FIA European Formula Three Championship

Formula 3 is often regarded as a second hand class for young and hungry drivers, but actually it has over 50 years of colorful history and it has seen many new generations hoping to leave their own footmarks in one of the worlds most competitive racing classes. Competing in this international class is almost today the only way to gain the ultimate goal, Formula One class and glorious World Championship. The term Formula 3 was born in south England near Bristol soon after the second world war, when people wanted and needed a small, simple and cheap single seater racing car. New class made it less expensive and otherways easier for young drivers to enter the sport. Later a group of British racing enthusiasts formed the 500 Club (later BRSCC) with John Cooper as one of the founder members. The group built in Surrey a very small monoposto with a 500 cc and 45 horse power one cylinder motorcycle racing engine mounted behind the driver. The english JAP speedway engine was aircooled and it offered an excellent power-weight ratio.The weigth of car was just a bit over 200 kg. Top speed was around 160-180 km/h. Cooper was not the first F 3 make, but definitely the most successful. The first Cooper T 2 type car was built in the family garage of Charles Cooper in Surbiton, Surrey. It did use Fiat suspension componets and a solid rear axle by chain trough a motorcycle clutch and gearbox. The car driven by son John Cooper was unsuccessful at the first race in Prescott Hill, but a week later Cooper junior won his class at the Brighton Speed trials. Everyone was very surprised about that victory.. A second car, similar to the prototype, was built for Johns school friend Eric Brandon and interest was aroused to the extent that orders for 12 more cars were received. However, before these could be completed, a further dozen had been ordered. Space allocated to racing car construction encroached more and more upon the garage. And the staff, which numbered three in 1947, grew steadily to tents. The price of the first T 3 Mark I Cooper was excactly 500 pounds and driving cost were low too. The first JAP engine was almost unbeatable and very reliable when properly prepared. It was very cheap and was largely cooled by its methanol fuel. Best of all, maximum torque was at 3500 rpm, so the little rocket was easy to drive. JAP boss Teddy Prestwich from Tottenham was very proud of his engine, of course. In 1947 racing in Britain was confined mainly to hill climbs and speed trials, although an airfield race was held at Gransden Lodge, where Eric Brandon won the 500 cc class. This same driver scored wins at Shelsley, Prescott, Poole and Southsea. John Cooper also was successful in many continental races. He won tree times Formula 3 class in Rouen (F) and took gold from Monza (I) and Avus (D) too. The Cooper cars were now in serious production and for 1951 (T 15 Mark V) a new stiffer, lighter chassis was designed, using tubes in addition to box-section side members. Coopers own rack and pinion steering was fitted, and frontal area reduced. These changes were needed, for competition from ancien client Stirling Moss (Kieft) was intense. A further development of the 500 cc car was seen in 1952. For the first time an all-tubular, arcwelded frame was used, to increase rigidity ande reduce weight. There was an extended use of magnesium alloy castings. This material being employed for the final drive chain sprocket and its housing, rear hub carriers and brake back plates, as well as the integral wheels and brake drums. The net result was a saving of 10 % of weight. Lower rate springs were fitted to improve road holding. In fifties the number one engine was the double over head camshaft Norton Manx. Formula 3 class was adopted by the international organisaton FIA in 1950 and it received remarkable succes even on the continent race tracks. In Scandinavia the cars were called even "midgets". The name was loaned from US dirt tracks The new popular class was