|
|
|
Because there was no important International championship series, the attention and respect was focused on few individual Formula 3 races, which manage to gather well-reputed race drivers all over the world to compete each other. Street races of Monaco and Macao has gained their own level above other races and also during the British GP droved Formula 3 race is respected more than other British championship races. In 1990’s also the Marlboro Masters-race in Zandvoort, Netherlands has risen attention and allured top drivers from championships of various countries. The Monte Carlo Formula 3 race, named Grand Prix is a classic. The first Formula 3 -races with 500 cc engines on this famous track were drove in the beginning of 1950’s, but the roots of a long series like nowadays start from may 1959. The first Formula Junior-class race was drove then. Michel May won it with red Italian Stanguellini, the minisized Ferrari.
In the following year over 150 drivers entered for race, but only small portion were allowed to enter qualifications. Also the fast development of this class was seen clearly as the new British back-engine cars made 10 seconds better lap-times than cars in the past year. This race’s brightest star was undoubtedly young Scottish driver Jim Clark with Lotus 18 Ford. Even though he didn’t won the race, public was to hear much more of him later on. Finnish hero Curt Lincoln with his white Cooper BMC was placed on fifth that year. The secret of Monaco’s success is the Formula 1 class Grand Prix that is held at the same weekend. Because of that all the important and influential team chiefs and sponsors could look for new talents in the smaller classes. Many of the young winners of Monaco Formula 3 Grand Prix has later become well known Formula 1–drivers and champions. After 1960’s many British drivers has boycott the Monaco race because the race organisers were seen to favour Continents and especially French teams and drivers.
Far East Another Formula 3 classic is driven on the narrow streets of Macau, the old Portuguese settlement in China. Its attraction is based on the meeting of south and east as well as the great fortunes offered by organisers. Macau’s Formula 3 race has a place on the leading team’s calendars after the actual season has ended. On the winning list of Macao one can find many Formula 1 champions. Macau’s race differs from other races as it is driven in two sections. The winner is the driver that has spent less summarised driving time. Position does not count so in theory the race can be won without a single first place position. Faster classes than Formula 3 cannot be used in Macao, because the street track is partly so narrow that only guard rails separate racetrack from spectators. There is no room for turning outs and during crashes the whole track is often totaly blocked. Macao’s race differs also from other races as many year formal Formula 3 drivers which have found their place on F 1 teams come back to challenge the new generation of drivers. Many of these show-offs has left for home head down after they have tasted the bitter pill of defeat With the smoke factory’s moneys held race, Marlboro Masters, in the old Formula 1 track Zandvoort started with low noise, but every year its appreciation has risen. Nowadays it gathers to the middle of the sand dynes the best F 3 drivers from England, Germany and Italy.
|
 |
|||||||||
Seppo "Kessu" Nieminen in his Vantaa garage.
