MotorSport Vision Formula Three Cup
 F3 Cup Logo | |
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Inaugural season | 1986 (as Toyota F3 Championship) |
| Folded | 2022 |
| Constructors | Dallara Lola TOM'S[1] |
| Engine suppliers | Opel Toyota Renault Mitsubishi Mugen Honda Honda[1] |
| Official website | https://www.f3-cup.co.uk/ |
The MotorSport Vision Formula Three Cup, abbreviated as MSV F3 Cup, was a national motor racing series that took place primarily in the United Kingdom, with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It was a club racing series aimed towards amateur drivers and aspiring racers, and used older generation single-seater Formula Three cars to keep costs low. The F3 Cup had three classes covering cars built between 1981 and 2011.[2][3] The series was organised by MotorSport Vision, and in 2015 it was the only Formula Three series in the United Kingdom. In 2021, Monoposto Racing Club took over the series, and Hardall International began sponsoring it.
History
[edit]The precursor of the MSV F3 Cup was the Toyota F3 Championship, which was founded in 1986 as a racing series for Formula Three cars using Toyota engines. Four years later, in 1990, the Toyota F3 Championship was renamed to ARP F3 Championship. It ran for 16 years before being taken over by the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC). After the transfer, BRSCC renamed ARP F3 as Club F3. In 2009, Club F3 was renamed to BRSCC F3. Later, the championship was saved by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), which is the racing division of MotorSport Vision. In 2011, MSVR renamed BRSCC F3 as MSV F3 Cup and relaunched it.[2][4][5]
For 2012, the club obtained championship status and from then on became known as F3 Cup.[6]
In 2021, Monoposto Racing Club took over MSV F3 Cup, and the series was renamed as F3 Cup Championship. Hardall International also began sponsoring the championship.[5]
The 2022 season was cancelled due to a lack of entries and protracted discussions on the composition of the championship.[4]
Equipment
[edit]Teams were allowed to use Formula Three chassis built after 1980 but before 2005.[2] This allowed teams to enter with cheaper equipment.[7] The series uses a control tyre which all drivers must use. The tyres are supplied by Avon Tyres, whose parent company supply tyres to the British Formula 3 Championship.[8] Engines would be two-litre, restricted engines, also built between 1981 and 2005.[9]
Due to the mix in ages, and therefore competitiveness of cars, the championship ran three classes.
Formula Three chassis built between 2008 and 2011 were eligible to enter the main championship from 2015.[3]
- Cup Class: For cars and engines built and raced between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2007, with a maximum engine air restriction of 26 mm (1.0 in) diameter. From 2012, Toyota "Long Life" engines from the European F3 Open (now Euroformula Open Championship) were eligible with a 31 mm (1.2 in) restrictor. Opel "Long Life" engines were also permitted.
- Trophy Class: For cars and engines built and raced between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1996, with a maximum engine air restriction of up to 26 mm (1.0 in) diameter.
- Masters Class: For cars and any engines built and raced between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 1991, with a maximum engine air restriction of up to 25 mm (0.98 in) diameter.
- Guest Class: for other Formula Three cars joined the series or a single event under permission from the organising team.[9]
Champions
[edit]In 2011, F3 Cup was run as a series, not as a championship. There was a prize for the most meritorious driver, which was deemed to be Aaron Steele. The MSA granted F3 Cup championship status for 2012 onwards.
| Season | Overall Champion | Cup Class | Trophy Class | Team Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Chris Dittmann[10]
|
Tristan Cliffe[11]
|
Chris Dittmann[10]
|
Omicron Motorsport[12] |
| 2013 | Alex Craven[13]
|
Alex Craven
|
Dave Karaskas[14]
|
Mark Bailey Racing[15] |
| 2014 | Toby Sowery[16]
|
Toby Sowery[16]
|
 Oliver Rae[17]
|
Omicron Motorsport[18] |
| 2015 | Aaron Steele[19]
|
Aaron Steele[19]
|
Adrian Holey[19]
|
Chris Dittmann Racing[19] |
| 2016 | George Line
|
George Line
|
James Ledamun
|
CF Racing |
| 2017 |  Jacopo Sebastiani[20]
|
Jacopo Sebastiani[20]
|
Adrian Holey[20]
|
CF Racing[20] |
| 2018 |  Cian Carey[21]
|
Cian Carey[21]
|
Ben Cater[21]
|
Chris Dittmann Racing[21] |
| 2019 | Cian Carey[22]
|
CF Racing[22] | ||
| 2020 | Stefano Leaney[23]
|
CF Racing[23] | ||
| 2021 | Stefano Leaney
|
Shane Kelly
|
CF Racing |
Events
[edit]The championship comprised eight rounds, each with two races. Each race weekend comprised one 20-minute qualifying session and two or three 20-minute or 30-minute races.
The 2021 season featured six rounds, all held in England.[24]
| Round | Circuit | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silverstone National
|
15–16 May |
| 2 | Castle Combe
|
12–13 June |
| 3 | Oulton Park
|
24 July |
| 4 | Brands Hatch Indy
|
21–22 August |
| 5 | Donington GP
|
18–19 September |
| 6 | Snetterton 300
|
25 September |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "MSV F3 Cup entry lists released for Snetterton". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "MSVR Launches MSV F3 Cup in 2011". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ a b "F3 Cup to allow newer chassis in 2015". Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ a b Wood, Ida (31 January 2022). "F3 Cup called off for this year, but planning a 2023 return". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ a b "2021 F3 Cup Championship". Monoposto Racing Club. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "F3 Cup granted Championship status". Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ "Simon Davey of MSV F3 Cup interviewed on MSVR Media Day". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ "Avon Tyres Motorsport and Sunoco Race fuels announced as official suppliers for the MSV F3 Cup". Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ a b "2011 MSV F3 Cup – Sporting & Technical Regulations" (PDF). 17 January 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Dittmann becomes champion after Da Costa win". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Omicron Motorsport's Tristan Cliffe wins 2012 Cup Class title". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "micron Motorsport clinch 2012 F3 Cup Teams' Championship". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Alex Craven crowned 2013 F3 Cup champion". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "F3 Cup Championship - Current Standings". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Mark Bailey Racing wrap up 2013 Teams' Championship". F3 Cup. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Toby Sowery wins 2014 F3 Cup title". Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "Rae claims Trophy Class crown". Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "Omicron Motorsport claims its second F3 Cup Teams' Championship". F3 Cup Latest News. MSV F3 Cup. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Silverstone report – Race Three". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d "F3 Cup Championship – 2017 Standings". f3cup.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d "F3 Cup Championship – 2018 Standings". f3cup.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ a b "[untitled]". F3 Cup. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2021 – via Facebook.
- ^ a b "F3 Cup Driver and Team Champions". Stefano Leaney Racing. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Calendar | F3 Cup".