REVIEW ; CLASSIC F3
The season opened at Donington
Smith on a March
Andy Smith was the class of the Classic F3 Championship and ran out a worthy champion in his March 783 , as Richard Ranson reports .
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Young Benn Tilley , the 2020 champion in Simon Hadfield ’ s March 743 , returned to defend his title at the first 2021 meeting , the Masters meeting at Donington on Good Friday . Connor Murphy in the ex- Mike White March 803 and Andy Smith who had both shown prodigious speed at the 2020 Silverstone Finals would be tough competitors for his title over the 12 race season . Lee Cunningham , a previous Donington winner , made a welcome return at Donington and Oulton Park in Nick Edginton ’ s Dallara 381 . Shaun Hollamby was a new addition to the grid in the March 803 raced by his father Olly in Super Vee in 1980 and went quicker at each outing . Clive Wood , a Clubman ’ s / HF2 competitor had acquired Jon Finch ’ s Ralt RT1 and he was joined by CF3 regulars , two-time champion Keith White ( Ralt RT1 ), Anthony Hancock ( Lola T670 ) and Hugh Price ( Chevron B38 ).
Anthony Hancock in the rare Lola
Chris Whittingham ’ s URS Royale RP30
Seven Classic FF2000 cars were on the grid led by the very fast Murray Shepherd who became the class pacesetter as the season developed and was often able to see off some of the CF3 cars . The Classic FF2000 cars blend well with the CF3 cars and are a fine addition to the grids .
Murphy and Smith took a win each at Donington but the duel was curtailed at the next round at Snetterton where Connor buzzed his engine in qualifying and was forced to sit out the season . Tilley beat Smith to win race two at Snetterton and also won race one at Brands , but the rest of the race wins belonged to Smith who became 2021 champion .
“ Smith was a worthy Champion from Tilley who raced a good campaign ”
Travel restrictions with Scotland kept Graham Brunton and his two closely matched Ralt RT3 regulars David Thorburn and Fraser Gray away from the first two meetings but they were ever present at the front for the rest of the season and were joined by fellow Scot Stephen Barlow in a Van Diemen
RF82 whose speed earned him the runner up spot in Class D of
FF2000 . Richard Cooke ( ex-Korton March 793 ) joined the grids at Brands , Oulton and the Finals going especially well at Oulton in race two . Neil Jenkins was a regular in his beautiful ex-Gabbiani Chevron B38 and improved as he got used to the car . Paul
Dibden , a CF3 regular , spent time set up testing and was rewarded with a strong fifth place in the dry race one at the Finals . Clive Wood , having acquired Hugh Price ’ s Chevron , gave his daughter Pippa the chance to race the RT1 and she distinguished herself at Brands and the Finals .
Smith was a worthy Champion from Tilley who raced a good campaign and missed the finals for a drive at Goodwood . White and Hancock tied for third place having raced season long at the front of the field . Chris Wittingham won Class C of Classic FF2000 from Jon Finch .
French and European cars will join our 2022 grids at Brands Legends and the Silverstone Classic and an exciting UK / European calendar is being arranged . We need the quick youngsters like Murphy and Tilley , and any other prospective CF3 drivers , to take the challenge to the incredible Smith and make 2022 a memorable season .