Ralt - Honda goes all Brazilian

‘The factory-entered Ralt-Honda Formula 3000 cars will have an all-Brazilian driver line-up for the 1987 season. This second division category for Grand Prix aspirants (whose racing calendar can be found elsewhere in this issue) promises to attract more cars than previously, although whether it flowers into a strong, enduring international category remains to be seen.

The Ralts will be driven by Mauricio Gugeimin and Roberto Moreno, both of whom have been tentatively linked with the Lotus F1 team in the past.

Gugelmin, who won the British Formula 3 Championship in a Ralt two years ago, had a disappointing 1986 season in F3000, driving a John Player Special-liveried March. A great friend of Ayrton Senna (he and his wife share a house with the Lotus team leader), his name was mentioned as a possible Lotus number two as the start of last season. However, the rumours came to nothing and his F3000 season was a disappointing anti-climax. He will be looking to 1987 to re-establish his reputation as a promising new driver.

Moreno unsuccessfully attempted to qualify a Lotus 92 for the 1982 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, standing in for Nigel Mansell after the Englishman had injured his wrist in the Canadian Grand Prix. He seemed unable to adapt to the stiffly-sprung ground effect cars. Moreno was a member of the Ralt-Honda F3000 team in 1984.