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69-476: The creators of the Asian F3 Championship intended the series to provide young Asian drivers with a stepping stone to the higher levels of single-seater motor racing. Asia has not traditionally had the motor racing profile and career ladder from which European drivers benefit. There was clearly a need to change this and to demonstrate the feasibility of Formula Three to potential sponsors in light of

138-503: A 60-second penalty for a driving infringement. This handed the title to Nico Hülkenberg . In the immediate aftermath of the incident in question, both drivers had been given 30-second penalties. The 2006 champion, Christian Vietoris , went on to dominate that year's World Final in Valencia, in which he secured pole position, finished in first place in all three qualification heats, and won the final itself. The German series merged with

207-734: A Licensing Course at one of the Racing Centres. BMW also provided an annual scholarship for five young drivers in each championship, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, who were chosen through a selection process. It provides each driver with a budget of £35,000 in the UK, US$ 50,000 in Asia, and US$ 40,000 in the USA. The best drivers from each championship were invited to the Formula BMW World Final, which takes place at one of

276-719: A cheap point of entry for lesser funded teams and drivers. Formula Three cars are monocoque chassis , using slick racing tyres and wings . Currently, Dallara manufactures the overwhelming majority of F3 cars, though Mygale , Lola (formerly in partnership with Dome of Japan), Arttech , and SLC also have a limited output. In many smaller or amateur F3 racing series older cars are frequently seen. Usually these series are divided into two or more classes, to allow more participation. Engines in FIA Formula 3 are all 3.4- litre , 6-cylinder naturally aspirated spec engines. Engines in others Formula 3 series must be built from

345-442: A driver that competes in the championship. On-board data-loggers are used to monitor each team's on-track activity between race weekends, and illegal running is likely to incur a fine or suspension. Each chassis is subject to safety inspections by the scrutineers, and may be replaced only if it is deemed necessary due to irreparable accident damage. If this occurs after a qualifying session, that driver's times have to be annulled and

414-399: A minimum distance of 60 km (37.5 mi), with that figure determining the number of laps according to the length of the circuit. If the race duration exceeds 30 minutes, it will be stopped at the end of that lap. In the event of a race being stopped prematurely, full points are awarded if the race leader completed at least 75% of the distance, while half points are awarded if at least 50%

483-619: A number of years and home-built 500 cc cars engines were intended to be accessible to the "impecunious enthusiast". The second post-war motor race in Britain was organised by the VSCC in July 1947 at RAF Gransden Lodge, 500cc cars being the only post-war class to run that day. Three of the seven entrants were non-starters, and, of the four runners, all but one retired on the first lap, leaving Eric Brandon in his Cooper Prototype (T2) trailing round to

552-732: A production model block ( stock block ), and often must be sealed by race or series organizers, so no private tuning can be carried out. Honda engines (prepared by Mugen ) have perennially been popular, as have engines produced by Volkswagen , Alfa Romeo , or Renault . Currently the HWA-tuned Mercedes and the Volkswagen engines dominate the British and European series, with Mugen, TOM'S – Toyota , Opel , and Fiat being used by some teams. Complete regulations: "fia.com" (PDF) .   (1213  kiB ) Until

621-501: A race. When Formula BMW UK was formed, it had to compete in a crowded marketplace with a number of series based on Formula Ford and Formula Renault regulations, together with smaller series such as Zip Formula. However, as with the other BMW championships, the UK series quickly proved to be a success. It attracted 25 entrants in its inaugural season in 2004, which increased to 28 the following season. Former Formula One and Indycar champion Nigel Mansell became involved as an ambassador for

690-487: A restricted air intake were introduced. The 1971–73 seasons were contested with these cars, as aerodynamics started to become important. Two-litre engine rules were introduced for 1974, still with restricted air intakes. Today engine regulations remain basically unchanged in F3, a remarkable case of stability in racing regulations. As the likes of Lotus and Brabham faded from F3 to concentrate on Formula One, F3 constructors of

