British Formula F3

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What is Formula 3

Like scaled-down versions of Formula 1 cars, Formula 3 cars are technically advanced single-seaters with aerodynamic wings at the front and rear, and slick tyres giving high cornering speeds and exciting race action. An international formula, F3 is run to a set of regulations issued by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Chassis
Teams are free to use any chassis conforming to the FIA’s regulations, but in recent years in the Green Flag British Formula 3 Championship, all teams have used chassis manufactured by the Italian Dallara company. Chassis construction is mainly of a carbon-kevlar composite, with panels in Nomex and aluminium. Covering bodywork is of carbon-fibre strengthened with a Nomex honeycomb and other composites.

Suspension
Suspension is by pushrods front and rear and is fully adjustable
Wheelbase: 2610mm
Front track: 1500mm
Rear track: 1430mm

Engines
Engines must be no more than two litres in capacity, and based on a production engine with the block and cylinder head casting remaining the same, although the rest of the engine may be extensively modified. Engine power is controlled by limiting the amount of air the engine can use for combustion – all air going into the engine must pass through a restrictor of 24mm diameter.
Type: 2 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, twin overhead cam
Max power: 210bhp at 6500rpm
Max torque: 230 N/m at 5700 rpm
Engines used in the British F3 Championship are from manufacturers such as Renault, Honda, Opel and Toyota.   

Gearbox
Five speed non-syncromesh plus reverse.

Tyres
The series uses a control tyre manufactured by Avon Tyres Racing, suppliers to the championship since 1982. Available in slick or wet form, each driver is allowed two sets of slicks per meeting.

Performance
Top speed 158mph (dependent on circuit and gearing)
0-60mph 3.0 sec
130-50mph 2.8 sec (2.5G deceleration)

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