13th-14th July 2024 - Brands Hatch
Nations Cup for the King Hussein Trophy
20 July 2024
An entry of 28 cars took part in qualifying for the One-Litre Formula 3 Nations Cup, with the pair of tribute, races taking place at Brands Hatch on 13th – 14th July. The aggregate winner of the two races would also be presented with the King Hussein of Jordan Trophy - especially transported by the Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC) from Scotland as part of our 60th Anniversary celebrations. (The solid silver cup was originally presented at Ingliston when the King was visiting the country in 1966).
Pleasingly, there was a strong entry from Europe for these very special anniversary races being held on the Grand Prix circuit. Leading the entries from the Continent were Francois Derossi, Chevron B17 and Christoph Widmer, Brabham BT18. Enrico Spaggiari had entered the ex-John Miles Lotus 41X. Austin Widmer was running a De Sanctis; Max Blees Brabham BT28; Ludovic Ingwiller Pygmee; Roland Fischer Tecno and Werner Pircher Lotus 41. Michael O’Brien supplemented the UK entry by having a run in the HASU racing Tecno. Jon Milicevic managed to have the car repaired after some 11th hour engineering courtesy of Jeremy Bennett, in order to have it race ready in time.
The 20-minute qualifying session was punctuated by a brief Red Flag period whilst Ross Drybrough’s Merlyn was recovered from the circuit. The battle for the front of the grid was contested between Michael O’Brien in the Tecno, and Andrew Hibberd and Jon Milicevic - both in Brabhams. Andrew briefly headed the timing list before Michael claimed the top spot. When the session was halted at the ten-minute mark it was Michael who led Andrew, followed by Jon. Despite having a time deleted (and not taking part in the qualifying when it restarted), Ross in the Merlyn Mk14 had nevertheless established the 4th fastest time of the session.
When the qualifying resumed after a 7-minute delay most of the cars were able to establish their best qualifying time in the short session. For the top 3, Michael O’Brien remained at the top of the list, but it would be Jon Milicevic in the Brabham BT21 who would be second, with Andrew Hibberd in his Brabham BT18 third.
With Ross Drybrough having secured 4th fastest in the opening session, Jason Timms Brabham BT21 was fifth, Enrico Spagiari Lotus 41X sixth, Richard Trott Brabham BT28 seventh, Christoph Widmer Brabham BT18 eighth, Francois Derossi Chevron B17 ninth, Andy Jarvis March703 tenth – giving us eight different models of chassis in the top ten. Nicholas Pearce in the U2 was the only Class A runner and he would be starting in 24th position. At the back of the grid was Steve Nichol who did not set a qualifying time.
Race 1
At the start it was Jon Milicevic who led from Michael O’Brien and Andrew Hibberd, with Ross Drybrough 4th ,Enrico Spag Spaggiari 5th , and Jason Timms in 6th place. On lap 2, Andrew Hibberd moved into second place. Sadly, Richard Trott did not complete the first lap pulling off with distributor failure, whilst Andy Jarvis pulled into the pits on the end of lap 1.
At the end of lap 3 Michael O’Brien pulled into the pits. The gear linkage had come loose leaving him without gear selection. Michael’s retirement handed a safe 3rd place to Ross Drybrough. Jon Milicevic and Andrew Hibberd having set a pace that gave them a substantial lead of almost 4 seconds back to Drybrough, who in turn had a further 4 second advantage back to Enrico Spaggiari. The front of the field had really spread out. The first battle being for 7th place between Francois De Rossi and Christoph Widmer.
Steve Nichols having started from the back was having a fine drive making his way through the field to 18th by the end of lap 3. That same lap, Andrew Hibberd increased his attack on Jon Milicevic setting the fastest lap of the race. The gap in times between the pair wavering between hundredths of a second to a whole one-tenth gap. It was seriously close for the lead.
In tenth place Mark Carter in the Chevron B15 was holding off the close attention of Max Blees in the Brabham BT28 and the Pygmee of Ludovic Ingwiller. On lap 5 Mark was overwhelmed by the continental pairing. On Lap 7 Andrew Hibberd took the lead whilst Mark Carter - under the pressure from the European competition - accidentally buzzed the engine and as a precaution he retired into the pits. Mark Linstone brought the race to an early end when, unfortunately, he became beached at Clearways. Thus, as the leaders went onto lap 9, the race was halted by a Red Flag with a result declared at lap 8.
