THERE are many classes of motorsport that claim to be the definitive step on the way to the top,
but not many can boast that included in their ranks were the likes of Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen,
Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Eddie Irvine, Juan Pablo Montoya, Gil de Ferran and Dario
Franchitti (among others). The European Formula Drivers' Association and Formula Opel Euroseries can.
Founded by Dan Partel in 1978 to give drivers a step between formula ford and formula 3, the series
has a long and illustrious list of past competitors.
In its final years (shown here in 1998, it finished in 1999) it was a one chassis one engine formula,
using a Aluminium honeycomb monocque, with glassfibre laminate bodywork, and adjustable aluminium wings
front and rear, powered by a Opel 2.0 litre 16V four cylinder 158bhp, 0-62mph 4.5s top speed up to 160mph
