Formula 2 in Le Castellet: March rules in France

Words and pictures: Roman Klemm

As part of the Grand Prix de France Historique in Le Castellet, the organizer also offered fans two Formula 2 races. In a country that used to be considered a powerhouse in F2 with drivers like Jarier, Laffite, Depailler, Jabouille, and Arnoux, and with manufacturers like Martini, elf2, and AGS, British March cars dominated.

Qualification:
20 cars participated in practice and qualification of the "F2 Classic-pre 1979" class. It was surprising that the vast majority of them were British March cars - even though the race was held in France, where F2 was a very strongly represented class in the 1970s. 14 cars on the grid were manufactured in Bicester, with an additional 2 British Chevrons and one each of Merlyn and Lotus. The home French entry consisted of only one AGS and Martini each.
Fastest qualifier was young Englishman James Lay in a March 762, which was previously raced by Brazilian Alex Ribeiro. By a margin of a few tenths, Brit Brian Morris and former German Formula hopeful Wolfgang Kaufmann qualified in newer "wing-car" March 782s.

Races: 

While Lay being able to win relatively clearly on Saturday with a 5-second lead over Kaufmann and Morris, Sunday's duel between the Brit and the German (his car waspreviously driven by Stephen South back in 1978) offered one of the most thrilling races of the weekend. During the 11-lapper neither gave an inch. Even in the last corner, there was a slight contact, after which the leader Kaufmann had to go onto the asphalt runoff area, returning on the track in a wide line, and crossing the finish line in a nice photo finish just a tenth ahead of Lay! Morris was clearly behind this time, and Robin Herd's March constructions took the first 9 places. In 10th came the fastest Chevron B34 (ex-Keke Rosberg's F-Atlantic car for Fred Opert's team) with Stefan Ricci in the cockpit.

Result Saturday:

1. James Lay, March 762

2. Wolfgang Kaufmann, March 782

3. Brian Morris, March 782

4. Nicolas Maulini, March 712M

5. Oliver Chapman, March 782

6. Laurent Vallery-Masson, March 77B

Result Sunday:

1. Wolfgang Kaufmann, March 782

2. James Lay, March 762

3. Brian Morris, March 782

4. Oliver Chapman, March 782

5. Nicolas Maulini, March 712M

6. Fabrice Lheritier, March 752