Gallery 2026 06 June Donington
Gallery 2026 06 June Donington 02
30-31 May 2026 - Donington
Jason wins two - but one by only 1/100th of a second!
Jason Timms headlined the Historic Formula 3 results at a hot and sunny Donington Park with two wins but as with any headline there was more to the story.
2025 UK and European Champion Peter de la Roche, in the family run Alexis Mk17, bagged pole for Race 1 by a comfortable margin of over a second, even sitting out the last part of the session. Perennial threat, Jason Timms (Brabham BT21), was second ahead of welcome series returnee Ian Bankhurst in his refurbished Alexis Mk8, running a new ATME motor. Jeremy Timms (Chevron B15), fresh from his impressive Goodwood podium, was third ahead of Andrew Hibberd (Brabham BT18)
The increasing popularity of the Screamers was evidenced by four newcomers including some complete newbies. Former tin top racer Oliver Musgrave has been refurbishing an ex Cyd Williams Chevron B15. Engine problems prompted a quick rethink and with Andrew Tart’s help a deal was done to buy Simon Haughton’s B15 and for Neil Cox of Corinium Motorsport to run the car. Oli qualified an impressive 8th. Chris Dunster was equally impressive in his Class A Lotus 51 whilst current fighter pilot Paul Durban debuted his beautiful ex Mo Nunn Lotus 41. Sadly, hillclimber Clive Buffey’s debut in his ex-Mike Lamplough/Jolley Club Chevron B15 was curtailed due to a workshop injury.
Race 1 run in boiling hot conditions was a typical F3 cracker resulting in a win by Jason Timms less than 0.5 second from Peter de la Roche with Ian Bankhurst a smiling third, despite missing a gear on the last lap. Jeremy Timms was part of the place swopping group until dropping it in the gravel at Redgate, rejoining amidst clouds of gravel right in front of the battling duo of Jonathan Sharp (Chevron B17) and Nick Fennell in his beautiful Tecno F3. Jonathan and Nick swopped places almost every lap at the chicane, both thoroughly enjoying their scrap, the Chevron quicker down the Craner Curves with the more nimble Tecno making time in the slower corners.
Oli Musgrave had to start from the pitlane due to an unpredictable clutch but fought through to a highly impressive 7th. Another newcomer Paul Durban jumped Simon Etherington off the line and spent all race not only learning how to race but more importantly how to keep the One Litre F3 Chairman behind him. He succeeded, but only just!
Simon Etherington had organised a simple evening soiree of beer and pizza in the paddock which coming close after the end of Race 1 allowed the friendly banter to flow amongst the friendly crowd who make up this series.
Race 2 was presaged by a friendly gathering in a grassy part of the paddock organised by Jim Nairns of the 70’s Roadsports Series, generously laying on homemade cakes, pastries and coffee whilst two F3 cars were set alongside two Roadsports cars. Both of these HSCC series demonstrating friendly camaraderie with drivers mingling and sharing thoughts and banter.
Back on circuit…
Race 2 (grid positions governed by Race 1 fastest laps) had the two Timms on the front row, Jason ahead of Jeremy. In the assembly area the Red Arrows did a formation fly past back on cue…
With the race shortened to 15 minutes due to the schedule running late, the start was even more important. The usual gang of four (2 x Timms, de la Roche and Bankhurst) set up all intent on being first round Redgate. Bankhurst left the start on the rev limiter in a cloud of smoke, overcompensating for almost stalling in Race 1, whilst Jonathan Sharp jumped Nick Fennell before Redgate.
Jonathan Sharp headed into a lonely race ahead of Nick Fennell but enjoyed watching the epic scrap ahead of him, often three abreast going into the Chicane and the Redgate. Jeremy Timms eked out a lead leaving a race long scrap between the other three. Just before the end, Jeremy Timms slowed, weaving his car to try and pick up fuel, allowing Jason Timms to win by the slimmest of margins (one hundredth of a second!) from Peter de la Roche, Ian Bankhurst smiling again in third with Jonathan Sharp 4th.
Again, Oli Musgrave starred out as best newcomer, fighting through the field again to 7th. Paul Durban went quicker in his second ever race, chopping his lap times and finishing 12th.
85 year old Barry Sewell (Lotus 41) raised one of the biggest cheers at prize giving, finishing 9th ahead of several luminaries and being awarded a prize in recognition that age is no barrier to having a good time in a Screamer!