The winner was Andrew Hibberd from Jon Milicevic with Ross Drybrough completing the podium. Enrico Spaggiari in the Lotus 41X resplendent in its period Red/White and Gold livery finished 4th, Jason Timms 5th, Christoph Widmer 6th, Francois De Rossi 7th, Austin Widmer 8th, Peter Hamilton in the Tecno 9th and Ludovic Ingwiller rounded out the top 10.
Post-race, all the drivers came together for a minute’s silence to mark the recent passing of Jim Timms – a stalwart of the One-Litre F3 community over so many years. Those familiar with Brands Hatch will know the usual hubbub and background noise associated with the Lower Paddock as people go about their business. And yet, as we began the silence, it seemed as if the whole of Brands fell silent too: nothing on track, and no sound in the Paddock either – a truly fitting mark of respect to Jim!
Our minute’s silence was followed by a magnificent ‘Apero’, laid on by the Blees family. What a wonderful treat – thank you Max! This was followed by the usual ‘Saturday evening Soiree’, which saw 40 Screamers and their family, friends and supporters sit down for supper in the Kentigern restaurant to enjoy some food; listen to tales of derring-do on the track and / or to royally take the mickey out of each other.
Race 2
The grid for race 2 on Sunday would be assembled from the fastest race lap times set by the competitors in Race 1. This gave Michael O’Brien a second chance to overhaul the dominant pairing of Milicevic and Hibberd. Ross Drybrough would start 4th with Enrico Spaggiari 5th and Jason Timms 6th. The duelling pair of Francois Derossi and Christoph Widmer followed, tailed by Christoph’s son Austin with Mark Carter completing the top 10. All retirees from Race 1 were present giving a full 28 car grid for Race 2.
From Pole position Andrew Hibberd led the race away with Jon Milicevic second and Michael O’Brien following closely in 3rd place. The pack following very much in grid order. Richard Trott came into the pit briefly but would return to complete the race.
On lap 3, Michael O’Brien moved into second place less than half a second behind Andrew Hibberd, with Ross Drybrough and the following pack dropping back from the top 3. On this lap Glenn Loxton sadly had to retire his Merlyn into the pits.
Hibberd and O’Brien were setting a cracking pace, with the duo dropping Jon Milicevic, who, in turn had a big margin back to Ross Drybrough. Michael set the fastest lap of the race on lap 4 - potentially a new lap record for the Historic Class, and on lap 5 he swept into the lead. Unfortunately, this would be short lived as he exited the circuit on the following lap, with the Tecno’s owner - Nick Fennell - describing it as probably some dropped fluid which had caused the off. Michael’s retirement left Andrew with a clear lead of 7.762 seconds which he would continue to extend to 15.513 seconds at the end. Second would be Jon Milicevic who had a 4.901 second advantage to Ross Drybrough in third place. On lap 6 Mark Linstone retired, and Jason Timms slipped down the pack to 17th place having been running well in 5th, and ultimately retiring on lap 11.
The man on the move in this race would be Andy Jarvis who had started from the back in his March 703 having retired at the end of lap 1 in Race 1. His progress from the back giving him a highly creditable 9th place finish. It was our two European protagonists who were giving the crowd the close racing, with Christoph Widmer in the Brabham BT18A being able to outfox Francois Derossi; the pair finishing 5th and 6thand some distance behind 4th placed Enrico Spaggiari in the Lotus 41X.
Roland Fischer would be the first Tecno home finishing 8thahead of Mark Carter, Andy Jarvis, and 10th placed Peter Hamilton in another Tecno. After his lap 1 Pit Stop, Richard Trott would come home in 20th place.
Mr Mike How from the SMRC presented The King Hussein of Jordan Cup to Andrew Hibberd, whilst the Nations Cup was awarded to the Great Britain ‘A’ Team, which consisted of Mark Carter, Jon Milicevic and a certain Andrew Hibberd!
There is only a short break before the next round at Oulton Park over the weekend of the 27 – 28 July, where the Screamers have been given the honour of racing for The Gold Cup itself.
Race Report by Alan Jones
