VENSON BRITISH F2 CHAMPIONSHIP 1996

Garcia Jr (3) leads Lupberger (1) and the field in the penultimate round at Brands

 

Sarah Kavanagh, Fred Goddard Racing, Donington

The 1996 championship was dominated by the Super Nova car of Gareth Rees, the former Marlboro Masters F3 winner who competed in International F3000 the previous year. He won six races and clinched the title with two rounds to go. Rees started the season in style, winning the first 5 races, but stumbled at Donington when Sascha Maassen took his only victory of the year. Lupberger won the following round as Rees retired, but Gareth won the Silverstone round to tie up the championship. Luis Garcia Jr won the remaining two rounds after battling with Lupberger and Gonzalo Rodriguez, securing second in the standings. Lupberger ended up third, one place ahead of Rodriguez. British Formula Renault champion David Cook raced twice in Rees' absence, while future International F3000 star Jason Watt made his F3000 debut for Fred Goddard Racing in the final round. Ex-Andrea Moda F1 non-qualifier Perry McCarthy made a single seater return with the DKS Prosperity Management team, which would graduate to International F3000 the following year with Dino Morelli. The future boss of International F3000 team Arden, Christian Horner, finished fifth overall after half a season with veteran team Madgwick International. Sarah Kavanagh (above right), future Formula Nippon and BOSS Formula 1 driver, raced on a couple of occasions in a Sainsbury's and Parmalat backed Fred Goddard Racing entry.

Gonzalo Rodriguez, Edenbridge 1996

Gareth Rees entered International F3000 the following year with Durango, and in 1998 with Den Blå Avis. He scored a few good results but was unable to continue in the series, later becoming a guest Formula 3000 commentator for Eurosport. Luis Garcia Jr proved a capable team-mate and went on to race in Champ Cars. Werner Lupberger raced in F3000 for Edenbridge in 1997 and 1998 and was F3000 Italia runner-up in 1999 before turning to the SportsRacing World Cup. Gonzalo Rodriguez (left) moved into Int'l F3000 with Redman Bright in 1997, and showed improved form for Astromega (1998-99), winning races and challenging Nick Heidfeld for the championship in 1999. Tragically he was killed in practice for his second CART race before the F3000 season reached its end. Some talented drivers entered British F2 in 1996, but at times grids had declined to just five cars (the smallest in the series' history), and teams withdrew their support. British F2 was finally dead.

Results supplied by Stephen Herbert, Sergio Fratus and Nicolas Korzan.

Entry list & calendar

Entry List 1996

No.

Driver

Team

Chassis/Engine

Rounds

1

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

1-10

2

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

1-8

2

David Cook (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

9-10

3

Luis Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

1-10

4

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

1-4

5

Alfredo Pedemonte (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

withdrawn

5

Fabrizio Gollin (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

1

5

Vito Popolizio (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

2,3

6

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

4,6,8

6

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

9

7

Pietro Ferrero (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

4

8

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

5-10

9

Gonzalo Rodriguez (UR)

Edenbridge

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

4-10

10

Perry McCarthy (GB)

DKS Prosperity Management

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

8-10

16

Sarah Kavanagh (IRL)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

4,6

20

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth AC

1,4-10

22

Alan Berkov (RUS)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 93D-Cosworth DFY

1

24

William Hewland (GB)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

4

?

Denny Zardo (I)

Durango Equipe

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

5

?

Jason Watt (DK)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

10

?

Steven Arnold (GB)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

1

?

Nigel Smith (GB)

Team Schemes / HMSO

Reynard 92D-Cosworth

4

?

Tony Worswick (GB)

Tony Worswick

Reynard 93D-Cosworth

5

?

Lars Johansson (AUS)

Weylock

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

6

?

Francis Phillips (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

8

?

Paul Smith (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

10

Note: Apomatox had planned to enter two cars, while Astromega intended to field a car for team boss and former F3000 driver Mikke van Hool when there was no clashing International F3000 round.