759-492: A single chassis or engine. Most series now use single "control" suppliers for tires and fuel, both of which are subject to the FIA's regulations, but Asian F3 goes a step further by using a single engine builder ( TOM's - Toyota ) and prohibiting the latest chassis specifications according to their age. These measures are part of a dedicated effort to minimise running budgets. The tires are supplied by Yokohama (now are Dunlops). Like

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828-626: A small independent family-run team. Robert Wickens began the 2006 season with Apex Racing USA, before switching to EuroInternational. In 2005, a special Formula BMW invitational event was held as part of the Race of Champions at the Stade de France in Paris . BMW invited one driver from each of the four championships: Robert Wickens from the USA series; Nico Hülkenberg from the German series; Dean Smith from

897-403: A statistical point of view, Parker was the most successful F3 driver. Although coming to motor racing late in life (at age 41 in 1949), he won a total of 126 F3 races altogether, and was described by Motor Sport magazine (in his 1998 obituary) as "the most successful Formula 3 driver in history". Although Stirling Moss was already a star by 1953, Parker beat him more than any other driver, and

966-454: A three-year life-cycle, with only minor annual updates. It was agreed however to extend the life-cycle of the current F308 to four years to assist teams; this chassis however, has been replaced in 2012 with the new F312 chassis, intended to be run until 2017. Most F3 championships, most notably the British series, offer a secondary class for cars from the previous life-cycle in order to provide

1035-625: A virtual walk-over at an average speed of 55.79 mph (89.79 km/h), though his best lap (which was the fastest recorded for any 500) was 65.38 mph (105.22 km/h). Cooper came to dominate the formula with mass-produced cars, and the income this generated enabled the company to develop into the senior categories. Other notable marques included Kieft , JBS and Emeryson in England, and Effyh, Monopoletta and Scampolo in Europe. John Cooper, along with most other 500 builders, decided to place

1104-477: Is achieved by the wingless Formula Ford cars and comparable to Formula Renault , and provides drivers with valuable first-time experience of the unique characteristics of aerodynamic downforce. Formula BMW was strictly a "control" formula. This term describes a formula in which every major aspect of equipment and suppliers is restricted. Control formulae normally have only one chassis specification, one engine, and single suppliers of tires and fuel. Modifications to

1173-646: Is completed. If a race is stopped prior to half-distance, it will be restarted where possible. Full points are awarded as follows: The UK championship is composed of ten rounds, with two races per round. The German championship previously ran for ten rounds, but was reduced to nine in 2006. The US championship has only seven rounds, each with two races. The Asian championship is a little different: it used to run seven rounds with two races per weekend, but now has six rounds with four races per weekend at all bar one round. Having fewer events, but with more races at each, helps to reduce transport and travel costs without reducing

1242-616: Is derived from the now defunct Formula Renault V6 Eurocup that was held in Europe, and uses the same Tatuus chassis and Renault-derived V6 engine. The championship is organised by the Asian Formula Three Corporation , which is managed by Jose Eduardo Peña from offices in Manila . The corporation's stockholders comprise the participating teams. Current stockholders include the proprietors of Speedtech Asia; Joson F3 Racing (disbanded); Team Goddard; Ghiasports (not in

1311-402: Is held on the third day, prior to the first race, with the second and third races held on the final day. Each race is at least 20 minutes in duration, over a distance of at least 40 km. Where a shorter two- or three-day schedule must be used, the dropped practice days are supplanted by equivalent test days earlier in the same week. The Asian F3 Championship visits circuits located throughout

1380-525: Is known for major non-championship races typically including entries from the national series, the best-known of which is the FIA Formula 3 World Cup (previously known as FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup) at Macau . The first Formula Three Grand Prix of Macau was held in 1983 and won by Ayrton Senna . Michael Schumacher , David Coulthard , Ralf Schumacher , and Takuma Sato have also won there. The Formula Three Grand Prix of Macau traditionally marks

