F3 History

A disappointing field of six runners arrived for this Lombank round so the race was combined with Formule Libre and Clubmen’s cars. The Brabham BT35s of Brendan McInerney and Colin Vandervell were joint quickest in practice and proceeded to lead away from the flag chased by the March-Holbay 713M of Roger Williamson and Andy Sutcliffe in his Lotus-Holbay 69. McInerney was slowed by a failing battery eventually stopping but managing to restart and get to the finish albeit a lap down. Sutcliffe and Williamson had a good dice until gear selection problems towards the end of the race severely hampered Sutcliife. Poor Tim Goss (March 713M) missed the start due to a jammed starter motor when over efficient marshalls waved him off the track after a brief agreement Goss was allowed back on the track although by this time he had lost two and a half laps and was further hampered by a sticking throttle. Chris O’Brien gained some useful racing experience (as well as some Lombank points) by keeping out of everyone’s way on his way to fifth.