Formula Three witnessed three major changes in 1985; in an attempt to eliminate ground effects, flat-bottomed cars became mandatory; the cancellation of the FIA European Formula Three Championship; and the arrival of Reynard Motorsport, giving Ralt the real rival for the first time since March Engineering stop building F3 cars after the 1981 season.
Using a revolutionary carbon-fibre monocoque, a first for F3, Reynard manufacturer cars at the same pace as Ralt, but Adrian Reynard had a knack of producing cars that won on their race debut.
The Reynard 853 kept that record going, when Andy Wallace won the opening race of the season.
Ralt drivers later took over: Gerrit van Kouwan won three races after the break and notched up 40 pts.
All the momentum was with the man from Joinville, Brazil, and Gugelmin won both these easily to win the Championship.