This weekend sees the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series boys start their attack on the standings for the Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge.
The Italian Grand Prix circuit of Monza plays host to the first British Formula 3 race of the season and is the drivers first chance to earn points towards the highly sought after seat at the Rolex 24 in Daytona. Testing has been taking place over the last couple of months and has shown that the championship is all to play for.
The first official test at Rockingham saw eighteen-year-old Felipe Nasr give early notice of his intentions in the Cooper Tires Formula 3 International Series. The Brazilian was one of only two drivers in the 18-man field to break the 1m 11s barrier and his best time was very nearly 1.2 seconds inside last year’s Rockingham pole time. Nasr was one of the first F3 racers to sign up for the Sunoco Daytona Challenge and will be one to look out for along with team mate Carlos Huertas who has also signed up for the Challenge; both emerged on top of a two day test at Silverstone just after Rockingham.
Rupert Svendsen-Cook has also already signed up to potentially win the drive at Daytona and has consistently been placing good lap times. After a win on his debut for the Carlin team last year, Rupert has upped his game and made his intentions clear for 2011 - aiming for the drivers’ title: “That’s what I want to achieve. I really want to win the Championship and I’ve prepared really, really hard over the winter to achieve that. I am with the best team, with the best people, so now it’s down to me to do the job.”
Scott Pye is another serious contender in not only the Challenge but also for the Formula 3 championship title. In the March test at Oulton Park the 21-year-old was comfortably the quickest man on the Cheshire circuit which will play host to the championship at Easter. Pye’s Mercedes-engine Dallara lapped the 2.7 mile circuit in 1m 27.621s, more than a second inside last year’s pole position time set by eventual British F3 champion and runner up in the Sunoco Daytona Challenge, Jean Eric Vergne. Hot on his heals is Pye’s team mate at Double R, Pipo Derani who has also been posting very credible lap times in testing.
William Buller, Lucas Foresti and Harry Tincknell are all with the Fortec Motorsport team and have also signed up to the Sunoco Daytona Challenge. 19-year-old Tincknell, who moves into F3 after success in Karts and Formula Renault is thrilled at the chance to race in America: “I’m very excited about the Challenge, I’ve heard a lot about it and now that I’m in a qualifying series I can’t wait to give it my best shot.”
The newly renamed “Rookie Championship” for less experienced drivers has been lead by Bart Hylkema with T-Sport. Bart has also registered for the Sunoco Daytona Challenge, showing the excitement that is there with the new drivers already, for a drive at Daytona.
This weekend also sees the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship race their second round at Rockingham, and with the British GT first point scoring round at Oulton Park over Easter - the point standings will be all change very soon!
