Since our last newsletter at the end of January, February and the early part of March, have proved to be an interesting time. We had Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park, where Simon Hadfield’s BAF March 743 was on display on the HSCC stand. I thought it was a wonderful show and the HSCC gave CF3 a good showing. On the Friday there were several CF3 faces at the bar and I was disappointed to learn from Matthew Sturmer that he is having problems with his ex-Tommy Byrne RT3 obtaining a new petrol tank. Hopefully this will not delay him too long and we will see him out at Silverstone, if not at Cadwell.

Richard Ranson was able to pick up the vacuum tester, which Richard Trott had acquired and is now being calibrated although it needs the pump repaired or replaced. Therefore, we hope to have it ready for Cadwell weekend and Richard will post news on the progress of the vacuum tester on the website.

Earlier this week the list of accepted entries for the Monaco Formula 3 Race were revealed. For the first race two years ago there were 41 accepted entries and 38 cars made the grid. This time there are 49 accepted entries, how many will make the grid, only time will tell. It took only 6 laps of a 10 lap race for the leaders to come across the back markers in 2010 and this time it’s an 18 lap race!

Richard Trott heads the list of UK CF3 runners and is supported by Iain Rowley, who will be driving Colin Painter’s Oliroy and Jonathan Price in his March 793. Simon Hadfield’s BAF March will be peddled by Richard Piper and David Shaw who has acquired the ex-Nelson Piquet Ralt RT1, who hopes to join us this season after Monaco, is also in. Peter Meyrick is in the with the ex-Elio de Angelis Chevron B38, raced last time by our own Paul Smith and Eje Elgh a name from Formula 3 and Formula 2 in the ‘70’s will be racing his original “Plastic Padding” Chevron B38 that he raced at Monaco in ’77 and which he acquired from Alex Ames. Rob Moores, former CF3 Champion is in his ex-Derek Daly Chevron B38. Rising star Ben Barker is in the Peter Hiscocks Lola T670 and Richard Smeeton will be in Marcus Mussa's Modus M1, which hopefully he will then campaign with us for the rest of the season. Matthew Sturmer's old Van Diemen has also gained its second entry, this time in the hands of its new French owner. 49 accepted cars from a total of 80 entries, looks good for Classic Formula 3.

Whilst inevitably the Monaco entry is made up of many “celebrity drivers” there is a good core of French and British entries in the field and that bodes well for the prospect of a Euro Series in 2013. I am continuing discussions with Bernard Honorrat of the French Series about this and we are beginning to piece together some ideas for 2013 races.

As everyone knows, Brands will be this year’s invitation race with the French and there will be 20 places for us and 20 for the French. Unlike last year, we will carefully monitor the UK entries ensuring that our regular Championship competitors and registered members get entries.

Donington is now only a week or so away and the disappointing entry in both CF3 and the Derek Bell race has led the HSCC to combine them together in the race. The HSCC has assured me that the CF3 race will not be shortened from 20 minutes, so the length of the race will be gauged on the leading CF3 car.

I think we all agree that the middle of March is a bit too early to be getting our cars out to go racing, so we must next year have a serious look at our calendar to ensure that the first race for CF3 is not so early; maybe Cadwell would be the opening round.

We will obviously lose a few of our regulars who are going to Monaco at the Cadwell Park round, but it is a good opportunity for everybody else to come out. Plenty of track time with testing on the Friday, qualifying and a race on the Saturday and another race on the Sunday. It should give us all a good weekend. A little bit of fine weather and a nice BBQ will set us in good stead for the rest of the season!

See you there.

Finally, an update on membership which currently stands at 23 members paid up but with more than 30 registered for the championship we need your subscription now, if not already sent. A registration form is available on the website download page with return address at the bottom or you can pay direct to our account by bank transfer.

Hugh Price

Chairman