British Formula One Series

The British Formula One Series, often abbreviated to British F1, was a Formula One motor racing championship held in the United Kingdom. It was often referred to as the Aurora AFX Formula One series due to the Aurora company's sponsorship of the series for three of the four seasons.

The long established Ford DFV engine helped make the series possible between 1978 and 1980. As in the South African Formula One Championship a decade or so before, second hand cars from manufacturers like Lotus and Fittipaldi Automotive were run by many entrants, although some, such as the March 781, were built specifically for the series. In 1980 Desiré Wilson became the only woman to win a Formula One race. She won at Brands Hatch driving a Wolf.

Origins

The British Formula One Series was a successor to the older Group 8 Shellsport Championship, which had previously run for Formula 5000 cars. In 1977 the series was opened up to allow Formula One cars to race and the BRSCC upgraded it to a full Formula One championship a year later.Formula Two cars were also present on the grid to make up the numbers.