The 500 Owners Association

The 500 brings the legendary F3 cars from the 1950s back to the race track. Many of the entries in this 500cc Formula 3 series are Coopers built between 1948 and 1960. These models, such as the Cooper-Norton Mk5, were driven by some of the most famous names of the sport at an early stage of their career, including Sir Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, Ken Tyrell and even a certain Bernie Ecclestone.

Hard Facts: 500 Owner Association

• The racing series was inaugurated in the late 1940s
• In 1949, the FIA recognised the 500cc Formula 3 as the first international formula racing series
• Divided into three classes (P1 from 1945 to 1950, P2 from 1951 to 1953, P3 from 1954 to 1960)

Powered by a motorcycle engine, the 500 with its simple design (seatbelt and roll bar not fitted) still fascinates racegoers today. The 50-horsepower 500cc Formula 3 cars make heavy demands on the drivers. The narrower tyres in particular make vehicle control difficult. For this reason, the drivers usually position one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the underside of the car in order to optimise weight distribution when cornering.