2003 Dallara F303 - ex-Nico Rosberg
Discussion
JonathanK said:
I have this up for sale if there any Nico Rosberg fans out there but have been getting some feedback from people that famous driver history in a vehicle isn't worth anything to the sale price. Curious to know people's thoughts.
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/145275/2...
It’s not really that much of a selling point. Of course a very talented and skilled driver but everyone knows that he was second best to his most famous team mate at the time and was extremely lucky to win his wdc. He deserves his championship sure but he’s nothing special compared to the special drivers schu, Alonso, max etc. https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/145275/2...
andye30m3 said:
Out of interest how much are you expecting for it?
I'm not a massive fan of POA adverts (last one I enquired about was at least double what I thought it was worth) so maybe having a price on the ad would help.
I think I am actually going to put it on collectingcars.com for auction in about a week. I advertised it on Race Cars Direct to see if anyone wanted to buy it before it went to auction (i.e. not compete for it). If you are interested drop me a line via Race Cars Direct and we can chat there.I'm not a massive fan of POA adverts (last one I enquired about was at least double what I thought it was worth) so maybe having a price on the ad would help.
andrewcliffe said:
The car is eligible for Monoposto F3B class, running at 40mm ride height with a 25mm restrictor. It would be competitive in its class although some would prefer the F304 onwards with its sequential gearbox. Rosberg pedigree adds interest, but I'm not sure it adds £ 10k to the price based on its appearance on Collecting Cars.
Dallara made the F302-F304 as a continuous model, so the F304 is the same car as the F303. Mine has the sequential box and an additional steering wheel mounted finger clutch for quick upshifting off the start. I toyed with the idea of getting a paddle shift / gas bottle installed because I have pretty broad shoulders and am quite tall so shifting even with a sequential isn't the easiest for me.JonathanK said:
Dallara made the F302-F304 as a continuous model, so the F304 is the same car as the F303. Mine has the sequential box and an additional steering wheel mounted finger clutch for quick upshifting off the start. I toyed with the idea of getting a paddle shift / gas bottle installed because I have pretty broad shoulders and am quite tall so shifting even with a sequential isn't the easiest for me.
Yes them Dallaras are not a spacious fit for the bigger guy Kart16 said:
The 90s/ 2000s were the golden age of the F3. I heard Piquet Junior and Sette Camara (F-E) saying these were the best single seaters before F1 because of the light weight and high downforce, culminating with the fastest change in direction of any car, bar F1.
I am not sure to be honest but all I can say is that Copse at full throttle in 5th is possible - I didn't have the b
ks (had a small lift) and to be honest, not sure how quick I was going because my eyes were on stalks just trying to pick the turn in point and imagining what it would feel like doing a Verstappen, all at the same time!JonathanK said:
....and imagining what it would feel like doing a Verstappen, all at the same time!
I'm sure you are too circumspect to be a self-entitled idiot with room on your left... 
Nice car. Ignore the Nico naysayers, he eclipsed Schumi in every measurable area over three seasons and was extremely close to Lewis throughout their time together. Quality patina.
andrewcliffe said:
Yes, sorry - forgetting chassis break points.
Have run F397, F398, F304, F305, F307 and F311.
It's already been on Collecting Cars hasn't it...
Yes it was but didn't meet the reserve. It will be going back on in about a week for another 7 day auction with a lower reserve. I need to sell it because I am moving to Australia in the next 6 months and it, alongside my other toys, need to be sold.Have run F397, F398, F304, F305, F307 and F311.
It's already been on Collecting Cars hasn't it...
Edited by JonathanK on Tuesday 2nd April 12:26
JonathanK said:
andrewcliffe said:
Yes, sorry - forgetting chassis break points.
Have run F397, F398, F304, F305, F307 and F311.
It's already been on Collecting Cars hasn't it...
Yes it was but didn't meet the reserve. It will be going back on in about a week for another 7 day auction with a lower reserve. I need to sell it because I am moving to Australia in the next 6 months and it, alongside my other toys, need to be sold.Have run F397, F398, F304, F305, F307 and F311.
It's already been on Collecting Cars hasn't it...
Edited by JonathanK on Tuesday 2nd April 12:26
JonathanK said:
It is now up on their site: https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2003-dallara-f... as coming soon. It will go live next week.
Good luck with the sale! Sadly I’m not in a position to buy at the moment. At what price did it pass last time? I’ve always wanted an F3 car, thought that if I won the lottery or sold my business I’d buy half a dozen of them (plus loads of tyres and fuel!), rather than some million-dollar track special which is slower and I can’t invite friends to enjoy with me.
Sandpit Steve said:
JonathanK said:
It is now up on their site: https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2003-dallara-f... as coming soon. It will go live next week.
Good luck with the sale! Sadly I’m not in a position to buy at the moment. At what price did it pass last time? I’ve always wanted an F3 car, thought that if I won the lottery or sold my business I’d buy half a dozen of them (plus loads of tyres and fuel!), rather than some million-dollar track special which is slower and I can’t invite friends to enjoy with me.
PhilAsia said:
JonathanK said:
....and imagining what it would feel like doing a Verstappen, all at the same time!
I'm sure you are too circumspect to be a self-entitled idiot with room on your left... Nice car. Ignore the Nico naysayers, he eclipsed a past-it Schumi in every measurable area over three seasons and was extremely close to Lewis throughout their time together. Even beating him in 2016. Quality patina.
a bargain compared to new GT3 RS' and the like740EVTORQUES said:
If you don’t want to get into competition (or don’t have the time: talent) what are the opportunities to run something like this in the Uk?
