EFDA Nations Cup
Encyclopedia
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|The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country. The Formula Opel/Vauxhall one make racing series offered the best opportunity for such an event.
That dream became a reality when the first Nations Cup race was held at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, on July 19th and 20th, 1990 and organised by the European Formula Drivers Association (EFDA).
Subsequently, most attempts to organize such competitions had been half-hearted efforts, or attempted and discontinued. With this idea in mind, EFDA's founder, Dan Partel conceived the NATIONS CUP, a competition for national teams. EFDA had invested ten years in developing the concept.
Partel describes the evolution of the concept; "A number of factors had to come together at the same time before it was possible to stage such an event. First, we needed a class of racing in which all cars are equal. The GM Lotus Formula with its one-make chassis, engine, and tire combination, proved ideal. In fact, the NATIONS CUP was part of my original thinking when first proposing the Formula to General Motors."
In 1990, drivers representing 25 countries were already actively participating in the various Formula Vauxhall/Opel Lotus Series. The NATIONS CUP format called for two-car national teams. The Formula Vauxhall/Opel Lotus racing series was the only series that could muster twenty legitimate two-car national equipes from its active list of competitors.
The format of the event was to remain the same for the next eight years. That is, two drivers from each country racing in virtually identical Formula Opel/Vauxhall racing cars painted in their national colors.
EFDA selected the site for the first NATIONS CUP with great care. The famed Spa-Francorchamps circuit is licensed to start 46 cars or 23 two-car teams. It would be an Olympic-style event. Beside winning the coveted NATIONS CUP, the top three teams would be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The event preceded the 24 hours of Spa. The weekend event occurred in the middle of the racing season. Traditionally, 85.000 spectators attend the 24-hour race while millions more around the globe would see the race on TV.
The Nations Cup was a precursor to A1 Grand Prix
of Nations.
! Season
! Venue
! Teams
! Drivers
! Champion
! Second
! Third
|-
! 1990
|
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
| 17
| 34
|
Portugal (Pedro Lamy
, Diogo Castro Santos
)
|
Brazil
|
Sweden
|-
! 1991
|
Circuit Park Zandvoort
| 18
| 36
| Portugal (Pedro Lamy
, Diogo Castro Santos
)
|
Germany
| Sweden
|-
! 1992
| Autódromo do Estoril
| 14
| 28
| Netherlands (Martin Koene, Jos Verstappen
)
| Portugal
|
Italy
|-
! 1993
| Autódromo do Estoril
| 15
| 30
|
Austria (Martin Albrecht, Hubert Stromberger
)
| Belgium
| Brazil
|-
! 1994
| Circuit Park Zandvoort
| 18
| 36
| Netherlands (Tom Coronel
, Donny Crevels
)
| Austria
| Portugal
|-
! 1995
|
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
| 15
| 30
| Portugal (Manuel Gião
, André Couto
)
| Netherlands
|
United Kingdom
|-
! 1996
| Donington Park
| 13
| 26
| Germany (Pierre Kaffer
, Norman Simon)
|
United States
| Brazil
|-
! 1997
| Donington Park
| 13
| 26
| Italy (Giovanni Montanari, Giovanni Anapoli
)
| Brazil
| Germany
|-
! 1998
| Circuit Park Zandvoort
| 5
| 10
| United Kingdom (Darren Malkin, Justin Sherwood)
| Netherlands
| United States
|}
|-
|The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country. The Formula Opel/Vauxhall one make racing series offered the best opportunity for such an event.
That dream became a reality when the first Nations Cup race was held at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, on July 19th and 20th, 1990 and organised by the European Formula Drivers Association (EFDA).
Subsequently, most attempts to organize such competitions had been half-hearted efforts, or attempted and discontinued. With this idea in mind, EFDA's founder, Dan Partel conceived the NATIONS CUP, a competition for national teams. EFDA had invested ten years in developing the concept.
Partel describes the evolution of the concept; "A number of factors had to come together at the same time before it was possible to stage such an event. First, we needed a class of racing in which all cars are equal. The GM Lotus Formula with its one-make chassis, engine, and tire combination, proved ideal. In fact, the NATIONS CUP was part of my original thinking when first proposing the Formula to General Motors."
In 1990, drivers representing 25 countries were already actively participating in the various Formula Vauxhall/Opel Lotus Series. The NATIONS CUP format called for two-car national teams. The Formula Vauxhall/Opel Lotus racing series was the only series that could muster twenty legitimate two-car national equipes from its active list of competitors.
The format of the event was to remain the same for the next eight years. That is, two drivers from each country racing in virtually identical Formula Opel/Vauxhall racing cars painted in their national colors.
EFDA selected the site for the first NATIONS CUP with great care. The famed Spa-Francorchamps circuit is licensed to start 46 cars or 23 two-car teams. It would be an Olympic-style event. Beside winning the coveted NATIONS CUP, the top three teams would be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The event preceded the 24 hours of Spa. The weekend event occurred in the middle of the racing season. Traditionally, 85.000 spectators attend the 24-hour race while millions more around the globe would see the race on TV.
