British racers Martin Stretton and Matthew Watts shared the victories as the Historic Formula 2 Championship started at Hockenheim in Germany over the weekend (16/17 April).

Stretton won the opener in his March 742, while Watts won the second race in his March 772 as Darwin Smith (March 722) impressed on his debut run in the championship. The former modern single-seater ace from Northern Ireland ran strongly against the two more experienced F2 racers, but was forced to retire from the second race with an overheating engine. The tone for the weekend was set in qualifying as Stretton, Watts and Smith set the top three times.

Stretton stamped his authority on the opening race from the start as Smith battled ahead of Watts. Eventually, Watts got back ahead of Smith but Stretton was out of reach as oil went down and made the track very slippery. Watts even had a quick spin on the oil at the Sachs Kurve, but didn’t lose a place.

Peter Wuensch (Ralt RT1) headed Richard Eyre (March 782) for fourth, while Diogo Ferrao (March 712) topped the 1600cc class from the ever-consistent Walter Nef (March 712M).

Stretton’s bid for a double win took a major knock at the start of the second race when he was slow off the line thanks to a clutch problem. He dropped five places by the first corner as Watts made good his escape. Smith ran second as Stretton set about making up lost ground and he worked through to second as Smith was forced to switch his overheating engine off.

Hans Peter took third in his Ralt RT1 from Wuensch, while Ian Ashley (March 79B) cured his misfire problems from the first race to finish fifth and win the Formula Atlantic class. Ferrao repeated his 1600cc class win from Nef and David Brown (Brabham BT30).

Races three and four of the Historic Formula 2 season will be at the Donington Historic Festival (April 30/May 1) when an entry of more than 30 cars is expected.