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Australian Formula 3

Australian racing event

Australian Formula 3

Summary

Australian racing event

FieldValue
logoCollinsWilliamsWakefieldF3.jpg
pixels250px
categoryOpen Wheel Racing
Formula 3
inaugural21964 (first era)
1999 (second era)
2023 (AFO Era)
folded1977 (first era)
2022 (second era
drivers16
teams10
constructorsDallara
Mygale
Tatuus
Reynard
Stohr
Swift
Mantis
Performer
tyresHankook
engines2.0 litre Inline 4
country/regionAustralia
champion driverAUS John Magro
current_season2025 Australian Formula Open
websitehttps://www.formulaopen.au

Formula 3 1999 (second era) 2023 (AFO Era) 2022 (second era Mygale Tatuus Reynard Stohr Swift Mantis Performer | country/region = Australia

Australian Formula 3 has been the name applied to two distinctly different motor racing categories, separated by over twenty years.

The original Australian Formula 3 was introduced in 1964 based on the FIA Formula 3 of the period and intended as a cost-efficient open wheel category to run at state level for amateur racers. It was discontinued at the end of 1977.

Formula 3 was reintroduced to Australia in 1999, again based on FIA Formula 3. An Australian Formula 3 Championship was sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport for the first time in 2001. From 2005 to 2014 the Australian Drivers' Championship title (CAMS Gold Star) was also awarded to the winner of the championship. For 2015 the series reverted to the single title of Australian Formula 3 Championship. Following the withdrawal of national championship status, an Australian Formula 3 Premier Series has been contested since 2016.

History – The First Era

Elfin 623 AF3 car of 1972–1974

The Australian Formula 3 category was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in 1964 as the fourth tier of formula car racing in Australia, below the Australian National Formula, the Australian 1½ Litre Formula and Australian Formula 2. Initially the formula was as per FIA Formula 3, with cars restricted to using production based engines of under 1000cc capacity with overhead camshafts not permitted. For 1969 the engine capacity limit was increased to 1100cc and the prohibition on overhead camshafts was removed. 1972 saw the engine capacity limit lifted to 1300cc. 1977 was to be the last year of the first era of Australian Formula 3 as the category was discontinued at the end of the season. Formula 3 was never run under national championship status, although there were State Championships and the Stillwell Series.

History – The Second Era

2006 Australian GP

The modern era began when 2 Litre Formula 3 cars were introduced into Australia in 1999, competing alongside 1600cc Australian Formula 2 cars in the Australian Formula 2 National Series. In the following year CAMS introduced FIA specifications for Formula 3 cars in Australia and Formula 3 drivers now had their own Formula 3 National Series. Agreement was reached with CAMS to grant National Championship status to the Formula 3 Series for 2001CHAMPIONSHIP AGREEMENT REACHED – 18/3/2001 Retrieved from Internet Archive on 21 October 2008. and it officially became the Australian Formula 3 Championship in that year. By the 2005 season CAMS had decreed that Australian Formula 3 was now Australia's premier open-wheel racing car class (displacing Formula 4000) and as such the Australian Drivers' Championship title (and the associated CAMS Gold Star) would be awarded on the results of the Australian Formula 3 Championship. FORMULA 3 TO RACE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2005 Retrieved from Internet Archive on 21 October 2008.

History – Australian Formula Open Series era

Australia Formula Open (AFO) is a racing series that allows a wide range of single-seater cars to compete — primarily Formula 3 cars from various years and manufacturers, as well as similar types like Formula 1000. With its open technical regulations, AFO offers flexible and accessible entry conditions, making it an attractive platform for developing drivers.

List of Champions

Following the running of a National Series in 1999 and 2000, official national title status was granted by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport from 2001 onwards. From 2005 to 2014 the winner of the Australian Formula 3 Championship was also awarded the CAMS Gold Star and the Australian Drivers' Championship title. In 2015 CAMS stripped the Gold Star Award from the Australian Formula 3 Championship citing low grid numbers. With the loss of national championship status for 2016 the series was renamed the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series. Aligning with the Australian Motor Racing Series from 2019 the series returned to National Championship status.

