll drive with them at the A1GP event, at Eastern Creek in early February. Signed for round one but (Seemingly his situation with a few other series, too) he's keeping his options open with the potential to do more rounds, or all of them, this year.

A fine addition to an Aussie F3 field for EC that is looking very strong.

strider · 13 Jan 2007, 15:14 (Ref:1814306)

Thanks for the update, but why was he testing on Avon tyres, if indeed he was?

You use Kumhos in Australia, I believe, and in Asia they use Yokohamas, so what's the point?

Richard Craill · 14 Jan 2007, 01:49 (Ref:1814630)

Someone must have got their wires crossed, or seen some Formula Ford Tyres lying around... No one has Avons here.

Chucky · 15 Jan 2007, 00:00 (Ref:1815334)

Yes, they do.................

There's another mystery car running around Victorian tracks this summer.

strider · 15 Jan 2007, 13:58 (Ref:1815724)

There's a story going around that ADR shipped a car straight from Macau to Australia, maybe for John Martin to test. Would that be the one by any chance?

JohnMiller · 15 Jan 2007, 14:01 (Ref:1815726)

Could be true, but why would he want to break the testing ban? Seems a bit strange.

strider · 15 Jan 2007, 17:02 (Ref:1815832)

Indeed, but it seems some people think out of sight is out of mind. This thread proves otherwise.

Chucky · 21 Jan 2007, 10:23 (Ref:1820775)

Yeah, right. A bunch of quacks on an internet forum is enough to indict anyone!!

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