1449-682: Is part of the growth in popularity of organised single seater motorsport in east Asia, and it forms the start of a career ladder below the Asian Formula 3 Pacific Series and Formula V6 Asia . Events have been held at Sepang in Malaysia ; Bira in Thailand ; Sentul in Indonesia ; and Shanghai , Zhuhai , Beijing in China , Macau and Singapore . It has appeared on the support bill at

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1518-487: The British , Spanish and European championships, Asian F3 supports two championship classes: positioned below the International Class is a Promotions Class specifically for older chassis specifications. It is aimed primarily at younger, less experienced drivers. In the 2006 season, International Class drivers used the two-year-old Dallara F304 and the five-year-old F301, and Promotions Class drivers used

1587-605: The FIA in 1950) evolved from postwar auto racing , with lightweight tube-frame chassis powered by 500 cc motorcycle engines (notably Nortons and JAP speedway). The 500 cc formula originally evolved in 1946 from low-cost "special" racing organised by enthusiasts in Bristol , England, just before the Second World War ; British motorsport after the war picked up slowly, partly due to petrol rationing which continued for

1656-541: The Malaysian , Chinese , Bahrain , Macau and Singapore Grand Prix. It was renamed Formula BMW Pacific for the 2008 season. Founded in 2004 and originally known as Formula BMW USA, the series changed its name to Formula BMW Americas starting with the 2008 season. The series was sanctioned by IMSA , and it has appeared on the support bill for ALMS , Champ Car , Grand-Am , Indy Racing League and Formula One events. In its first four years of existence (2004–2007),

1725-1282: The United Kingdom and the United States were launched the following year. The UK and German championships merged into a new pan-European series in 2008. Competitors benefited from BMW Motorsport's Education and Coaching Program, which is based at two Formula BMW Racing Centres at the Circuit de Valencia in Spain and the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir , Bahrain . The centres provided courses in race driving, chassis setup, fitness and nutrition, media management, and sponsorship searching. To be eligible to compete in Formula BMW, drivers had to be at least fifteen years old, and must not have competed in any international racing series other than karting. They must have held an International racing license no higher than Grade C. (FIA International racing licenses are graded from A to D, with an additional super-license above Grade A.) Competitors must take part in

1794-589: The Williams Formula One team in 2006 and the 2004 champion Sebastian Vettel became a test driver for the BMW Sauber team later the same year. Vettel has since graduated to a full-time Formula One race driver, setting several drivers' records and becoming the youngest Formula One champion in history after the 2010 Formula One Championship season. The 2005 championship was decided in an appeal court, which penalised Switzerland's Sebastian Buemi with

1863-433: The 1970s included Alpine , Lola , March, Modus , GRD , Ralt , and Ensign . By the start of the 1980s however, Formula Three had evolved well beyond its humble beginnings to something closely resembling the modern formula. It was seen as the main training ground for future Formula One drivers, many of them bypassing Formula Two to go straight into Grand Prix racing. The chassis became increasingly sophisticated, mirroring

1932-516: The 1970s. Its European F2 Championship program, which ran from 1973 to 1981, contributed to six drivers' titles in partnership with March . The company ended its participation prior to its first entry into Formula One in the 1980s. BMW returned to the junior categories in Germany in 1991, as the engine supplier to the Formula ADAC championship. The first champion was Christian Abt . It

2001-551: The 2007 season Dillon Battisstini managed to beat Henri Karjalainen in the championship. Other notable drivers include Morenon Soerapto, Oliver Turvey, Paul Ip, Don Tacos, Philip Forsman, Walter Grubmuller, Robin Tato, Edwin Jowsey and James Littlejohn. In 2006, the championship saw the first two lady drivers of the series, namely Gaby dela Merced for Speedtech Asia Team Indonesia and Michele Bumgarner for Team Goddard. The series also saw

