76MM Derek Bell Cup – race report

18th March 2018

Richard Heseltine

Jon Milicevic starred amid a depleted field to win the 20-minute Derek Bell Cup race for one-litre Formula Three cars. The historics veteran was beaten off the line by Christophe Widmer, but the Brabham man spun on the exit of Fordwater first time around and dropped down the order.

From that moment on, Milicevic was never headed, the multiple category champion guiding his Brabham BT21 with gusto to lead Thierry Gallo’s Tecno-Ford by 10.4-seconds at half-distance. He had extended his advantage over the Frenchman to 13-seconds with only five minutes left to run with March driver Simon Armer several seconds further down the road. Gallo raised the tempo in the dying stages, but there was no catching Milicevic.

The winner said after the race: “It was a toss-up whether I made the start or not. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. It was very tricky out there. I almost span out on the warm-up lap behind the pace car. I found grip wherever I could and take my hat off to all the guys who started the race as it was very hairy! I’m thrilled to have won, though.”

Gallo added: “It was very slippery! I hope there’s a bit more sunshine next year. The car was damaged in practice so I was really pleased to have been able to race this weekend.”