British F3 cars

New regulations from motor sport’s governing body, the FIA, sees a new breed of Formula 3 machinery in action from 2012. The first launched is from Italian chassis designer Dallara, the F312, which made its public debut in January at the Autosport International show.

The new car features a number of improvements over the outgoing model, which will race on in the National class of British F3. Dallara says key points include:

• Improved safety, with headrest and side intrusion protection similar to Formula 1 standards and featuring 16-layer Zylon side panels
• Greater economy thanks to improved quality, which Dallara says is a key factor in increasing the life of components, adding that the brakes, simplified bodywork and gearbox will all be easier to manage and offer reduced running costs
• Completely new front suspension with torsion bar road springs, designed both to be compact and light and to fit inside the monocoque in front of the pedals
• Thoroughly reworked rear suspension with greater rigidity and enhanced performance
• Upgraded front and rear uprights and hubs better matched to the car’s levels of performance

As in previous seasons, the International class cars are powered by 2-litre, four-cylinder “stock block” engines from two manufacturers – Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

NATIONAL CLASS
Designed to attract younger and less experienced talent to British Formula 3, the National class is based around the chassis which competed at the top level of the series between 2010 and 2011. For this season some of the expensive aerodynamics ahve been jettisoned to establish a more level playing field for teams and drivers, and in order to reduce running and repair costs.

All cars in the National class must be powered by Neil Brown Engineering-tuned versions of the proven, powerful and reliable Mugen Honda engine.