2070-500: The British Formula 3 championship. Perhaps the most curious of all was the small All-Japan Formula Three Championship . Although few drivers spent a significant amount of time there, future stars such as Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve scored victories there. An Asian series was established in 2001 and grew to produce past A1 drivers for Indonesia and Australia. In addition to the many national series, Formula Three

2139-628: The Formula BMW Racing Centres in December of each year. The 2006 event was held at Valencia. It was composed of a series of elimination heats followed by a final race. The winner was awarded a Formula One test with BMW-Sauber . Formula BMW was what is sometimes referred to as a "slicks and wings" formula, which describes the use of slick tires and downforce -generating wings at the front and rear. The addition of wings results in cornering speeds that are faster than that which

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2208-647: The Formula BMW USA series supported both the Canadian and United States Formula One Grands Prix. The 2007 BMW USA champion was the previous season's Rookie of the Year, Daniel Morad of Canada , who secured the title with six wins. Mexico 's Esteban Gutiérrez took over the Rookie title. The Americas championship was disbanded at the conclusion of the 2009 season which saw only 13 drivers participate in

2277-639: The Southeast Asian region, which have included Sentul in Indonesia ; Zhuhai and Goldenport Park in China ; Autopolis in Japan ; and Subic and Batangas in the Philippines . In 2007, Asian F3 visited Albert Park in Melbourne , Australia as a support race for the 2007 Australian Grand Prix . Formula BMW Formula BMW was a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It

2346-467: The UK series to form the BMW Europe series in 2008. The series raced for three years before being axed at the end of the 2010 season, in favour of the new Formula BMW Talent Cup, which started in 2011. Formula BMW Asia was the second championship to be created. It was inaugurated in 2003 under the management of Motorsport Asia Limited, and functioned as a replacement for Formula Asia . Its creation

2415-657: The UK series; and Bahrain's Salman Al Khalifa from the Asian championship. Wickens, of Canada, was the 2005 Rookie of the Year in the US, and was up against the champions from the other series, but showed his potential by winning the event. Formula Three Formula Three , also called Formula 3 , abbreviated as F3 , is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing . The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. Formula Three (adopted by

2484-712: The World Final at the end of each season, with the promise of a Formula One test for the winner. From 2011 onwards BMW ceased to support the Pacific and Europe series, in favour of the Formula BMW Talent Cup . The Talent Cup, which was the final Formula BMW championship in existence, ended after the 2013 season . BMW has prior experience of junior formula racing , as a successful engine supplier in Formula Two and, more briefly, Formula Three in

2553-547: The car in cooperation with the French chassis constructor Mygale , which was responsible for production. The result, designated "FB02", was a compact design, with a carbon-fibre composite tub constructed to the safety standards of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (motorsport's world governing body). The bodywork is made from a kevlar composite. At 3.975 m (13.041 ft) in length, it

2622-406: The chassis, bodywork and engine are not permitted and this is strictly enforced through scrutineering . In the case of Formula BMW, tuning is restricted to basic adjustment of the gear ratios , suspension , brake balance , and wing angles. The engines are sealed to prevent illegal modifications and are serviced by Schnitzer Motorsport . DesignworksUSA , a subsidiary of BMW, led the design of

2691-436: The driver must start at the back of the grid. Spare cars (second cars for use in the event of a problem with the first car) are not permitted. At the end of each session or race, the cars have to be submitted to the scrutineers under Parc fermé conditions. The use of treaded rain tires in place of the normal slick tires is permitted only when the race director deems it necessary in any given session or race, and he reserves

2760-400: The drivers must maintain position and not perform dangerous actions such as brake-testing, excessive weaving, and practice starts. Each weekend begins with a 40-minute free practice session, except at events that support a Formula One Grand Prix, where the schedule is subject to change. Each race is preceded by a 20-minute qualifying session, in which competitors must set a time within 130% of