Calendar 1996

Rnd

Circuit

Date

1

Oulton Park

5 April 1996

2

Snetterton

6 May 1996

3

Snetterton

6 May 1996

4

Silverstone

22 June 1996

5

Oulton Park

6 July 1996

6

Donington Park

4 August 1996

7

Brands Hatch

26 August 1996

8

Silverstone

29 September 1996

9

Brands Hatch

13 October 1996

10

Donington Park

27 October 1996

 

Race results: (and reports where available)

Round 1: Oulton Park (Foster's), 5 April 1996

The first race of the British F2 championship of 1996 took place on the short Foster's Circuit at Oulton Park. Only seven cars were entered for the race. Super Nova entered Reynard 95Ds for Gareth Rees and Luiz Garcia Jr. Durango entered a 95D for their new International F3000 driver Fabrizio Gollin and also entered Luca Riccitelli. The race gave former Italian F3 driver Gollin the chance to adapt to powerful F3000 machinery ahead of the first F3000 round on May 11th at the Nurburgring.

Fred Goddard Racing, formerly the Vortex F3000 team, entered South Africa's Werner Lupberger in a 95D and the Russian driver Alan Berkov in a 93D. He raced in the B-Class for older cars alongside David Mercer who entered a 94D.

Gareth Rees took pole position with a time of 48.84secs (196.07kph) and was joined on the front row by Luca Riccitelli (48.94s). The race was decided at the start, Rees defending his position and forcing Riccitelli to take to the grass. Rees maintained the race lead until the finish, joined on the podium by the Italian duo of Ricitelli and Gollin. The remaining points went to Lupberger, Berkov and Mercer. 

Race report kindly provided by Nicolas Korzan.

Round 1: Oulton Park (Fosters circuit), 5 April 1996- 30 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

30 laps

25m 21.57s

1

2

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth*

30 laps

25m 23.85s

2

3

Fabrizio Gollin (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

30 laps

25m 56.00s

4

4

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

29 laps

running

5

5

Alan Berkov (RUS)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 93D-Cosworth

28 laps

running

6

6

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

27 laps

running

7

DNF

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

6 laps

spin

3

DNS

Steven Arnold (GB)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

0 laps

engine misfire

-

Pole Position : Rees, 48.84s

Fastest Lap: Riccitelli, 50.09s (191.994kph). *Riccitelli possibly drove a 94D.

 

Rounds 2 & 3: Snetterton, 6 May 1996

Only five cars entered the Snetterton double header. Gareth Rees won the first race and the second for Super Nova. Team mate Luis Garcia Jr took second on both occasions, taking fastest lap in both races. Werner Lupberger clinched two third places for Fred Goddard Racing, while the Durango pair of Luca Riccitelli and Vito Popolizio were fourth and fifth in the first race, both retiring from the second.

Round 2: Snetterton, 6 May 1996, (Race 1), 25 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

25m 17.14s

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

-

3

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

-

4

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

-

5

Vito Popolizio (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

24 laps

running

Round 3: Snetterton, 6 May 1996, (Race 2), 25 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

27m 27.33s

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

-

-

3

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

-

-

DNF

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

-

driver discomfort

DNF

Vito Popolizio (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

-

spin

Round 4: Silverstone, 22 June 1996 - 35 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

35 laps

30m 32.35s

2

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

35 laps

30m 55.80s

5

3

Pietro Ferrero (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

34 laps

running

-

4

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

33 laps

running

-

NC

Nigel Smith (GB)

Team Schemes

Reynard 92D-Cosworth

23 laps

running

-

DNF

Sarah Kavanagh (IRL)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

?

gearbox

-

DNF

William Hewland (GB)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

?

water pump

-

DNF

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

1 lap

accident

1

DNF

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

1 lap

accident

3

DNF

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

1 lap

accident

4

DNF

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

1 lap

accident

6

DNF

?

-

-

-

-

-

12 entries.