You can use it at test days, which are generally cheaper than trackdays and allow overtaking wherever you like. Then as you get more experience and confidence you might start getting the urge to try out some racing and enter a club series such as Monoposto. ETA: Get some tuition at a single seater school before heading out in this car, otherwise your confidence will hit rock bottom before you've even done a lap.
740EVTORQUES said:
If you don’t want to get into competition (or don’t have the time: talent) what are the opportunities to run something like this in the Uk?
Circuit test days - but you need a race license.Track days which have open wheel sessions
Sprints / Hillclimbs with appropriate license
Monoposto
You will need at least one helper to strap you in tightly and to look after the starter battery - the on board battery is small and there is no alternator. Between sessions you'll need to put the battery on charge.
This has an F3 spec high compression (around 14:1) engine so you will need to run Sunoco FR 102 octane fuel which it drinks at around 0.7 litres per minute, and to save up for engine rebuilds at 5000 - 7500 mile intervals.
The biggest hurdle most people have, even if they've raced other cars is believing in the downforce - you need to take the car to somewhere with a relatively short lap time, and plenty of run off - Silverstone National is good for that - and pound round getting used to cars with aero that actually does something and isn't for show.
Edited by andrewcliffe on Friday 5th April 10:55
Jacobyte said:
740EVTORQUES said:
If you don’t want to get into competition (or don’t have the time: talent) what are the opportunities to run something like this in the Uk?
You can use it at test days, which are generally cheaper than trackdays and allow overtaking wherever you like. Then as you get more experience and confidence you might start getting the urge to try out some racing and enter a club series such as Monoposto. ETA: Get some tuition at a single seater school before heading out in this car, otherwise your confidence will hit rock bottom before you've even done a lap.
I had done a similar day in a formula ford and realised that I wanted something with aero generated downforce and started looking into the various old formula cars on racecarsdirect.com. I talked to lots of people and settled on an old F3 car and got lucky with one with some heritage.
I asked Andy Cattani (Classic & Race) to help me set it up and run it on day one. He brought along his tame racing car driver to do the first run around the Indy circuit at Brands to warm up the tires (Pirelli slicks) and brakes so that when I jumped in for my first run, it would be all up to temp. On that first run he spun and someone ran into him, destroying a rear tire and wheel (a real no no on test days but there you go!) and so we swapped the rear wheels and I thought: f*#k it, how hard can it be!?
I got strapped in a took it out nice and easy for a few laps (no spins) and got more and more confidence with leaning on the tires. The faster you go, the better the aero works so it is a bit of a case of pushing where a mistake doesn't leave you in the gravel. I would also recommend reducing tire camber to zero. It isn't going to the be the quickest but the tires certainly get hot faster and stay sticky longer - especially while you are learning. Oh, and don't race people on test days just get out there and do your own thing. Let the faster guys through and just enjoy driving. I have spun it a lot of times but never ended off the race track with any serious issues or damage.
Since then, I have driven on multiple tracks and I am by no means quick but it is loads of fun. The costs are:
1. Track day = a few hundred quid.
2. Engineer = another few hundred quid but if you have friendly mechanic, it really isn't hard to learn this for just testing days - engine warm up, tire pressures, suspension / wing adjustment and strapping you in (I can't do it myself but some skinnier guys can!).
3. Fuel = I used 102, which isn't cheap (£3.00/l), but you can use the 99 it just isnt as nice on the engine. I bought a couple of drums and got them delivered and then just refilled each time at https://www.silverstone.co.uk/track-days/fuel-your...
4. Tires = they are a grand each if you buy them new. I never did! I went and had a chat to one of the professional F3 teams testing on the same day and asked to buy a set of their used test tires (they go through c.3 sets each session) most of which only have one heat cycle and a handful of laps on them (i.e. still good for 3-4 more heat cycles minimum). Given that they just throw them away, I would get a set for a £100-£150 and then have my old worn out ones pulled off and the new ones put on, balanced and then use them for the next two test days (min).
All in all, it is a lot of proper race car driving for less than an Ariel Atom or an old Lotus Exige! You won't ever driver faster around a corner than in something with this much aero downforce!
Jonathan
andrewcliffe said:
740EVTORQUES said:
If you don’t want to get into competition (or don’t have the time: talent) what are the opportunities to run something like this in the Uk?
Circuit test days - but you need a race license.Track days which have open wheel sessions
Sprints / Hillclimbs with appropriate license
Monoposto
You will need at least one helper to strap you in tightly and to look after the starter battery - the on board battery is small and there is no alternator. Between sessions you'll need to put the battery on charge.
This has an F3 spec high compression (around 14:1) engine so you will need to run Sunoco FR 102 octane fuel which it drinks at around 0.7 litres per minute, and to save up for engine rebuilds at 5000 - 7500 mile intervals.
The biggest hurdle most people have, even if they've raced other cars is believing in the downforce - you need to take the car to somewhere with a relatively short lap time, and plenty of run off - Silverstone National is good for that - and pound round getting used to cars with aero that actually does something and isn't for show.
Edited by andrewcliffe on Friday 5th April 10:55
ks mine up with loads of missed shifts and wayward apexes and still passed. Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff