31st December 2016 - Season Review
Historic F3 Championship final points and Season Review
Armer Clinches Win with a Little Help
2016 opened with, for the second year running, an appearance for our iconic cars at Goodwood in the 74th Members Meeting. As with the 2015race the race was badly affected by a long Safety Car period. But in the available racing laps Andrew Hibberd (Brabham BT18) went on to a relatively easy win from Peter Thompson (Brabham BT21) followed home by Jim Blockley (Chevron B17) Simon Armer (March 703) Marcus Mussa (Tecno) and Christoph Widmer (Brabham BT18).
Simon Armer now in his fourth season with Historic Formula three, with his superbly presented ex-Tom Walkinshaw March 703, nearly missed out on the championship again. Simon was comfortably leading the Championship going into the penultimate meeting of the year at Zandvoort when an incident in race one put the March on the side-lines for that meeting and the rest of the year. Simon still came away from Zandvoort with a reduced Championship lead. The generosity of fellow competitor Peter Thompson loaning him his Brabham BT21 for the last race allowed Simon with a superb drive in a strange car to take a Championship wining second place.
2015 Championship winner Leif Bosson in his immaculately prepared ex Conny Andersson Brabham BT 28, was always there in the chasing pack, frequently leading it. His excellent result at Croft demonstrate the competitiveness of this fast Swede that gave him a good second in the Championship.
In only his second season with HF3 Marcus Mussa in the ex- Lionel Noghes Tecno seemed too benefited from some off season fettling by Bob Boughton. This saw Marcus and the Tecno much more competitive with an excellent second and third at Croft and only the one DNF. He is currently recovering from a broken ankle we wish him a speedy recovery.
It was a bit of a mixed season for Peter Thompson with his Brabham BT21 he was always on the pace taking a win at Castle Combe. But pushing for that ultimate qualifying lap at Croft was his downfall leaving the car unable to race. The car was back out at Zandvoort after heroic work by Steve Mace a good result in race one but Peter was thwarted by a jump start penalty in race two and unfortunately Peter had to miss the last meeting of the year due a prior arrangement. However Peter deserves an award for his sportsmanship in loaning his Brabham to Simon Armer for the Championship final.
In fifth was yours truly in my trusty Vesey. The highlight of the year for me was the absolutely fabulous Zandvoort, a really challenging and very rewarding circuit and I am sure we are all looking forward to going back next year. The low point, the stupid incident that cost us eight racing laps at Goodwood. My report should read could have done better need to think more about the racing.
There are some beautifully prepared cars and then there is the Lotus 41 of Barry Sewell. Barry tells me that his son Jonathan, the owner of the car, does most of the preparation. Whoever does the work the car is superb and a credit to both of them. Some fettling over the winter seemed to have resolved the overheating problem and through the season Barry seemed much happier in the car. His second race pace at Croft shows the pace in Barry and the car. He was another to enjoy Zandvoort but kept looking for the rest of the circuit which seemingly had gone missing since he last raced there. Barry had to miss a couple of races had that not been the case I am sure he would had taken fourth in the Championship.
In sixth place in the championship Chris Holland having a much better season than last year with the cars Overheating issues more or less under control. Chris was always part of the chasing pack and should have finished higher had a cracked block during qualifying at Zandvoort taking him out of the last three races.
After his previous year single outing at Castle Combe ended against the barriers at Quarry Ewen Sergison was very pleased to be back with the Jim Blockley Brabham BT21. Ewen suffered more than his fair share of problems through the year but when he and the car were behaving his speed was stunning. Despite some lows in the season the highlight must have been Zandvoort and the second race battle with Francois Derossi (Chevron B17). Ewen receiving a very expensive watch for the organising Club for his efforts.
Having the one of the worst season anyone could ever expect to endure was Jim Blockley in his recently acquired Chevron B17. The potential for Jim and the car were seen at Goodwood with a third place finish however continuing fuel feed problems resulted in four DNF’s this with a DNS and a failure to appear spoilt what was potentially a very promising season for him. They believe the fuel supply issues have been resolved and we wish Jim a better season for 2017.
Geoffrey O'nion, back from work an assignment to Singapore, was a welcome returnee to the paddock with his Tecno now resplendent in its original period colours. His seventh place in the Championship was very good considering problems at Cadwell Park causing a couple of DNFs and missing a couple of races due to other commitments.
It is always great to welcome newcomers to our Championship and none was more welcome than ex-Formula Junior driver Jon Milicevic in his ex-Dean Forward/………… Brabham BT21B. Jon took three wins in his first three race. We look forward to full season from Jon in 2017. Taking over his father’s Brabham BT21 for a several races was Andrew Hibberd and getting two wins at Brands Hatch only a fuel supply issue at Castle Combe stopped him equalling the Jon Milicevic score. Steve Smith (ex-Jolly Club Chevron B15) was the last of our race winners this year winning the 750 Motor Club meeting at Donington.
Our European, I think I can still say that, colleagues are a vital part of the Historic Formula 3 and bring some strong competition. Zandvoort saw Francois Derossi take a win and just missing out on the second win after the battle with Sergison. Francois and others from over the water were a major part, eight cars on the grid, in making Brands Hatch work we must not forget the vital part they play on our revival.
As with every year we welcome several newcomer several have already been mentioned but we should also mention Tony Wallen who debuted his superb restoration of the ex-Carlos Pace Lotus 59 at Donington, Mark Pangborn (ex-Tommy Reid Brabham BT28), Simon Haughton you gave his newly acquired ex-Rene Ligonnet Chevron B17 also at Donington. At Brands Hatch we saw; Werner Pircher from Switzerland with his Lotus 41, Peter Barclay (Brabham B15) and Kim Shears with the unique Penny Ford both over from Australia. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with Hans Ciers (Mallock) and Philippe Bonny (Tecno) at Zandvoort.
2016 has shown what Historic Formula 3 is able to achieve with some superb close racing and when we get to the premier circuits with grids in the high 20, and some beautiful new cars to add to the Historic scene. Whilst only a handful of our 47 starters may have received a mention, without their support none of the superb racing we have seen could have occurred and I would like to pass on my personal thanks for all their efforts and look forward to seeing you all in 2017.
It goes without saying that we would like to thank all at the HSCC for their help and support, as well as the Marshals and our sponsor, Andrew Thorpe’s company, ‘The Cubicle Centre’.
View Results and Timings (as a PDF document) [PDF]