Round 5: Oulton Park, 6 July 1996 - 25 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

36m 15.11s

1

2

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

36m 16.09s

3

3

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

25 laps

37m 23.20s

4

4

Denny Zardo (I)

Durango Corse

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

24 laps

running

-

5

Tony Worswick (GB)

Tony Worswick

Reynard 93D-Cosworth

24 laps

running

-

DNF

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

18 laps

spin

2

DNF

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

5 laps

engine

-

DNF

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

-

-

-

Round 6: Donington Park, 4 August 1996 - 30 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

30 laps

30m 44.30s

-

2

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

30 laps

30m 47.17s

-

3

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

30 laps

30m 48.45s

-

4

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

30 laps

31m 27.28s

-

5

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

28 laps

running

1

6

Sarah Kavanagh (IRL)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

28 laps

running

-

DNF

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

1 lap

spin

-

?

Lars Johansson (AUS)

Weylock Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

-

-

-

?

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

-

-

-

Round 7: Brands Hatch, 26 August 1996 - 35 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

35 laps

23m 02.53s

3

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

35 laps

23m 05.02s

2

3

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

35 laps

-

4

4

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

31 laps

running

5

DNF

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

18 laps

gearbox

1

?

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

?

?

?

 

Round 8: Silverstone, 29 September 1996

Rees survives rain to clinch British F2 title

"Gareth Rees had to master truly dreadful conditions which were more suitable to powerboat racing to lift the British Formula 2 Championship crown at Silverstone on Sunday. While never headed, Rees's Super Nova Reynard was under threat in both parts of the restarted race.

With light drizzle falling as the nine car field left the pits, Gonzalo Rodriguez (a lover of the wet and comfortably quickest in the first qualifying session in his Edenbridge Reynard) spun on the warm-up lap. Rees burst into the lead at the start, but Sascha Maassen was already out, the German driver's Fred Goddard Racing Reynard coasting off with a broken driveshaft.

Rees led Werner Lupberger, championship rival Luiz Garcia Jr and Rodriguez, who'd started from the rear of the field after his indiscretion. The Uruguayan then spun at Priory on lap 3, lit up his tyres as he attempted to rejoin the race and promptly shot back across the track and dumped his car into the gravel trap.

The race was red-flagged during lap eight when tail-ender Francis Phillips had the mother and father of spins on the pit straight. After spinning for well over 100 yards, Phillips climbed out and abandoned the car. Rees duly led at the restart, but by lap 4 rain was blowing across the Northhamptonshire circuit. Garcia lay second with single-seater returnee Perry McCarthy an excellent third.

Rees was soon gesticulating to officials that conditions were getting pretty nasty and, on lap 7, the safety car appeared. Lupberger took the opportunity to pit for wet tyres, slipping from fourth to sixth, but completing the change without losing a lap. Wary after his scare, Phillips had stopped for wets two laps earlier.

The field trundled around behind the safety car for three laps, to complete the necessary points scoring race distance and it was a relief when the chequered flag appeared on lap 10. Thus Rees won on aggregate from Garcia Jr by 2.57s with a further gap of 5.47s back to McCarthy and Christian Horner who dead-heated for third when the times were added up.

David Mercer was a Class B winning fifth, with Lupberger and Phillips completing the finishers. Looking forward to European F3000 next year, Rees later admitted: 'Conditions were bad and Luiz pushed me hard. So I was just glad to see the chequered flag.' "

(Race report by Dud Candler taken from Autosport)

Round 8: Silverstone, 29 September 1996 - 16 laps (aggregate of 6 laps & 10 laps)

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

16 laps

26m 27.74s

-

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

16 laps

27m 00.31s

-

3=

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

16 laps

27m 05.78s

-

3=

Perry McCarthy (GB)

DKS Engineering

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

16 laps

27m 05.78s

-

5

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

16 laps

28m 11.17s

-

6

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

15 laps

running

-

7

Francis Phillips (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

14 laps

running

-

DNF

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

3 laps

spun

1

DNF

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

1 lap

driveshaft

-

 

Round 9: Brands Hatch, 13 October 1996

Gold for Garcia Jr.

Garcia, Mercer, Rodriguez - Brands Hatch

"A delighted Luiz Garcia Jr led from lights to flagfall to take his maiden British Formula 2 Championship race win at Brands Hatch on Sunday. The Brazilian driver is now assured of runner up spot in the series behind Super Nova team mate Gareth Rees who was present at Brands Hatch only to offer moral support to Garcia Jr and new team mate David Cook.

