F3000 Autumn Cup scrapped

The BRSCC, the series promoter had already reduced the championship from four races to three to give teams more time to ready themselves. But despite a commitment from top teams such as the Belgian Astromega outfit there was still only a depleted grid in place for the first race at Donington later this month.

"It's a shame," said co-ordinator Peter Briggs, "because it offered the FIA F3000 Championship teams a great chance to evaluate young drivers, but if they can't find the money to compete then there's not a lot we can do. If we couldn't run it properly, it was better not to run it at all."

There have been several failed attempts to get such a series off the ground in recent years and team bosses fear this latest cancellation is yet another nail in the coffin for national Formula 3000.

"It's a disappointment to hear that it has been called off," said Astromega team manager, Sam Boyle. "We thought it was a good idea and were all set to go, but the fact that it hasn't happened will deter people from trying to organise something similar in the future."