Formula 3 Championship - Zolder 1983

[René]

Talking about how nice those smaller race festivals are, I remembered I made some pictures at Zolder of a Formula 3 race. I do not always take pictures at these meetings but I did then. It is intersting to see how some of these drivers had very successful careers and others are forgotten.

This was the third round of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, circuit Heusden-Zolder on the 17th of april 1983.

Just a few tenner's entrance and access everywhere. Those were the days...

The start: Tommy Byrne (no.8) takes the lead from Emanuele Pirro (no.1), the eventual winner. On the second row Didier Theys (no.7, Marlboro car) and Gerhard Berger (no.19) who clocked the fastest lap of the race.

Ronnie Grant (Ralt RT3) and Roberto Ravaglia (Ralt Stebel) in the Jacky Ickx chicane.

Into the Sterrewachtbocht!

Dane Kristian Nissen (Anson SA4) and Belgium Marc Duez (Ralt RT3).

José Luis Llobell Lleo (Avidesa 383) and Harald Brutschin (Ralt Alfa RT3).

[chrisb]

wonderful Rene, what great photo's,
 I used to love F3, well, actually I still do and had intended to go to Donington last weekend but other things happened and I didn't make it, gosh it does make one think doesn't it and it does goes along with Rob's and Carl's comments about the choices we used to have to watch great motor racing, I used to drive to Silverstone from Bromley just to watch a F3 race, ok it was Senna vs Brundle but, that was a 3 hour drive - ah fond memories 

[robmarsh]

Great pics René. I used to follow F3 quite closely in those days. 1983 was a classic year all round.

[charleselan]

An excellent thread René along with some superb photos which really does take one back to those days when such a thing were possible to the spectator.

The Ralt RT3 was a simply brilliant little race car and many a big name cut their teeth in such a vehicle. That was in the days when F3 was a worthy category with a truly diverse field of constructors and engine providers. The names of the young drivers in your photos really do bring back memories, and most went on to become excellent drivers in the various classes that abounded in the 1980's.

Strangely as i write this comment my eyes stray down to the display cabinet alongside my office desk and on the bottom shelf is the excellent little Minichamps 1/43rd scale Ralt RT3 in Ayrton's Banerj colours that he used in the UK F3 series.

[charleselan]

Excellent banner image to this thread René. I was really doing a lot of photographic work in those days and i think the banner is of Martin Donnelly in the Cellnet sponsored Ralt; Damon Hill also drove four the team which featured quite a few drivers over the years. I shall have to look out some of my own pictures, but there are so many I have boxes full of slides prints both colour and B&W .

In one of your previous shots you have a guy called Ronnie Grant, he was an interesting character, probably in his 50's and competing with all the young bucks.

[René]

Yep, Martin Donnelly allright. It's nicer to have different banners in different sections isn't it. And wouldn't it be great to use photos made by our own members? So if you have pictures that could do well in a banner JC, send them over!

As for Ronnie Grant, I didn't know that story but an interesting story it is! I found this short film about this amazing man:

[charleselan]

Nov 17, 2018 10:14:15 GMT René said:

Yep, Martin Donnelly allright. It's nicer to have different banners in different sections isn't it. And wouldn't it be great to use photos made by our own members? So if you have pictures that could do well in a banner JC, send them over!

As for Ronnie Grant, I didn't know that story but an interesting story it is! I found this short film about this amazing man:

Well done for finding this little film René, very good indeed and so pleasant to see something about one of the lesser racing lights but a wonderful man, and all of 93 years now.