6 replies to this topic

[Gary C]

Doing a little research here in the hope of identifying a couple of images. Can someone point me towards Henri Toivonen's brief F3 career please?  Many thanks indeed.

[Fred Gallagher]

I set it up Gary as we were sharing a Rothmans Opel at the time so mail me or give me a call.

[Tim Murray]

Toivonen raced an Eddie Jordan-entered Ralt RT3 in the final round of the 1982 British F3 Championship at Thruxton on 24th October 1982, finishing 10th:

http://www.the-fastl...2/F382_GB29.htm

He’d raced the same car in a Libre race at Silverstone the previous day, winning the race after a battle with Tony Sugden’s Lotus Esprit Turbo ended when the Lotus ran into problems. Here he is at Thruxton:





I do hope Fred is able to share the story of how it all came about.

[Tim Murray]

Henri also raced in the televised end-of-season meeting at Thruxton on 13th November 1982, finishing 4th. The winner was Ayrton Senna in his first F3 race:

http://www.the-fastl...2/F382_GB31.htm

[Gary C]

hmmm....after looking through the result for Thruxton, Tim, I'm now thinking that the images I originally thought were Silverstone could well be this Thruxton race. All of the track images I have are all obviously Brands (Druids in fact) but there are a few driver portraits which could have been taken anywhere...the appearance of Toivonen could well close the possibilities though. I'm still looking into it, but  thanks indeed for the link (again!), Tim!

[john winfield]

Henri also raced in the televised end-of-season meeting at Thruxton on 13th November 1982, finishing 4th. The winner was Ayrton Senna in his first F3 race:

http://www.the-fastl...2/F382_GB31.htm

 

On YouTube there is footage of the earlier Thruxton race on October 24th. This is the final Marlboro round, won by Martin Brundle, with Tommy Byrne pipping Enrique Mansilla for the championship. Henri is racing and finished tenth. He is shown at around 8.55, and again at 9.20, battling at the chicane on the final lap.  (The Thruxton film begins with the final scenes from the preceding round at Brands Hatch).

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=ddV9Sf50a4k

[john winfield]

Gary, the September 2002 Motor Sport contains a Gordon Cruickshank feature article on Henri's single seater career, with photos of the F3 car at Thruxton.