MSV Formula 3 Racing Results : 2011

Spa Francorchamps| Race 3 | 9/10/11/12 June 2011

After Dave's last race at Donington, this engine, which had been down on power was found to have suffered severe detonation. The cost of the parts needed to rebuild the engine, were prohibitively high. Luckily Spiess, the original engine supplier had a new engine available at a more reasonable price.

Sadly the new engine was not available in time for the two races at Snetterton at the end of May, and Dave was not able to take part in them.

The highlight of the year promised to be the double header at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. At 7Kms, climbing and descending through the heavily wooded Ardennes Region, it is widely considered to be the best racing circuit in the world. For these races, the MSV F3 Cup would be combined with the Austrian F3 Championship and fifty drivers entered what was to become the largest Formula 3 grid for over ten years.

Testing was held at the circuit on Thursday 9th June. The F3 and F Renault cars were sharing the track with slower Sports 2000 and FF1600 cars. The circuit was so crowded, that it was impossible to set meaningful laps time, due to constantly being delayed by passing slower cars.

After two sessions, the circuit management declared that all the F3 and F Renault cars were too loud, and not allowed to take part in the final test session. Nevertheless, it was clear to Dave that the new engine, the car and he were going really well, and that a good race meeting was in prospect for the team.

Two qualifying sessions were held on Friday, one to determine the grid positions for Saturday's race and the other for the second round which was to be held on Sunday.

The track was cooler on Saturday morning, so the car ran with more wing angle to increase the downforce, allowing the tyres to get hotter and therefore increase grip. A small problem with the rear dampers created a minor handling problem, but it was enough to not allow Dave to have confidence in the car. Therefore his best lap time of 2min 26.4 secs. put him 16th on the grid of 43 cars and 6th in the MSV section. Rain before the second qualifying session left the track slightly damp, but only one car went out on wet tyres, although he came in to change to slicks at the end of the first lap. The surface soon dried and Dave felt able to attack the circuit more and consequently finished in 12th and 5th respectively.

Unusually the races were to be rolling starts. This involves the field being led around the circuit in formation by a pace car, which peels off before the start line, so that the pack travelling at about 80 kph stay in formation until the lights turn green signalling the start. The sight of 43 cars all in tight formation weaving from side to side and braking violently to warm tyres and brakes was amazing. At the start Dave was in the middle of the pack, he said it was the most crowded start he'd ever been in. He kept putting his car into gaps with others either side of him. He expected gaps to close and have his front wings or wheels knocked off any moment. However, everybody made it through La Source Hairpin and down the hill, through the daunting Eau Rouge corner. Dave passed quite a few cars and made up about six places in the first few laps.

An incident, leaving a car stranded on the track, brought out the safety car, which the field formed up behind and followed for a couple of laps while the car was cleared from the circuit. At the re start, Dave passed two more cars, so at the finish had climbed to 6th overall and 3rd in the British section. Aaron Steele won the MSV F3 Cup race, with Matt Draper second and Karaskas third. They were 3rd, 5th and 6th overall.

The podium ceremony was a full blown affair, with the British National Anthem, and Union Flags for the British drivers, with Trophies, Champagne and flowers.

At the start of Sunday's race, Dave initially got away well, passing Kat Impy, but he then got boxed in at La Source and Impy found a gap down the inside. A collision between two Austrians right in front of Impy and Karaskas half way round the first lap brought out the safety car again. At the restart, Dave was able to take Eau Rouge flat in top and drew up alongside Kat, but with the inside line, she was able to outbrake him into Les Combes. She gradually drew away and eventually passed Matt Draper to finish 3rd in MSV behind Aaron Steele and Chris Needham. Karaskas came home 5th behind Draper.

Aaron Steele went one better than Saturday's race by beating all the Austrian drivers to win the race outright.

The next outing for the MSV F3 Cup is on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 16th and 17th July.