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Formula Chrysler Euroseries

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Formula Chrysler Euroseries
CategorySingle seaters
CountryEurope
Inaugural season2001
Folded2001
Drivers15
Teams8
ConstructorsReynard
Engine suppliersChrysler
Last Drivers' championNetherlands Ricardo van der Ende
Last Teams' championSwitzerland Alpie Motorsport

The Formula Chrysler Euroseries was a single-make open-wheel racing series based in Europe. It ran only in 2001.

History

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Launched as the International Single Seater Challenge the series had to fill the gap between national Formula Three championship and the Formula 3000 series.[1] The car was first tested by Guy Smith in November 2000 at Donington Park.[2] The initial season started with a promotional event at Circuit Park Zandvoort. Eight drivers were present at the event. However, the race was stopped early as there were only two cars running after eight laps. Anthony Kumpen won the race, he finished in front of Aldo Piedade Jr.[3] The official season started on August 25 at the Österreichring in Austria. Six drivers started the first race with Charles Hall winning. The biggest grid was at the Nürburgring where ten cars made an appearance. Ricardo van der Ende dominated the season claiming four wins and six podium finishes out of seven races.

A calendar was announced for the 2002 season. The season would consist of thirteen races at ten different European circuits.[4] According to the official website the season opener was pushed back by three months because of the bankruptcy of car supplier Reynard Motorsport.[5] The number of rounds was also reduced to five double headers.[6]

Revival

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The Reynard chassis were bought by Dutch entrepreneur Harry Maessen in 2006.[7] The idea was to increase performance and form a racing series in 2008. In 2008 the renewed cars, renamed Formula BRL ran a test session at Circuit Zolder. Various Dutch drivers tested the car fitted with a 420 hp Ford V8 engine.[8] Later in the season the cars ran two demonstration races at the TT Circuit Assen. Former champion Ricardo van der Ende participated in the event. The races were won by Henk Vuik, Jr. and Nelson van der Pol.[9][10] At the end of the 2008 season the idea for a racing series was scrapped.

Scoring system

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  • Below is the scoring system used for the series during its 2001 season:
Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Pole Fastest Lap
Points 20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 2 2

Champions

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Season Champion Second Third Team Champion
2001 Netherlands Ricardo van der Ende (Vortex Motorsport) Mexico Roberto González Germany Sven Heidfeld Switzerland Alpie Motorsport

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Philosophy". FC Euro Series. Archived from the original on February 5, 2002. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  2. ^ "ISSC Car Out Testing". Euro Racing. Archived from the original on March 7, 2001. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Race results 2001". Unofficial F3000. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. ^ "FC Euro Series 2002 provisional calender [sic]". FC Euro Series. Archived from the original on March 24, 2002. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Reynard Motorsport has been bankrupt". FC Euro Series. Archived from the original on May 22, 2003. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. ^ "FC Euro Series 2002 provisional calender [sic]". FC Euro Series. Archived from the original on October 22, 2002. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Harry Maessen kondigt aan: Formule BRL !". Raceflash.nl. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Xclusief: Formule BRL maakt track debuut +FOTO'S". Racexpress.nl.
  9. ^ "Henk Vuik wint allereerste race Formule BRL". Racexpress.nl. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Tweede Formule BRL 'demorace' brengt regenspektakel". Racexpress.nl.