1985 BRDC International Trophy

The 37th BRDC International Trophy, was the opening round of the 1985 International Formula 3000. The inaugural was held at Silverstone, on 24 March.[1]

1985 BRDC International Trophy Grand Prix
Race details
Date 24 March 1985
Official name 37th BRDC International Trophy
Location Northamptonshire, Great Britain
Course Silverstone Circuit
Course length 4.719 km (2.932 miles)
Distance 44 laps, 207.636 km (129.008 miles)
Pole position
Driver Ralt-Cosworth
Time 1:17.92
Fastest lap
Driver Denmark John Nielsen Ralt-Cosworth
Time 1:27.64
Podium
First Ralt-Cosworth
Second Ralt-Cosworth
Third March-Cosworth

Report edit

Entry edit

A total of 17 F3000 cars were entered for the first ever event. Every new formula sets new questions and this one was no exception; some teams ran ex-Formula One machinery, while the Lola T950 was based upon an IndyCar design, whereas Ralt and March drew upon their Formula Two experience.[1][2]

Qualifying edit

Michel Ferté took pole position for Equipe Oreca, in their March Engineering-Cosworth 85B, averaging a speed of 135.404 mph.[1][3]

Race edit

The race was held over 44 laps of the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. Mike Thackwell wrote himself into the history books by winning the International Trophy for the third time and the first F3000 race in the process, driving a works Ralt RT20 from teammate John Nielsen in a similar car. Thackwell won in a time of 1hr 07:41.01mins., averaging a speed of 114.397 mph, with Nielsen over 34 seconds behind. The next three places were filled by March 85Bs in the hands of Michel Ferté, Christian Danner and Gabriele Tarquini, with the sixth place going to a Formula One Tyrrell 012, driven by Roberto Moreno.[2][3][4]

Classification edit

Race Result edit

Pos. No. Driver Entrant Car - Engine Time, Laps Reason Out
1st 1   Mike Thackwell Team Ralt Ralt-Cosworth RT20 1hr 07:41.01
2nd 2   John Nielsen Team Ralt Ralt-Cosworth RT20 1hr 08:13.35
3rd 3   Michel Ferté Oreca Motorsport March-Cosworth 85B 1hr 09:09.77
4th 8   Christian Danner BS Automotive March-Cosworth 85B 43
5th 13   Gabriele Tarquini Sanremo Racing Srl March-Cosworth 85B 42
6th 20   Roberto Moreno Barron Racing Tyrrell-Cosworth 012 42
7th 9   Emanuele Pirro Onyx Racing March-Cosworth 85B 41
8th 15   Alain Ferté Lola Motorsport Lola-Cosworth T950 41
9th 22   Mario Hytten Corbari Italia Lola-Cosworth T950 41
10th 7   Tomas Kaiser BS Automotive March-Cosworth 85B 39
NC 17   Thierry Tassin PMC Motorsport Williams-Cosworth FW08C 38
NC 18   Lamberto Leoni PMC Motorsport Williams-Cosworth FW08C 38
DNF 19   Claudio Langes Barron Racing Tyrrell-Cosworth 012 33 Electrical
DNF 5   Philippe Streiff Autos Gonfaronnaises Sportives AGS-Cosworth JH20 7 Suspension
DNF 10   Johnny Dumfries Onyx Racing March-Cosworth 85B 1 Accident
DNF 14   Alessandro Santin Sanremo Racing Srl March-Cosworth 85B 0 Accident
DNS 4   ”Pierre Chauvet” Onyx Racing March-Cosworth 85B Accident

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "European F3000 1985".
  2. ^ a b Peter Swinger, "Motor Racing Circuits in England : Then & Now" (Ian Allan Publishing, ISBN 0 7110 3104 5, 2008)
  3. ^ a b c "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "37th BRDC International Trophy".
  5. ^ http://www.ulitmateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=17627[permanent dead link]