F3 chassis

esorniloc · 31 Mar 2003, 21:11 (Ref:554222)

Now that Lola/Dome have arrived in F3 to take on Dallara.
What happened to the French car, Martini?
Didn't they win the French series in the late 90's with Sébastien Bourdais?

climb · 1 Apr 2003, 06:36 (Ref:554549)

Yes, they did, in 1999.
But since then, Dallara returned to win, by upgrading their car, from what I know, and no more serious competition has been possibile.
We must consider that Martini is a very small entity: they may conceive and create a good brand-new car, but don't have the resources (finance and technology) to develop it and keep it competitive in F3.

racingdick · 1 Apr 2003, 12:11 (Ref:554804)

am i correct in assuming that if lola are set to enter a team then we'll have 3 car makers
Dallara,
Lola
Ralt, with Diamond & Will Power.

cheesey · 1 Apr 2003, 19:49 (Ref:555213)

Looks like only Dallara and Ralt will be represented.

esorniloc · 1 Apr 2003, 22:06 (Ref:555344)

So thats another walkover for Dallara then!

Why do any teams use Ralt when the Dallara is so good?

I guess it'll soon be the 10 years since a non Dallara won a British F3 race.

climb · 2 Apr 2003, 06:36 (Ref:555561)

Maybe Ralt grants high discounts on the car price: otherwise I can't see a reason why a driver should bet his budget on a surely-loser car.
My opinion is that Ralt is to small to invest what it deserves to make and develop a competitive chassis: I've heard that this return to F3 has been made 'cause the new owner heired 2 million pounds and wanted to fight Dallara: such resources are riducously low to stay competitive in F3.
My opinion is expressed by the signature hereby following

esorniloc · 2 Apr 2003, 13:23 (Ref:555918)

Who actually owns/runs Ralt?

About 20 years ago they dominated in F3, were they small then?

climb · 3 Apr 2003, 07:26 (Ref:556882)

I was too young at that time; I suppose Ralt had to downsize a bit; in any case I don't think they were that big: they might have outsourced most of their manufacturing activity

JR Ewing · 3 Apr 2003, 07:34 (Ref:556895)

Ralt is now owned by Steve Ward, I think, and is primarily a gearbox concern.
Previously it was owned by Ron Tauranac (RALT = Ron and Lewis Tauranac who was Jack Brabham's partner at Brabham, hence Brabhams were BTs

esorniloc · 3 Apr 2003, 08:46 (Ref:556937)

So is that what the RT meant in the chassis code of the Ralts?
Initials of Ron Tauranac.

They were also in Formula 2 and Formula Atlantic as well as Formula 3.

JR Ewing · 3 Apr 2003, 10:02 (Ref:557012)

Yes, and the RHs were Ralt Hondas

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