Topspeed Racing
Cheshire based Topspeed Racing run their 2001 Dallara F3 in the Motor Sports Vision MSV Formula 3 Cup
MSV Formula 3 Cup
The MSV Formula 3 Cup, previously the BRSCC F3 & ARP Championship, is organised and promoted by Motor Sports Vision Racing and aims to make genuine Formula 3 racing come within the financial reach of the majority of club racers.
Although the racecars are identical to those run in their respective years in the British Formula 3 Championship, the annual budget for an MSV F3 team is about 6% of that required for teams competing in British F3. Therefore, club competitors have the opportunity to race modern F3 cars at a fraction of their normal operating costs. Indeed, MSV F3 is the only series where Formula 3 cars are raced without modification and according to the F3 rules for the year each chassis was built.
This season the fitness of drivers and excellent car preparation continues to be a significant feature. As all of the qualification sessions and races are 25 minutes duration it is not a championship for the poorly prepared or faint-hearted driver!
Follow these link for further Championship information:
http://www.msvracing.co.uk/cars/msv-f3-cup.aspx
The Team:
- Driver: Steve Clegg
- Race Engineer: Martin Dawson
- Mechanic: Howard Smith
Topspeed Racing
After many seasons success in Formula Ford 1600, where the team scored several race wins & podiums, in 2003 the team moved up to Formula 3 and ran a Reynard 863 in the then ARP F3 Championship, later to become BRSCC F3 and now MSV F3 Cup. Despite often being outclassed by the modern 2000 Dallara cars, the team often brought their 1986 car home ahead of most of the field, most notably scoring a 3rd place at Oulton Park and 2nd place in a wet race at a thoroughly drenched Donington Park Circuit in 2004.
In early 2005, having disposed of their 2 Reynard race cars, the team purchased an almost unused 2001 Dallara and spent most of that year rebuilding the car and sourcing a suitable Renault engine, as the car was originally powered by Mugen Honda, this was an undertaking which involved having many new parts specially made. Finally, the car rolled out of the workshop race ready, just days ahead of the 2006 season opener at Oulton Park where Steve managed to qualify 2nd on the grid, only to retire mid-race with a gearbox failure.
Throughout most of the 2007 season, this became a familiar format for the team's race weekend; qualifying often on the front row, only to be dogged in the race by minor problems. However, their misfortune changed at Silverstone in August, when, after qualifying a lowly 6th place, Steve scored the team's maiden F3 win, confirmation that their effort over the last 18 months had eventually paid off.
For 2008 the team had the benefit of new Renault power and Steve scored more podium finishes at Silverstone and Oulton Park.
The 2009 season brought more success with four qualifying pole positions at Oulton Park and Brands Hatch and race poduims at Oulton Park and Angelsey Race Circuit
After another engine rebuild the 2010 season was a quiet year for the team and they only entered two races at Brands Hatch. Unfortunatley teething problems with the new engine curtailed the qualifying and Steve could only manage two 5th place results.
With the championship revitalised under the wing of Motor Sport Vision the 2011 season looks set to be one of the most competitive yet as the F3 Cup has been positioned as the pinnacle club level single seater series in the UK. The first race meeting is scheduled for 19 & 20 March with further rounds at Brands Hatch, Donington, Oulton Park and Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. Race reports will follow...
- 19/20 March - Snetterton 300
- 2/3 April - Donington Park
- 2 May - Snetterton 300
- 10/11/12 June - Spa Francorchamps
- 16/17 July - Brands Hatch Indy
- 20/21 August - Brands Hatch GP
- 10/11 September - Anglesey International
- 1/2 October - TBC
- 22 October - Oulton Park International
Call us free on: 0800 856 2464 www.topspeedcouriers.co.uk