2829-489: The drivers' championship title is rewarded with a fully sponsored entry to the end-of-season, non-championship Macau Grand Prix . For 2007/08 season, the winner of the drivers' championship will be rewarded with a Formula 1 test drive with the Force India F1 Team . Notable drivers who have graduated from Asian F3 include Indonesian A1GP driver Ananda Mikola and 2004 champion, Australian Christian Jones ,

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2898-400: The effort to tightly control costs, Formula BMW follows the lead set by most junior single seater formulae by strictly limiting testing. During the season, teams and drivers are primarily limited to a small number of official test days, the cost of which is reimbursed by the series organisers. The teams are allowed to test at circuits that do not host championship events, provided they do not use

2967-479: The eight-year-old F398. Each of these specifications are part of a different three-year lifecycle in Dallara's update program. Each event in the championship is normally run to a four-day schedule. It comprises three races, plus three hours of free practice and one 30-minute qualifying session. The free practice is divided into six 30-minute sessions, split between the first two days of each four-day event. Qualifying

3036-683: The end of the Formula Three season, with drivers from almost every national series participating. Other major races include the Pau Grand Prix (from 1999 to 2006), the Masters of Formula 3 (traditionally held at Zandvoort ), and the Korea Super Prix at Changwon . These events give fans in locations not visited by other major series a way to experience major international racing. The Monaco F3 Grand Prix held until 1997

3105-643: The engine in the middle of the car, driving the rear wheels. This was mostly due to the practical limitations imposed by chain drive but it gave these cars exceptionally good handling characteristics which eventually led to the mid-engined revolution in single-seater racing. The 500cc formula was the usual route into motor racing through the early and mid-1950s (and stars like Stirling Moss continued to enter selected F3 events even during their GP careers). Other notable 500 cc Formula 3 drivers include Stuart Lewis-Evans , Ivor Bueb , Jim Russell , Peter Collins , Don Parker , Ken Tyrrell , and Bernie Ecclestone . From

3174-415: The fastest time in order to qualify for the race. The time set in the qualifying session determines the driver's starting position for the race. If only one qualifying session can take place, each driver's second best time will determine his grid position for the second race. If no qualifying sessions can take place, the current championship standings will decide the grid for both races. Each race must cover

3243-939: The involvement of the noted Japanese F3 team, Three Bond Racing, which carried Winslow to the drivers' title in its collaboration with JA Motorsports, and secured the teams' title in the process. At the end of 2007 the championship became a "winter type series" naming it the AF3 Pacific Series, starting the championship in November 2007 and ending in May 2008. New teams have joined the series during that championship, Drew-Evans Motorsport Group, Team GFH Bahrain,Champ Motorsport and PTRS from Hong Kong along with some good drivers, namely Frederic Vervisch (the 2007-08 champion), Matthew Howson, Rafael Suzuki and Hamad Al Fardan. Ed Pead, Nial Quinn, Arturo Gonzales, Leonardo Valois, David Julien and Peter Kalpakiotis also raced at select rounds. In

3312-573: The launch of the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019, there has never been a World Championship for Formula Three. In the 1970s and into the 1980s the European Formula Three Championship and British Formula 3 Championship (once one series had emerged from the competing British series in the 1970s) were the most prominent, with a number of future Formula One champions coming from them. France, Germany, and Italy also had important Formula Three series, but interest in these

3381-453: The mid-1980s and the national series became correspondingly more important. For 2003, French and German F3 , both suffering from a lack of competitive entrants, merged to recreate the Formula 3 Euro Series . Brazil's SudAm Formula Three Championship , which now has the most powerful engine of all Formula Three series, was known for producing excellent drivers who polished their skills in

3450-458: The mid-1980s replacing traditional aluminium or steel monocoque structures. Dallara however, after an unsuccessful Formula One project, focussed their attention on the formula in the early nineties and obliterated all the other marques with their F393. Within a couple of years, the chassis was considered a prerequisite to competitiveness, and today Dallara chassis are ubiquitous to the formula. In order to keep costs down, their chassis have had