Paul Stephenson 1999 Australian F3 National Series Champion
[[Ben Clucas]] ([[Dallara]] F304), winner of the 2006 championship
Ben Barker]] ([[Dallara]] F307), winner of the 2010 championship.
Jon Collins ([[Dallara]] F311), winner of the 2015 championship

Australian Formula 3 National Series

SeasonSeries WinnerVehicleTeam19992000
AUS Paul StephensonDallara F396 – TOM'S ToyotaTitan
AUS Paul StephensonDallara F396 – TOM'S ToyotaTitan

Australian Formula 3 Championship

SeasonChampionVehicleTeam2001200220032004
AUS Peter HackettDallara F301 – Alfa RomeoPiccola Scuderia
AUS James MandersonDallara F301 – Spiess OpelTeam BRM
AUS Michael CarusoDallara F301 – Novamotor FiatPiccola Scuderia
AUS Karl ReindlerDallara F301 – Spiess OpelTeam BRM

Australian Formula 3 Championship / Australian Drivers' Championship

SeasonChampionVehicleTeam2005200620072008200920102011201220132014
AUS Aaron CarattiDallara F304 – Sodemo RenaultInsight F3
UK Ben ClucasDallara F304 – Sodemo RenaultTeam BRM
AUS Tim MacrowDallara F304 – Spiess OpelCooltemp Racing/Scud Racing
UK James WinslowDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzAstuti Motorsport/Team BRM
UK Joey FosterDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzTeam BRM
UK Ben BarkerDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzTeam BRM
AUS Chris GilmourDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzGilmour Racing
UK James WinslowDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzR-Tek Motorsport
AUS Tim MacrowDallara F307 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzTeam BRM
AUS Simon HodgeMygale M11 – HWA-Mercedes-BenzTeam BRM

Australian Formula 3 Championship

The Australian Formula 3 Championship was renamed the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series by Formula 3 Management Pty Ltd from 2016 to 2018, returning to Australian Formula 3 Championship from 2019.

SeasonChampionVehicleTeam201520162017201820192020colspan=3Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions2021colspan=3Not awarded. Only one round held due to COVID-19 pandemic2022
AUS John CollinsDallara F311 – Mercedes-BenzGilmour Racing
AUS Tim MacrowDallara F307 – Mercedes-BenzAlpine Motorsport
AUS Calan WilliamsDallara F311 – Mercedes-BenzGilmour Racing
AUS Harri JonesDallara F311 – Mercedes-BenzJones Motorsport
AUS John MagroDallara F311 – Mercedes-BenzR-Tek Motorsport
AUS Noah SandsDallara F311 – Mercedes-BenzGilmour Racing

Australian Formula Open Championship

Australian Formula 3 Premier Series was renamed the Australian Formula Open Championship to get in line with the Euroformula Open Championship running not just Formula 3 cars, but other classes.

SeasonChampionVehicleTeam202320242025
AUS Trent GrubelDallara F312 – Mercedes-BenzTim Macrow Racing
AUS Ryan MacMillanDallara F308/11Tim Macrow Racing
AUS Michael DohertyPerformer P1000Performer Australia

List of constructors in Australian Formula 3

AF3 Cheetah Mk6

Cars built by the following constructors have raced in Australian Formula 3

Historic Era

  • Aztec
  • Birrana
  • Elfin
  • Cheetah
  • Alpha Sports Productions ASP

Modern Era

  • Dallara
  • Mygale
  • Reynard

References

References

  1. CAMS Official Organ, Racing Car News, December 1963, page 23
  2. Australian Motor Manual, May 1965, pages 31&34
  3. The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, page 172
  4. Chequered Flag, May 1981, page 33
  5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20020829130606/http://www.formula3.com.au/article.asp?i=6 2 LITRE ENGINES VINDICATED – 31/5/1999] Retrieved from Internet Archive on 21 October 2008
  6. [https://web.archive.org/web/20020630114927/http://www.formula3.com.au/article.asp?i=12 FIA FORMULA 3 ACCEPTED IN AUSTRALIA – 30/4/2000] Retrieved from Internet Archive on 21 October 2008. .
  7. [http://www.camsmanual.com.au/01_about.asp Australian Titles] Retrieved from CAMS Online Manual of Motor Sport on 21 July 2009.
  8. [http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/11/appeal-dismissal-hands-collins-2015-aus-f3-title/ Tom Howard, Friday 11 November 2016, Appeal dismissal hands Collins 2015 Aus F3 title, www.speedcafe.com] Retrieved 11 November 2016
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