Race Report: Mallory Park, 14 March 1971

Britain’s first ever 1600cc F3 race boasted an 18 car entry for this first round of the Lombank Championship, unfortunately only 4 arrived! Bev Bond’s works Ensign wasn’t quite finished in time whilst Tom Walkinshaw decided to miss the race as his March 713 didn’t seem quick enough. When he arrived at the track and found the new 1600s were a second a lap slower than the 1-litre cars he decided he might have been a bit hasty.

Pole position for the race went to James Hunt in his works run Rose Bearings March 713S with Colin Vandervell’s Castrol sponsored works Brabham BT35 second, Roger Williamson (March 713M) next and Brendan McInerney (Brabham BT35) bringing up the rear in his unsorted car.

Due to the small number of starters the F Fords that had raced earlier were invited out for another run which as Vandervell’s oil-pump drive sheared in the paddock was probably a very good idea. At the start Hunt disappeared into the distance whilst Williamson got boxed in behind some F Fords, only managing to get past on the penultimate lap. McInerney was black flagged for loose suspension and spent two laps in the pits but still finished 3rd in class.

After the race a plug in the airbox were scrutineers check the vacuum was found to be missing from Hunt’s car so the results were announced provisionally pending an RAC inquiry. As a result of this investigation Hunt was subsequently disqualified.

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