The Ralt RT33 was a

Formula 3 Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One driv ...

racing car Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...

that was developed and built by

Ralt Ralt was a manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, founded by ex-Jack Brabham associate Ron Tauranac after he sold out his interest in Brabham to Bernie Ecclestone. Ron and his brother had built some specials in Australia in the 1950s under t ...

in 1989 and was used in various Formula 3 championships. A total of 37 chassis' were made.

Development history and technology

The RT33 was the logical further development of the RT32 from 1988. As with the previous model, the RT33 used both

aluminum Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. It has ...

and

carbon fiber Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...

as the material for the monocoque chassis. To improve aerodynamics, Ron Tauranac rented a wind tunnel during the development phase. The result was new sidepods and a completely new rear end with a rear wing that was connected to the body on the left and right. New regulations and the resulting radial tires that Avon supplied made it necessary to revise the suspension in order to achieve better traction. The engines came from

Volkswagen Volkswagen (),English: , . abbreviated as VW (), is a German Automotive industry, motor vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front under the Nazi Party and revived into a ...

and

Mugen Mugen, a word of Japanese origin meaning "infinite", may refer to: * "Mugen" (Nana Mizuki song), 2009 * "Mugen" (Porno Graffitti song), 2002 *''M.U.G.E.N'', a freeware 2D fighting game engine *Mugen Motorsports, a Japanese automotive company *Muge ...

. A total of 118 chassis were built and delivered by Ralt in 1989 and 1990. Power outputs for the

four-cylinder engines The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized. Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categorize ...

was around .

Racing history

In 1989, the RT33 became the all-important racing car in the Formula 3 racing series. In the British Formula 3 Championship ,

David Brabham David Brabham (born 5 September 1965) is an Australian professional racing driver and one of the most successful and experienced specialists in sports car racing. He has won three international Sports Car series and is one of four Australians t ...

won the general classification ahead of fellow drivers Allan McNish and

Derek Higgins Derek Higgins ( ga, Ruaridh Ó hUiginn; born June 12, 1964) is an Irish former race car driver. Born in Dublin, he was a two-time winner of the Mexican Formula 3 championship in 1995 and 1997 before moving to the American Indy Lights series in 1 ...

. Steve Robertson was fifth overall and Belgian

Philippe Adams Philippe Adams (born 19 November 1969 in Mouscron, Belgium) is a racing driver. Career Early career Adams first began in motorsport at the age of twelve, racing karts, before beginning in car racing in 1984. In 1992, Adams competed in the B ...

sixth. In the German championship, Karl Wendlinger triumphed, whose RT33 was entered by Helmut Marko. In the Japanese series,

Masahiko Kageyama is a former racing driver from Japan. He participated in the Japanese Grand Touring Car series in the top category between 1993 and 2002. Kageyama won the inaugural Japanese Grand Touring Car championship, in the Nismo Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 ...

remained successful with five race wins.

References

{{reflist Open wheel racing cars Formula Three cars