3519-502: The more senior formulae – ground effects were briefly used in the early 1980s but were banned, in line with other FIA single-seater formulae; carbon fibre chassis started to be introduced from the mid-1980s. Historically, March (up to 1981), Ralt (up to the early 1990s) and Reynard (1985–1992) had been the main chassis manufacturers in two-litre F3, with Martini fairly strong in France; Reynard pioneered use of carbon fibre in

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3588-673: The number of races. Formula BMW ADAC is sanctioned by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club e.V. , Europe's largest automobile association. It was immediately popular with teams and drivers alike, attracting 32 entries in its first season. Since 2004, the ADAC championship has included a support event for the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring . 2002 champion Nico Rosberg joined

3657-401: The original Formula BMW ADAC in 1999 and continued into the all-new championship. The team took Rosberg's son, Nico , to the 2002 championship title in his rookie year. By 2006, Nico Rosberg had progressed to Formula One. Formula BMW then expanded to encompass four championships across three continents. The German series was followed by a south-east Asian championship in 2003, and series in

3726-461: The region's growing economy. The series' organisers have held corporate track days in the Philippines, as part of their efforts to attract sponsorship. Asian F3 is positioned between two other single seater formulae in Asia's fledgling motorsport culture: below it sits Formula BMW Asia , which is one of four Formula BMW series worldwide, and positioned above it is Formula Renault V6 , which

3795-831: The return of Roland Hermoso (2001 Formula Toyota champion) in Formula 3 racing driving alongside Gaby in Speedtech Asia Team Indonesia, and a new team was put up by Mandy Borja and Jonh O"Hara naming it Aran Racing. Other notable drivers include Bagoes Hermanto and Satrio Hermanto from R&W team Indonesia. While in 2005 saw numerous Filipino drivers joined the championship, namely Tyson Sy and JP Carino for Speedtech Asia, Dado Pena for Team Goddard, John Marcelo (brother of Jovy Marcelo) for Christian Jones Motorsports, Pepon Marave for Kinetic F3 Racing, Renan Morales for Fujitsu-Ten Team TOM'S, JP Tuason for Tuason Racing School and Enzo Pastor for Team T.E.C. Pilipnas. As

3864-492: The right to mandate their use when conditions are severe. For safety reasons, the pitlane is subject to a 60-km/h (37.5-mph) speed limit, violation of which will result in a drive-through penalty. Drivers must wear FIA -specification helmets and use the Head And Neck Support (HANS) restraint system. Each race begins with a formation lap behind the safety car , prior to the start itself. During this lap,

3933-710: The series after his sons, Leo and Greg , began their single seater careers in the championship in 2006. He also works as a mentor with the BMW Education and Coaching Programme. 2007 was the last year for Formula BMW UK and the series merged with the German series to form the Europe series. Formula Lista Junior is a feeder series to the main Formula BMW series. It has run since 2000 across mainland Europe and since 2008 has used Formula BMW FB02 chassis and engines to run its single-seaters. Former champions include Neel Jani and Romain Grosjean . Tim Bridgman competed in

4002-520: The series anymore); TOM's Asia (teamed up with Threebond Racing in the 2005 series); and Kinectic Racing (disbanded). Stockholders are not required to pay the entry fee of $ 2000 per season. Unfortunately, the 2007-08 season which is the pacific series, is the last season of the series. The series' reputation was badly damaged in the 2007-08 season by Bahrain driver Hamad Al Fardan who had complained that championship leaders Frederic Vervisch and Team Goddard were using illegal petrol to go faster than him. It

4071-467: The series first inaugurated in the early 2000, numerous teams have joined the series, in 2002, Team Vertex of Marchy lee, Paul and Jeffrey Chan, Michael Ho and Johnathan Chan. Christian Jones Motorsports return in 2004 after competing in the last few rounds of the series in 2003, along with Team BRM of Australia. Team Goddard was renamed Minardi Asia Team Goddard after the former F1 team joined the series and collaborated with Mark Goddard's team, while in 2009,

