British F3 Rockingham

[Richard B]

After 2 overseas rounds the British F3 series returns to the UK this weekend at Rockingham.

Event Preview
http://www.formula3.co/news/rockingh...rmula-3-battle

Prov Timetable
http://www.rockingham.co.uk/raceeven...June2012-2.pdf

[Richard B]

Test session this morning (no doubt wet and windy) Sainz Jr fastest follwed by Derani and Van Asseldonk. Seem like only 13 cars were out!

[bella]

if it's as soggy here as it is there, i don't blame them!

who was on the pace here in pre-season testing? was there such a thing as a dry session?

[Richard B]

Back in March fastest on the second day was Tincknel, Harvey & Sainz; Deraini was only 10th. Since it's forecast to be dry tomorrow (please!) maybe the March test is a better benchmarck.

[Richard B]

Rockingham Friday test times AM/PM.
Interesting that the 2 quickest this morning Sainz and Derani were both slower than their morning times this afternoon:

1 Alex LYNN / GBR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 39.336s / 1m 36.935s
2 Pietro FANTIN / BRA, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 39.238s / 1m 37.664s
3 Hannes VAN ASSELDONK / NED, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 38.895s / 1m 38.021s
4 Felix SERRALLES / PUR, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 40.905s / 1m 38.061s
5 Carlos SAINZ / ESP, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 38.193s / 1m 38.959s
6 Jack HARVEY / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 39.231s / 1m 38.641s
7 Harry TINCKNELL / GBR, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 39.239s / 1m 38.711s
8 Pipo DERANI / BRA, Fortec Dallara-Mercedes 1m 38.770s / 1m 38.841s
9 Nick McBRIDE / AUS, T-Sport Dallara-Nissan 1m 39.940s / 1m 38.876s
10 Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS, Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m 39.187s / 1m 38.906s
11 Geoff UHRHANE / AUS, Double R Dallara-Mercedes 1m 41.124s / 1m 40.371s
12 Fahmi ILYAS / MAS, Double R Dallara-Mercedes 1m 40.652s / 1m 40.450s

National class
1 Spike GODDARD / AUS, T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m 44.984s / 1m 42.090s
2 Duvashen PADAYACHEE / AUS, Double R Dallara-Mugen 1m 45.628s / 1m 42.184s

[CATMAN]

Not surprised to see Derani slower in second session, think he lacks strength. Still looks pretty dire, T-Sport car circulating along with 2xR S**** and the B class is a joke with just the 2 cars.
T-Sport & 2xR can always hope that the others fall off as they show little improvement.

[Juntos]

What is the point of racing in National Class? Waiting for the fallout.

[CATMAN]

Originally Posted by Juntos

What is the point of racing in National Class? Waiting for the fallout.

Well for the two contenders this year they'll always be able to say that they came 1st or 2nd in a British F3 championship

[Go_For_Pole]

So nice to see Jazeman and Jack on top of the standings, top guys and great drivers. Come on boys!

[edenrace]

Most drivers run for 2 years in F3 as it is one of the rare series where you can work on developing your car. Therefore a first year in the National car can be up to 40% cheaper than running in the International class....same,tyres,tracks, gearbox ,brakes etc

[edenrace]

Oh and it did not harm Sergio Perez ...British F3 National Champion 2007

[CATMAN]

There are obviously the financial savings for doing National class but the driver still has to change to a different F3 car if he does International the next year and compete with others who have already done a season in the International car.
If there were 4 or more national class cars competing there could be just a tad of credibility. Padayachee tweets and team and fota retweets on winning and fastest lap is pretty lame when there is only him and Goddard in the hunt. I might as well get my 80 year ex racer uncle in to his old nomex suit and stick him in a national class F3. He couldn't do any worse than P3

[REALIST]

Originally Posted by CATMAN

Not surprised to see Derani slower in second session, think he lacks strength.

He was less than one tenth slower in the pm! How does that add up to a lack of strength?

[edenrace]

Sadly 2 drivers who should be running in National Class cannot , one damaged his back in a F Renault and the others father is seriously ill in Japan. However a third car should be running from Brands on, with a fourth possible for Snetterton.

