F3000 Italia non-championship race, Assen (NL), 20th August 2000

On 20th August a non-championship F3000 Italia race was held at Assen, Netherlands. It was arranged by Meindert van Buuren and was set to become a round of the Italian F3000 championship for the next couple of years. Unfortunately the plan was cancelled due to there being limitations to the amount of days the circuit can operate with unlimited noise. The race on the fast circuit, best known for the Dutch TT Moto GP, saw a strong turnout by spectators with numbers totalling 25,000.

13 cars entered the race, the field largely comprising F3000 Italia regulars. Thomas Biagi took pole for GP Racing ahead of championship series title contenders Ricardo Sperafico (ADM) and Gabriele Lancieri (Sighinolfi). Lancieri was only contesting the race to keep him "match fit" ahead of the remaining two championship rounds. Fourth went to the first of the drivers making their F3000 debut, the impressive Jacky van der Ende (left) who is competing in Euro Formula Palmer Audi this season. The Dutchman teamed up with Sascha Bert at the Draco Junior Team for this race only, and outqualified his more experienced team-mate. Fifth and sixth on the grid were Michele Spoldi (Durango Benetton Junior Team) and Gabriele Varano (Team Ghinzani). Andrej Pavicevic (Durango Benetton Junior Team) qualified seventh after setting the second fastest time in free practice. The Australian complained that his car was suffering from an understeer and traction problem.

Apart from van der Ende, the other F3000 newcomers struggled, taking the last three places on the grid. Dutch driver Jeroen Reijntjens qualified 11th for ADM. The 21-year old is a former German Formula Renault series runner-up and Formula Opel Euroseries pilot. One place behind was his countryman Allard Kalff, the TV commentator and Dutch Touring Car competitor. Finally, the Italian driver Fabio Poggetti made his debut with First GP, qualifying 13th.

Thomas Biagi (right) took a controlled victory in the first Assen Italian F3000 race, taking his first win in a long F3000 career. The Italian, on pole, held the lead of the 26-lap race from the start until the end, resisting pressure from Gabriele Lancieri. Ricardo Sperafico, the current leader of the F3000 Italia championship, stalled at the start as Biagi pulled away. He dropped behind Lancieri, Jacky van der Ende, Gabriele Varano and the Durango Benetton Junior pair. The Brazilian then had to fight back through the field from the back of the pack.

Biagi made an error on the third lap which gave Lancieri the opportunity to put him under pressure. But Lancieri decided against taking any risks, mindful of his need to focus on the championship challenge which awaits him. The two drivers were nevertheless close as they crossed the finishing line, with just 1.22secs between them.

Behind, the battle for third was between Jacky van der Ende and Andrej Pavicevic, the Dutch rookie impressively beating the Australian Durango Benetton Junior driver to the podium. It was Pavicevic's first finish in the top 6 in an F3000 race, but unfortunately it was not a points-scoring round.

Fifth went to Ricardo Sperafico having fought up the order from last place after his stall. It was another impressive performance from the winner of the two previous championship rounds. Gabriele Gardel finished sixth for GP Racing, while Allard Kalff (left) finished eighth, one lap down. On the first lap Michele Spoldi made contact with Sascha Bert, forcing the Italian to pit for a new nose cone. He rejoined but his car's handling was affected. Spoldi then lost control on lap 17, violently hitting the crash barriers but fortunately escaping without injury.

The F3000 Italia championship resumes on September 3rd at the classic Enna-Pergusa circuit in Sicily.

RACE:

(All cars Lola T96/50-Zytek). Key: R=retired.

[http://uk.oocities.com/unofficialf3000/nonchampionship/assen00.htm]