Third fastest in the damp first session, Garcia claimed pole in the second dry session by just 0.05s over points rival Werner Lupberger. Then, just before the race, Garcia had some worrying moments when his engine refused to fire up for the parade lap. Four crew members finally bump started it into life.

Anxious not to stall at the start, Garcia gave it plenty, his Reynard wriggling sideways as he fought to keep Lupberger at bay on the run to Paddock. Lupberger tried again up the hill to Druids, but the outside line wasn't the place to be. The fast starting Perry McCarthy stormed from sixth to third place on the opening lap, but within a few laps his engine lost power. 'Pel' then slid down the order before calling it a day on lap 12.

Garcia, Lupberger and Gonzalo Rodriguez stayed close and pulled away from fourth-place man Sascha Maassen. Lupberger then blew his hopes with a spin at Surtees. Rodriguez was delayed, but then chased down Garcia who had the situation in hand despite a margin of just 0.62s."

(Race report by Dud Candler taken from Autosport)

Round 9: Brands Hatch, 13 October 1996 - 40 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

40 laps

26m 43.79s

1

2

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

40 laps

26m 44.41s

-

3

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

40 laps

27m 01.64s

2

4

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

40 laps

27m 13.89s

-

5

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

40 laps

27m 14.16s

-

6

David Cook (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

39 laps

running

-

7

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

35 laps

running

-

DNF

Perry McCarthy (GB)

DKS Engineering

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

12 laps

engine

6

Fastest Lap: Rodriguez, 39.07s (110.90mph)

Round 10: Donington Park, 27 October 1996 - 22 laps

Pos.

Driver

Team

Car/Engine

Laps

Status

Grid

1

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 31.88s

1

2

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 33.08s

3

3

Gonzalo Rodriguez (U)

Edenbridge Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 35.37s

2

4

David Cook (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 37.42s

4

5

Jason Watt (DK)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 40.40s

-

6

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

22 laps

22m 47.03s

-

7

Paul Smith (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

21 laps

running

-

8

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

20 laps

running

-

DNF

Perry McCarthy (GB)?

DKS Engineering?

Reynard 95D-Cosworth?

?

?

-

9 starters

 

Championship results:

Final championship standings

Pos

Driver

Team

Chassis/Engine

Points

Wins

1

Gareth Rees (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

56

6

2

Luiz Garcia Jr (BR)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

52

2

3

Werner Lupberger (ZA)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

36

1

4

Gonzalo Rodriguez (UR)

Edenbridge

Reynard-Cosworth 95D

22

0

5

Christian Horner (GB)

Madgwick International

Reynard-Mugen 95D

14

0

6

Sascha Maassen (D)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 94D/95D-Cosworth

12

1

7

Luca Riccitelli (I)

Durango

Reynard 94(?)/95D-Cosworth AC

9

0

8

Fabrizio Gollin (I)

Durango

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

4

0

=

Pietro Ferrero (I)

Durango

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

4

0

=

Perry McCarthy (GB)

DKS

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

4

0

=

David Cook (GB)

Super Nova

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

4

0

12

Denny Zardo (I)

Durango

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

3

0

13

Vito Popolizio (I)

Durango

Reynard 95D-Cosworth AC

2

0

=

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth AC

2

0

=

Jason Watt (DK)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 95D-Cosworth

2

0

Class B final standings (for Reynard 94D and older cars)

1

David Mercer (GB)

David Mercer

Reynard 94D-Cosworth AC

42

0

2

Alan Berkov (RUS)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 93D-Cosworth DFY

9

0

3

Tony Worswick (GB)

Tony Worswick

Reynard 93D-Cosworth

9

0

4

Lars Johansson (AUS)

Weylock

Reynard 94D-Cosworth

9

0

5

Paul Smith (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

9

0

6

Francis Phillips (GB)

?

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

6

0

=

Nigel Smith (GB)

Team Schemes

Reynard 92D-Cosworth

6

0

8

William Hewland (GB)

Fred Goddard Racing

Reynard 91D-Cosworth

0

0

 

Results courtesy of Stephen Herbert, Sergio Fratus and Nicolas Korzan.

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