4140-561: The series, and the season champions which is the Team Goddard moved its racing operation in the Australian Formula 3 series that same year. The typical operating budget of an Asian F3 team is circa £80,000. This fact, coupled with a steady rise in its international profile, serves to attract a number of European drivers who lack the budget that is required to compete in the established European championships. The winner of

4209-532: The son of former world champion Alan Jones . The 2006 champion, Britain's James Winslow , received attention and praise for his dramatic rescue of a competitor who was trapped in his upturned car at Sentul in Indonesia . In acknowledgment, he received a Gregor Grant Award at the annual Autosport Awards ceremony in the UK , and a Bronze Award from the Royal Humane Society . The series benefits from

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4278-507: The team opted to join the Formula 3 Australia series leaving the Asian Formula 3 which it had won numerous drivers and teams championship. Formula Three championships subscribe to the technical regulations that are set by the FIA , and the Asian F3 Championship is no exception, but there are some important differences in this instance. Formula Three is traditionally an open formula, which means that it does not restrict competitors to

4347-489: Was Formula 3 Champion in 1952, again in 1953, and in 1954 he only lost the title by a half-point. He took the title for a third time in 1959. 500cc Formula Three declined at an international level during the late 1950s, although it continued at a national level into the early 60s, being eclipsed by Formula Junior for 1000 or 1100 cc cars (on a sliding scale of weights). A one-litre Formula Three category for four-cylinder carburetted cars, with heavily tuned production engines,

4416-460: Was in 2001 that BMW decided to significantly increase its involvement in the series; ADAC remained the sanctioning body, but BMW Motorsport devised the package of regulations and commissioned the new chassis. The new formula made its debut at Hockenheim in April 2002. Among the series' more notable teams was Team Rosberg , founded by former Formula One world champion Keke Rosberg , which entered

4485-492: Was larger than a Formula Ford 1600, and slightly smaller than a Formula Renault 2000. The engine was sourced from BMW's motorcycle division: it is a near-standard K1200RS motorcycle engine, in an inline four-cylinder configuration, with a capacity of 1171 cc, and a power output of 140 hp (100 kW). Drive is through a single-plate clutch and a six-speed sequential gearbox , produced by Hewland . The complete car weighs 455 kg without fuel and driver. As part of

4554-440: Was later revealed that Team Goddard principal, Mark Goddard, was also the organiser of the championship and was even competing under the pseudonym of "Don Tacos". While Fardan's comments were entirely unfounded, support in the final round of the 2007-08 season was minimal with a total of only 7 entered cars opposed to the 12 that had started at the first round. The 2009 season never materialized due to lack of teams and drivers joining

4623-457: Was originally subsidiary to national formulae – Formula Renault in France and Formula Super Vee in Germany. These nations eventually drifted towards Formula Three. The Italian series tended to attract older drivers who moved straight across from karting whereas in other nations drivers typically graduated to F3 after a couple of years in minor categories. The European series died out in

4692-418: Was positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category. Like Formula Ford, it was intended to function as the young kart racing graduate's first experience of car racing. The new formula was created by BMW Motorsport in 2001, with the first of its championships being inaugurated in Germany in 2002. Selected competitors from each series meet in

4761-803: Was reintroduced in 1964 based on the Formula Junior rules and ran to 1970. These engines (a short-stroke unit based on the Ford Anglia with a special 2- valve Cosworth or Holbay OHV down-draught head , initially pioneered by Brian Hart, being by far the most efficient and popular) tended to rev very highly and were popularly known as "screamers"; F3 races tended to involve large packs of slipstreaming cars. The "screamer" years were dominated by Brabham , Lotus and Tecno , with March beginning in 1970. Early one-litre F3 chassis tended to descend from Formula Junior designs but quickly evolved. For 1971 new regulations allowing 1600 cc engines with

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