BRITISH F3000 1997

In 1997 an attempt was made to reintroduce the formula under its original British F3000 name, for the first time a 'spec' series run for the current Lola T96/50s used in the International series. It lasted just one race, due to lack of support and high running costs. Initially a reasonable number of teams pledged their support. Elide and Z-Speed planned to enter, the latter with Steven Arnold and possibly Martin Byford as drivers. Astromega planned to enter two cars, possibly with team boss Mikke van Hool, along with entries from Edenbridge, Nordic, DKS Racing and Redman & Bright.

Safety car leading Morelli, Rodriguez and Field

Rondriguez, Morelli, Field on the podium

The first race at Oulton Park had to be cancelled as the initial support faded. At Brands Hatch (left & right), Dino Morelli (DKS Racing) won from Gonzalo Rodriguez (Redman & Bright) and Tommy Field (DKS Racing), only three cars starting the race. Such was the lack of action on the track that the safety car was brought out halfway through, supposedly due to debris on the circuit!

Rodriguez (centre) with team bosses Bright and Redman, Brands Hatch

After initial hopes that teams and drivers from the over-subscribed International series would drop out and turn to British F3000, it was realised that the situation was hopeless and the series was cancelled. Both teams transferred their attentions to International F3000, entering one car each. Rodriguez showed flashes of brilliance in 1997, but only had half a point to show for his efforts with the rookie team (right). The Uruguayan went on to be a race winner with Astromega in 1998 and 1999, before his tragic death in qualifying for his second CART race. Dino Morelli's promising career was interrupted by a horrific crash at the Nurburgring in 1997. He then raced sporadically in F3000 for Auto Sport Racing (1998) and Coloni (1999) and won the final F3000 Italia round of 1999. He returned to the Italian series mid-way through 2000 with Durango Benetton Junior and also raced in International F3000 with WRT. Tommy Field, inexperienced at this level but talented in Formula Ford, raced briefly in British F3 with DKS following British F3000's failure. The Brands Hatch farce remains his only F3000 race to date.

ENTRY LIST 1997:

Entry list 1997

No.

Team

Driver

Chassis/Engine

1

DKS Racing

Tommy Field (GB)

Lola T96/50-Zytek

2

DKS Racing

Dino Morelli (GB)

Lola T96/50-Zytek

6

Redman & Bright

Gonzalo Rodriguez (UR)

Lola T96/50-Zytek

 

RACE RESULTS 1997:

Round 1, Brands Hatch, April 13th 1997

Gonzalo Rodriguez (Redman

A pitiful grid of three cars made it to the first race of 1997 which was also to be the last. The small entry meant the race laps were cut down from 35 to 26. Dino Morelli (DKS Racing) had been fastest in an official test session here earlier, although his only competition was inexperienced team mate Tommy Field, a Formula Ford graduate. In qualifying Morelli was fastest again, with Redman & Bright's Gonzalo Rodriguez second and Field in third. In the race the order would never change.

Morelli opened up a lead in his green Prosperity Management Lola, following a gearbox problem after 10 laps for Rodriguez's blue and yellow ANCAP car. Nevertheless Rodriguez was still able to pull away from Field. On lap 18 the safety car was sent out, supposedly due to debris on the track, although few believed this excuse! Once the safety car pulled back in, the bunched trio soon resumed the status quo, Morelli pulling away from Rodriguez with Field trailing in third. British F3000's debut had been a farce, and the next two rounds were duly postponed. Without the anticipated dropping-out of teams from International F3000 the series would not survive.

Round 1: Brands Hatch, April 13th 1997, 26 laps - 31.29 miles

Pos.

Driver

Team

Chassis/Engine

Time/laps

Grid

1

Dino Morelli (GB)

DKS Racing

Lola T96/50-Zytek

18m:19.38s

1

2

Gonzalo Rodriguez (UR)

Redman & Bright

Lola T96/50-Zytek

18:22.86

2

3

Tommy Field (GB)

DKS Racing

Lola T96/50-Zytek

18:25.58

3

No other starters

Fastest Lap: Morelli (39.38s, 110.02mph)

 

Championship abandoned...no further rounds. 

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