Formula 3 review

The principal event on the F3 calendar last month was the European Nations F3 Trophy held at Thruxton on September 20th. In fact the main event was slightly more than a European Cup, for teams from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil were in the huge field. France’s “B” Team won the day with the promising Pierre-Francois Rousselot scoring a thoroughly deserved victory in his Brabham BT35 ahead of compatriot Patrick Depailler in a works Alpine Renault. The highest placed British finisher was Barrie Maskell driving Rodney Bloor’s Chevron B18, while Jacques Coulon’s Martini helped the “B” Team to victory with an overall fourth place. Depailler and his eighth-placed team-mate Jean-Pierre Jabouille formed the French “A” Team which finished second in the overall results.

In addition to the team race the Iberia Airlines sponsored programme included a non-Championship Formula Three event which comprised two heats and a final. South African Jody Scheckter won his heat, and then went on to pip David Purley’s new Ensign and the Brabham of Alan Jones in the final after a hectic last lap scramble. Purley had in fact been disqualified by the stewards in his heat for some thoughtless driving past the scene of an accident at the chicane. Maskell took first place in the other heat.

Elsewhere on the Club scene Roger Williamson, who was out of luck at Thruxton, retained his lead in the Lombank Championship after a third place at Oulton Park over the Bank Holiday. He went on to snatch a well earned victory at Brands Hatch in a side-by-side finish with Colin Vandervell’s Castrol-backed Brabham BT35.—A. H.