The EFDA Nations Cup was a Formula Opel competition which was held between 1990 and 1998. The competition pitted international drivers against each other in similar cars, with drivers representing their nations. It was founded by Dan Partel within the Formula Opel/Vauxhall racing series.
The first Nations Cup race was held at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on 19–20 July 1990, and organised by the European Formula Drivers Association (EFDA).
History In 1990, drivers representing 25 countries were already 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 teams from its active list of competitors.
The format of the event remained the same for the next eight years, with two drivers from each country racing in virtually identical Formula Opel/Vauxhall racing cars painted in their national colours.
The EFDA selected the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, licensed to start 46 cars or 23 two-car teams, for the inaugural event. The winners received the Nations Cup, and the top three teams were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. The event preceded the Spa 24 Hours race, and occurred in the middle of the racing season.
Champions Season Venue Teams Drivers Champion Second Third 1990 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 17 34 (Pedro Lamy, Diogo Castro Santos) 1991 Circuit Park Zandvoort 18 36 (Pedro Lamy, Diogo Castro Santos) 1992 Autódromo do Estoril 14 28 (Martijn Koene, Jos Verstappen) 1993 Autódromo do Estoril 15 30 (Martin Albrecht, Hubert Stromberger) 1994 Circuit Park Zandvoort 18 36 (Tom Coronel, Donny Crevels) 1995 Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours 15 30 (Manuel Gião, André Couto) 1996 Donington Park 13 26 (Pierre Kaffer, Norman Simon) 1997 Donington Park 13 26 (Giovanni Montanari, Giovanni Anapoli) 1998 Circuit Park Zandvoort 5 10 (Darren Malkin, Justin Sherwood)
References
1992 Nations Cup - YouTube (in Portuguese) 1995 Nations Cup Pt 1 - YouTube 1995 Nations Cup Pt 3 - YouTube 1996 Nations Cup Pt 1 - YouTube 1996 Nations Cup Pt 2 - YouTube Team Australia documentary - YouTube
External links Fastlines International