EX-DEPAILLER MARCH SET TO JOIN F2 FIELD

Three more cars are set to join the Historic Formula 2 grid this season, notably including the ex-patrick Depailler March 752 now owned by Mark Richardson.

Richardson, who also races a Lola T290 in Thundersports, has had the 752 for three years after buying it from Jim Gathercole. It has now been restored to original 1975 specification and put back into period livery. It was also raced by Brian Henton and later Ray Mallock in the 1970s, but is not thought to have raced for many years.

After a test at Donington

Park last week, Richardson plans to debut the car at the Silverstone Classic. “This is its first time out and I’m very excited to give it a run,” said the garden designer, who first raced in Formula Vee in the 1980s.

Teenager Samuel Harrison plans to join the F2 grid at the Silverstone Classic in a Lola T240, which will start off running in Formula Atlantic trim. “It’s a work in progress but the Classic at Silverstone is certainly our target,” said Harrison, who has made his name so far in Classic and Historic Formula Ford.

Meanwhile, Scottish racing newcomer Syd Fraser recently tested his latest acquisition, a 1600cc F2 March 712, which was the Mike Beuttler car in 1971. Fraser, now 63, has only been racing for three seasons.

“It’s a post-mid-life crisis,” said the Aberdeen driver, who started off doing trackdays. He has progressed through Formula Ford and Formula Junior and says that the F2 car (below) is the next step on the ladder. “I just want to find out if

I can do it,” said Fraser.