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ACI HISTORIC RACING WEEK-END 2025

Chi la dura la vince !

From October 24 to 26, 2025, the drivers of the Formula Classic Interseries gathered at the Misano World Circuit, near Rimini (Italy), for the season finale. This unique event attracted many local competitors, including eight Italian Formula 3 drivers on the starting grid.

After ten races across five circuits in four countries, the Formula Classic Interseries delivered its verdict and crowned its champions!

In F2 Classic Category 1 (2000cc), Briton James Lay managed to maintain his lead and clinched the championship title with 456 points. He finished ahead of Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera (Chevron B42), who scored 423 points, while Wolfgang Kaufmann (Germany) completed the podium just 11 points behind.

In Category 2 (1600cc), Julian Stokes took the title with 586 points, followed by Paul Bason (475 pts) and Marc Sydow (450 pts).

In Category 3 (Atlantic), Keith White claimed the 2025 title with 569 points, ahead of Roland Wiltschegg (489 pts) and Martin Wood (433 pts).

Finally, in F3 Classic, local hero Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera triumphed on home soil. He ended the season with 534 points, 34 ahead of compatriot Davide Leone, while Frédéric Lajoux (Monaco) completed the podium with 417 points.

The F3 Classic drivers opened the weekend with the qualifying session, which was cut short due to a red flag caused by a major oil spill from the oldest car on the grid, Laurent Bayers’ March 753.

At the end of the session, the starting grid for Race 1 was set : Frédéric Rouvier (France) took pole position with a 1:43.586, benefiting from the disqualification of Alexander Weiss (Denmark) for an airbox infringement. Davide Leone (Italy) was second, 1.326 seconds behind (1:44.912), while Éric Martin completed the top three (1:46.149).

Later that morning, the 14 Formula 2 drivers took to the track for their qualifying session. After about ten laps, James Lay (UK) posted the fastest time in 1:36.190, just 0.005 seconds ahead of Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera (Italy). Wolfgang Kaufmann (Germany) was third with 1:36.549.

Race results

1. F3 Classic INTERSERIES : RACE 1

In the early afternoon, the first Formula 3 race began. The start went smoothly at Turn 1, but things got complicated in Turn 2. Pietro Tenconi, braking on the kerb, locked his rear wheels and spun. He lightly clipped Éric Martin—without consequence—before crossing the track in reverse. Valerio Leone couldn’t avoid him, and their cars made contact, sending Leone’s car briefly airborne before it landed safely. Unfortunately, he had to retire.

At the front, Frédéric Rouvier (Martini MK39) held off Davide Leone (March 783), while Alexander Weiss (Ralt RT3)—starting from the back—made an incredible charge, gaining thirteen positions on the first lap! Two laps later, he was already in third place. Bruno Houzelot (Martini MK42), despite a good start, dropped to sixth.

Further back, Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera (Ralt RT3), eight seconds behind the leading trio, battled with Éric Martin (Martini MK39). Pietro Tenconi received a drive-through penalty for unsporting behavior after recovering to 13th place.

By Lap 6, Laurent Bayers retired with a mechanical issue, soon followed by Davide Leone, who suffered an engine failure. At the front, Weiss took the lead and pulled away, while Rossi secured third ahead of Martin.

In the final laps, Volker Boehm lost a wheel at Turn 1 and retired, as did Luciano Biamino.

After a lively race, Alexander Weiss took a dominant victory, over twelve seconds ahead of Frédéric Rouvier. Champion Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera completed the podium.

Le top 5 : 1. Weiss (Ralt RT3), 2. Rouvier (Martini MK39), 3. Rossi Di Montelera (Ralt RT3), 4. Martin (Martini MK39), 5. Lajoux (March 793).

2. F2 Classic INTERSERIES : RACE 1

Two hours later, the Formula 2 drivers took the start. The launch was immediately under investigation for possible grid misalignment.

On the first lap, Rossi Di Montelera (Chevron B42) lost two spots to Wolfgang Kaufmann (March 782) and James Lay (March 762), while Mark Charteris (March 782) began closing in on the leading pair.

James Lay quickly took the lead, while Martin Wood (March 73B) received a drive-through penalty on Lap 4.

Behind him, Kaufmann and Rossi engaged in a thrilling battle for second, crossing the line side by side at the end of Lap 10 with 0.0 seconds between them !

Further back, Stefano Rosina and Roland Wiltschegg fought fiercely until the Italian was forced to retire.

Up front, Kaufmann capitalized on a mistake by Lay to seize the lead. Rossi pushed hard in the final lap, but victory went to the German by just 0.106 seconds. Lay, the early leader, finished third.

Le top 5 : 1. Kaufmann (March 782), 2. Rossi Di Montelera (Chevron B42), 3. Lay (March 762), 4. Charteris (March 782), 5. Adelman (March 782).

3. F3 Classic INTERSERIES : COURSE 2

On Sunday morning, under sunny skies, the 18 Formula 3 cars lined up for Race 2.

Alexander Weiss immediately set the pace, chased by Frédéric Rouvier. After his DNF the day before, Davide Leone made a stunning comeback – fifth on Lap 1, fourth a lap later, and then overtaking Rossi Di Montelera.

Further down the order, Frédéric Lajoux struggled for rhythm in ninth, while Luciano Biamino made a pit stop before rejoining.

At the front, Weiss pulled away with consistent, fast laps. In the closing stages, Leone pressured Rouvier for second, but the Frenchman held firm despite oil on the track between Turns 3 and 6.

Untouchable once again, Alexander Weiss claimed another convincing win, over ten seconds clear of Rouvier, who narrowly kept second place by three-tenths over an impressive Leone.

Le top 5 : 1. Weiss (Ralt RT3), 2. Rouvier (Martini MK39), 3. Leone (March 783), 4. Rossi Di Montelera (Ralt RT3), 5. Martin (Martini MK39).

4. F2 Classic INTERSERIES : COURSE 2

To wrap up the season, the Formula 2 cars faced off one last time under the Misano sun. The start went smoothly, except for a drive-through penalty issued to Graham Adelman for missing the pre-grid procedure.

Laurent Vallery-Masson (March 77B), starting last after mechanical issues, gained two spots on Lap 1. Meanwhile, Mark Charteris (March 782) returned to the pits early and retired.

At the front, Wolfgang Kaufmann and James Lay battled for the win until the Briton retired with a mechanical problem. Meanwhile, Adelman served his penalty.

At mid-race, Vallery-Masson was up to sixth, overtaking Julian Stokes on Lap 7. Behind Roland Wiltschegg (Chevron B39), Martin Wood and Keith White fought hard, separated by less than six-tenths, while Adelman continued his recovery.

Wolfgang Kaufmann completed a brilliant double victory, finishing more than fifty seconds ahead of Keith White, with Martin Wood just two seconds behind.

Le top 5 : 1. Kaufmann (March 782), 2. White (March 76B ), 3. Wood (March 73B), 4. Vallery-Masson (March 77B), 5. Adelman (March 782).

Relive the ACI HISTORIC RACING WEEKEND in pictures

For those who wish to relive the highlights of the weekend, several online resources offer photo and video galleries :