F3 History

Once again it was Gunnar Nilsson who leapt into the lead with Patrick Neve making a great start to slot into second followed by Danny Sullivan and Alex Ribeiro. Suddenly on the third lap the race was stopped, Rupert Keegan’s March stripped second gear at the start, his slowing March was struck on the left front wheel by Tony Rouff’s Ehrlich and both cars spun into the barrier with Rouff’s car being launched over Keegan’s. The red flags were shown when it was clear that Keegan was trapped by his foot in the car and needed to be cut out, fortunately his injuries were relatively light, a broken toe and heavy bruising to his legs and feet.
The race was restarted with Nilsson once again taking the lead but this time Ribeiro and Sullivan filled second and third ahead of Neve. The Safir seemed faster that the Modus in a straight line and it didn’t take Neve long to pass Sullivan. Nilsson was extending his lead at the front and his task was made easier as Ribeiro spun at the chicane on the sixth lap, both Neve and Sullivan were badly held up in avoiding the rotating Brazilian. Sullivan recovered the fastest to take second although once again after four laps of chasing the Modus Neve’s speed advantage gave him second. Neve chased after Nilsson who backed off a little to save his tyres but he had the race well in hand and the Swede came home by two seconds to claim the win, Sullivan took third from a fast closing Hervé Regout.
Those out of luck included Ian Taylor whose engine overheated again, Chris Barnett retired with a broken rocker and Ingo Hoffman who was out after three laps with his throttle stuck open.