2011 British F3 off Season/Silly season news etc (merge)

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by gt_torque

F3 teams really only want to race on 'prestige' international circuits such as those raced on by F1 etc. This is understandable for marketing and sponsorship reasons.

Another reason is that, as you wrote, British F3 wants to be "a key stepping stone in any future F1 drivers career". Racing in such circuits gives drivers better preparation for their next years.

[gt_torque]

Yep, totally agree. The testing ban in F1 really is dictating things for other series from the top, down.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

So the best looking candidates for these international British F3 races are FIA GT1 meetings.

From what I've heard/read, Ratel plans to make the GT1-weekends more diverse next year as the current GT-only stlye of package is not all that popular with the general public.

[Go_For_Pole]

Remember those Super Racing Weekends with WTCC, FIA GT and Renault 3.5 & 2.0? Excellent!

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

Remember those Super Racing Weekends with WTCC, FIA GT and Renault 3.5 & 2.0? Excellent!

Will be interesting to see if they can get a touring car series on board as well, and if so, which one? Superstars would make for an incredible package!

[peebee2]

Press release from SRO last week announces a few changes for 2011:

More pit-stops

National Class renamed and renewed

Six UK races, 4 overseas

Full text:


The exciting pit-stop races successfully trialled in the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series this season are to become a regular feature of the championship in 2011, it is announced today, with compulsory wheel changes introduced to add further thrills and enhance the teamwork element.

Further developments planned by championship promoter SRO and organising body the British Automobile Racing Club include an overhaul of the National class – which is to be renamed the Rookie Championship – to attract a greater number of new drivers.

SRO Motorsports Group general manager Lisa Crampton says that it is hoped a pit stop race will be possible at five of the 10 planned ‘triple-header’ meetings. “We want pit stop races at the circuits where the pit lane is large enough to accommodate it, for obvious safety reasons, and we would also like the pit stop race to be the longer, third race of the weekend which will offer a larger and safer pit stop window,” says Crampton. “BARC, the race director and SRO all agree that race three is the best option from a safety point of view.”

Each car will be required to have two of its wheels changed during the mandatory pit call. This year’s experiment – trialled at Rockingham and Silverstone – required only a stop-go pit visit. Technicalities will include the use of a standardised wheel gun and wheel retention device as cost-control measures.

SRO is currently negotiating with circuits both in the UK and abroad to secure a competitive 30-race calendar for British F3. It is likely that in 2011 there will be four events at Grand Prix-standard tracks in mainland Europe. “We don’t want to release the calendar until it is 100 per cent correct,” adds Crampton, “and we are working hard to avoid clashes with other major events. We hope to have it finalised by early October.”

The National Class will from next year be known as the Rookie Championship, and the International Class as the International Championship: “We want to promote the Rookie Championship as an affordable way to begin an F3 career, an ideal starting point for those with a smaller budget to get invaluable track time at some of Europe’s leading Grand Prix circuits.” The 2011 Rookie Champion will win a free entry into the following season’s International Championship.

BARC competitions manager Dale Wells said: “The new developments announced today can only serve to improve the experience and expertise of teams and drivers alike and cement the position of the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series as the leader in the rankings of Formula 3 championships worldwide.”

[strider]

I would take note of the name Lisa Crampton from SRO. She is very much in tune with BF3 and will I think be good news. The costs are not going to go down, but I think you will find that SRO London loses its GT complex and that can only be a good thing for F3.

[EastonNeston]

Surely the best way of getting four good overseas rounds, including Spa and Monza, would be for BF3 to run with the LMS series as it did in 2005?

[NaBUru38]

But SRO is responsible for the British F3 and FIA GT. That's why this is the most realistic possibility.

[strider]

I don't think anyone has started this yet, so now is as good a time as any.

Let's deal with the confirmed signings first.

William Buller will be driving for Fortec Motorsports.

Jack Harvey will be with Carlin.

Now that the 2010 season has ended, testing for next year has already begun and here's a report of an interesting one. Sadly, no times.

There is no calendar yet, but rumours suggests ten rounds as this year, which would comprise six in the UK and four in Europe, hopefully including Monza.

At this stage I would not discount the MSV circuits staying on the calendar, particularly since Snetterton will be much improved.

[NaBUru38]

Times only matter if they are doing fast laps. In these kind of tests, most drivers will be told to have long stints at consistent times.

[strider]

I agree. Times at this stage are irrelevant. In fact times at any test where drivers are supposed actually to be testing are probably not a good idea. Far too often each session is then turned into a glorified qualifying session, which can be bad in a number of ways.

[strider]

I thought it might be useful to cut and paste this, since it's all about British F3 next year:

Originally Posted by peebee2

Press release from SRO last week announces a few changes for 2011:

More pit-stops

National Class renamed and renewed

Six UK races, 4 overseas

Full text:

The exciting pit-stop races successfully trialled in the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series this season are to become a regular feature of the championship in 2011, it is announced today, with compulsory wheel changes introduced to add further thrills and enhance the teamwork element.

Further developments planned by championship promoter SRO and organising body the British Automobile Racing Club include an overhaul of the National class – which is to be renamed the Rookie Championship – to attract a greater number of new drivers.

SRO Motorsports Group general manager Lisa Crampton says that it is hoped a pit stop race will be possible at five of the 10 planned ‘triple-header’ meetings. “We want pit stop races at the circuits where the pit lane is large enough to accommodate it, for obvious safety reasons, and we would also like the pit stop race to be the longer, third race of the weekend which will offer a larger and safer pit stop window,” says Crampton. “BARC, the race director and SRO all agree that race three is the best option from a safety point of view.”