[Felipe]

I would say historically, National Class was a place where young drivers could correct their development. I mean, at 1990s and early 2000s, in places like Central America, Asia and even Africa there were no good junior series. So, a good driver, like Pérez, could go to National Class where he learned how to drive properly.

However, I think it's unecessary right now. There are such good championships at these places and F-Renault grid is becoming something like global.

I think the most obvious reason to have a National Class is to sell bigger grids to TV. The normal watcher will see an almost 15-car pack and will think that's good.

[CATMAN]

It is very sad for the guys who couldn't drive, but that's not relevant re the National class now being very lame. Another couple of drivers pitching up part way through the season is likely to make the end of season National Class result more ludicrous.
The two classes of British F3 together are still doing little to put paying bums on seats and it's not providing a lot of spectacle to attract more drivers next year.
Also in the International class there are also some very poor performances so far and that's not going to help the prospects for some in British F3.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by edenrace

Sadly 2 drivers who should be running in National Class cannot , one damaged his back in a F Renault and the others father is seriously ill in Japan. However a third car should be running from Brands on, with a fourth possible for Snetterton.

Well "predicted".
Adderly Fong is returning to the series in his old International Class car (now a National Class car) run by Hywel Lloyd's CF Racing. Apparently he will race at Brands Spa and Snet, "to get some more f3 miles under his belt".

[jondownunder]

Slightly off-topic but I saw in Autosport that Alex Lynn will be doing this weekend's Spa round of F3 Cup in order to gain circuit experience.

[Lanan]

Originally Posted by jondownunder

Slightly off-topic but I saw in Autosport that Alex Lynn will be doing this weekend's Spa round of F3 Cup in order to gain circuit experience.

and he did a pretty good job...

[tristancliffe]

News Just In - semi-pro driver with lots more seat time/experience/talent better than amateurs

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

News Just In - semi-pro driver with lots more seat time/experience/talent better than amateurs

There's no shame anymore. Sad to see a driver with his limitless resources dropping down to mess up another series just for "experience".

[tristancliffe]

I sort of agree (although I'm biased and it could be considered resentment). Had he not been there then I'd have had a couple of podiums, which would have been a culmination of a dream - Spa F1 podium with the national anthem playing...

I also don't really see what he learnt that he wouldn't already have known - an older F3 car, different tyres, different competitors (so no frame of reference) won't help him very much at all on the BF3 grid.

But I have it on good authority that he's a genuinely nice bloke who is interested (or at least good at feigning interest) in the racing people around him, and not an arrogant better-than-you teenager. And because of that I can almost forgive him

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

But I have it on good authority that he's a genuinely nice bloke who is interested (or at least good at feigning interest) in the racing people around him, and not an arrogant better-than-you teenager. And because of that I can almost forgive him

I'm sure he is a charming young chap. Just badly advised, that's all.

Personally I hate people "dropping down" to screw up another series just because they can. It's bending the rules just because you have the money.

If you want to learn Spa and you can't test go on a Sim. That's what most people do and that's what they're for.

[bella]

do either of you think that there's a benefit to be had from the fact a driver from a pro series for a round or two of their choosing is a new benchmark? (sorry, i can't brain that right in english)

it's almost like the series needs rules so that data from his (and any other current f3 series or above drivers) fastest qualifying lap should be available to everyone to have a look at and see what the fuss is about or something...

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by bella

do either of you think that there's a benefit to be had from the fact a driver from a pro series for a round or two of their choosing is a new benchmark? (sorry, i can't brain that right in english)

it's almost like the series needs rules so that data from his (and any other current f3 series or above drivers) fastest qualifying lap should be available to everyone to have a look at and see what the fuss is about or something...

No.

No benefit at all. Too much disparity regarding age and models of cars, engines etc.

He's trying to earn a living from motor sport. Good luck to him but he should allow others with full time jobs to indulge their passions without interference. It is a little disrespectful imho.

What next? Let's have Wayne Rooney showing up at a Sunday League match to "learn the pitch" and score 10 goals? Pathetic.

If his managers had any sense of honour he would have had a "misfire" on the penultimate lap and pitted. Or pulled off somewhere safe and "stalled the car".

It's all a bit Harry Enfield for me I'm afraid....