Brazilian Racing News: Junqueira to Race F-3000 in 98; Sudam F-3 history
13 January 1998
Junqueira to Race International F-3000 in 1998 Bruno Junqueira, reigning Sudam F-3 champion, tested for Draco in December and January and was confirmed by Adriano Morini (manager of Draco) to do the International F-3000 in 1998. Junqueira was the fastest among all drivers that tested for Draco and showed a great technical background. This is consistent with Junqueira's racing career: he was in karts until 1992, moved to F-Chevrolet in 1993, and went to to Sudam F-3 in 1994. He stayed in Sudam F-3 for 4 years, and had a great advantage this year over all drivers, except Nestor Gabriel Furlan. Furlan has been racing in Sudam F-3 since 1988 and made some attempts to do F-3000, but never succeeded. SUDAM F-3 HISTORY The Sudam F-3 championship was created in 1987, and the first champion was Leonel Friedrich (Brazilian). The governing body of this series is the CODASUR in Argentina; Argentinians have great power in this series. In 1993 Brazil split from the championship after a great cheat by the Argentinians, and formed their own F-3 championship. The events occasioning the split are as follows: In 1993 the Argentinian Fernando Croceri lead the championship, while the rookie Helio Castro Neves tried to make a showing with a car that was 5 years old. During the last three races of the season, Helio changed teams, going to Amir Nasr (one of the top three teams in the series). Helio was in a position to claim the championship if he won all the remaining races, and if Croceri did not finish the three races in second place. It came down to the last race, which was held in Argentina. Helio got the pole and won by a great margin, with Croceri in 6th position until the last lap. All the drivers between Helio and Croceri were Argentinians and stopped just before the finish line, giving the championship to Croceri. Brazil split the championship in 1994. Now, it's a SUDAM F-3 Championship, again, but the Argentinians and Brazilians definitely dont like each other. Marc Zimmermann -- The Auto Channel