The Nations Cup was a precursor to A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
of Nations.
Champions
{|class="wikitable"! Season
! Venue
! Teams
! Drivers
! Champion
! Second
! Third
|-
! 1990
1990 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Circuit de Spa-FrancorchampsCircuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
| 17
| 34
|
Portugal (Pedro LamyPedro Lamy
José Pedro Mourão Lamy Viçoso, OIH, better known as Pedro Lamy , is a professional racing driver from Portugal. He is notable for being the first Portuguese driver to score a point in a World Championship event, in the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, for Minardi...
, Diogo Castro Santos
Diogo Castro Santos
Diogo Castro Santos is a Portuguese racing driver. He has competed in such series as the EFDA Nations Cup and the German Formula Three Championship. He finished in second-place in the Masters of Formula 3 race of 1992....
)
|
Brazil|
Sweden|-
! 1991
1991 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Circuit Park ZandvoortCircuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
| 18
| 36
|
Portugal (Pedro LamyPedro Lamy
José Pedro Mourão Lamy Viçoso, OIH, better known as Pedro Lamy , is a professional racing driver from Portugal. He is notable for being the first Portuguese driver to score a point in a World Championship event, in the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, for Minardi...
, Diogo Castro Santos
Diogo Castro Santos
Diogo Castro Santos is a Portuguese racing driver. He has competed in such series as the EFDA Nations Cup and the German Formula Three Championship. He finished in second-place in the Masters of Formula 3 race of 1992....
)
|
Germany|
Sweden|-
! 1992
1992 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Autódromo do EstorilAutódromo do Estoril
The Autódromo do Estoril is a race course in Portugal, owned by state-run holding management company Parpública. Its length is . It was the home of the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996....
| 14
| 28
|
Netherlands (Martin Koene, Jos VerstappenJos Verstappen
Johannes Franciscus "Jos" Verstappen nicknamed "Jos the Boss" is a Dutch racing driver. He is the most successful Dutch Formula One driver, and has also won races in A1 Grand Prix and Le Mans Series LMP2 races...
)
|
Portugal|
Italy|-
! 1993
1993 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Autódromo do EstorilAutódromo do Estoril
The Autódromo do Estoril is a race course in Portugal, owned by state-run holding management company Parpública. Its length is . It was the home of the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996....
| 15
| 30
|
Austria (Martin Albrecht, Hubert StrombergerHubert Stromberger
Hubert Stromberger is a former Austrian racing driver. He competed in one CART Championship Car race for Project Indy in 1995 at Road America where he started 27th and finished 16th. He also attempted to qualify at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a month later but failed to make the race...
)
|
Belgium|
Brazil|-
! 1994
1994 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Circuit Park ZandvoortCircuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
| 18
| 36
|
Netherlands (Tom CoronelTom Coronel
Tom Romeo Coronel is a Dutch auto racing driver. Tom's twin brother Tim is also a racer, just like their father Tom Coronel Sr...
, Donny Crevels
Donny Crevels
Donny "The Don" Crevels is a Dutch racing driver. He has raced in such series as Le Mans Series, V8Star Series and the FIA GT Championship. In 1998, he won the Italian Formula Three Championship with Prema Powerteam...
)
|
Austria|
Portugal|-
! 1995
1995 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Circuit de Nevers Magny-CoursCircuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km from Paris...
| 15
| 30
|
Portugal (Manuel GiãoManuel Gião
Manuel Gião is a Portuguese racing driver. He has competed in such series as Euro Open by Nissan, Italian Formula 3000, International GT Open and the German Formula Three Championship. He represented Portugal many times in the EFDA Nations Cup.-External links:*...
, André Couto
André Couto
André Couto is a Portuguese motor racing driver who races with a Macau licence.-Early years:André Couto started his career in Karting in Macau influenced by the popular Macau Grand Prix and friends who competed in the local Karting championship...
)
|
Netherlands|
United Kingdom|-
! 1996
1996 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Donington ParkDonington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
| 13
| 26
|
Germany (Pierre KafferPierre Kaffer
Pierre Kaffer is a race driver from Germany, currently living in Switzerland.-Career:...
, Norman Simon)
|
United States|
Brazil|-
! 1997
1997 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Donington ParkDonington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
| 13
| 26
|
Italy (Giovanni Montanari, Giovanni AnapoliGiovanni Anapoli
Giovanni Anapoli is a race car driver born in Montecchio Precalcino, Italy on 23 August 1974.He began his career in 1994, driving in Italian Formula Europa Boxer, where he would race until 1995 when he moved to Formula Opel Euroseries....
)
|
Brazil|
Germany|-
! 1998
1998 EFDA Nations Cup
The EFDA Nations Cup, was a Country vs Country competition for Formula Opel cars between 1990 and 1998. It had always been Dan Partel's dream to stage a race that pitted drivers in equal cars racing for their country...
|
Circuit Park ZandvoortCircuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
| 5
| 10
|
United Kingdom (Darren Malkin, Justin Sherwood)|
Netherlands|
United States|}