Each car will be required to have two of its wheels changed during the mandatory pit call. This year’s experiment – trialled at Rockingham and Silverstone – required only a stop-go pit visit. Technicalities will include the use of a standardised wheel gun and wheel retention device as cost-control measures.

SRO is currently negotiating with circuits both in the UK and abroad to secure a competitive 30-race calendar for British F3. It is likely that in 2011 there will be four events at Grand Prix-standard tracks in mainland Europe. “We don’t want to release the calendar until it is 100 per cent correct,” adds Crampton, “and we are working hard to avoid clashes with other major events. We hope to have it finalised by early October.”

The National Class will from next year be known as the Rookie Championship, and the International Class as the International Championship: “We want to promote the Rookie Championship as an affordable way to begin an F3 career, an ideal starting point for those with a smaller budget to get invaluable track time at some of Europe’s leading Grand Prix circuits.” The 2011 Rookie Champion will win a free entry into the following season’s International Championship.

BARC competitions manager Dale Wells said: “The new developments announced today can only serve to improve the experience and expertise of teams and drivers alike and cement the position of the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series as the leader in the rankings of Formula 3 championships worldwide.”

I like the idea of the pit stops forming part of the main 40-minute race, because this year most of those have been very boring.

I am less happy about the National Class being re-named the Rookie Class. To me that seems to downgrade it. The cost is not going to be less, that's for sure, unless the regulations are changed.

Right now they should be trumpeting from the rooftops the fact that the 2007 National Class champion, Sergio Perez, will be racing in Formula 1 next year. It's the best piece of PR they could have, yet there isn't even a mention of it on the official website. Crazy.

[EastonNeston]

When does it stop been "early October"?

It's the 8th and still no announcement of the schedule for next season.

The Perez news is good for the F3, and don't forget the 'Alex learned more in a week of F3 than 2 years of FPA/F2" quote from Martin Brundle.

Surely both are golden weapons for a good marketing person.

[MonteCristo]

From British FFord, 2010 series winner Scott Pye said:

"Our main goal is British Formula 3 next year. I'd really like to try to follow in Daniel Ricciardo's [2009 British F3 Champion] footsteps I guess, and try to win that championship."

Any idea or rumours of which team he might end up with?

[NaBUru38]

Peebee2, it's been posted here, which is the right thread. "Silly season" is for driver and team changes.

[gt_torque]

Originally Posted by strider

but I think you will find that SRO London loses its GT complex and that can only be a good thing for F3.

Strider - what do you mean? That SRO is putting F3 first, rather than GT? Just want clarification

[strider]

Originally Posted by gt_torque

Strider - what do you mean? That SRO is putting F3 first, rather than GT? Just want clarification

I've sort of changed my mind since I wrote that. I think the new blood at SRO is keen to make the most of BF3, but I'm not sure that as yet it has been realised that it is the teams that have come up with all the good ideas in recent years, so they do need to be consulted. It's no coincidence that BF3 has this year been much better supported than the F3ES and that the latter is looking to copy some of 'our' ideas, although nothing has been firmed up.

Next year the cars will be the same as this year, but the crunch will come in 2012 when there will be a new generation chassis and, possibly, a revised engine.

[strider]

SRO have released a provisional calendar for 2011 today. You can read about it in full here, but the brief details are:

MONTH  CIRCUIT  CHAMPIONSHIPS
March  Silverstone, UK  Media & Test Day
April  Monza, Italy  GT Endurance Series
April  Oulton Park, UK  British F3 & GT & UK support package
May  Donington Park GP, UK  British F3 & GT & UK support package
June  Brands Hatch GP, UK  British F3 & GT & UK support package
July  Paul Ricard, France  FIA GT1 World Championship
July  Spa-Francorchamps  Spa 24 Hours
August*  Nürburgring*, Germany  GT Endurance Series
September  Rockingham, UK  British F3 & GT & UK support package
September  Snetterton 300, UK  British F3 & GT & UK support package
October  Silverstone Arena, UK  GT Endurance, British F3, GT & supports

[NaBUru38]

2011 British Formula 3 calendar (no days!):

April - Monza (GT Endurance Series)
April - Oulton Park (British GT; bet you it's Eastern)
May - Donington Park (British GT)
June - Brands Hatch (British GT)
July - Paul Ricard (FIA GT1)
July - Spa-Francorchamps (FIA GT1, Spa 24 Hours)
August - Nürburgring (GT Endurance Series; to be confirmed)
September - Rockingham (British GT)
September - Snetterton (British GT)
October - Silverstone (GT Endurance Series, British GT)

Surprise 1: It seems that rookies would be forced into old cars. The best one would get a free ride in the min class for the next season.

Surprise 2: Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton are kept. It's Thruxton the dropped British circuit.

Surprise 3: Only two FIA GT1 dates.

Surprise 4: That GT Endurance Series... ok, wrong forum section.

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Surprise 2: Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Snetterton are kept. It's Thruxton the dropped British circuit.

Excellent - you have invalidated the post I just made in the F3 euro series thread though!!

[strider]

This is getting rather silly. There is a thread about British F3 in 2011 only here: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124989 but people are continuing to post random stories in about 3 different threads.

[dank]

Doesn't seem right to me starting the British F3 season in, er, Italy.

But that could just be me of course...

[Richard B]

Good to see the rumoured split from the MSV cicuits hasn't happened, especially with the revised Snet circuit. Ricard is more accesable than Magny Cours, but I'd still rather it was replaced by Potimao.

[Morris Dancer]

Calling it the 'British International F3 Series' implies that it attracts drivers of other nationalities, not that it includes overseas rounds.

It might be OK if the organisers paid the teams' travel costs (pigs might fly), but adding overseas rounds can only raise the participation cost - as if it weren't high enough already.