Indian racer quickest in Formula Three test
Suk Sandher took his campaign to contest the 2005 British Formula Three Championship to a new level with a superb display at the media day for the high profile series at Silverstone. Driving in the national class - for older chassis - Suk not only dominated that category but set a best time good enough to be in the top ten overall, ahead of drivers in much newer cars.
Driving a Mugen powered Dallara chassis for the Performance Racing team, Suk gained further track time and Formula Three experience from the day as he seeks to put together a package that will let him contest a championship that - given his performance to date - he has the opportunity to be a real force in. A race winner in the 2004 UK Formula Ford Championship, Formula Three is the next logical step in Suk's motorsport career.
"I've had three tests now with the team," explained Suk, from Warwick, "and they've sent me out with the instruction to be quickest in the National class and that is what we have been able to do. We went into the media day at Silverstone with less mileage that most of the others, so it was great to finish ninth overall and be in a position to give the Championship Class cars something to think about.
"We worked on the car's set-up in the morning, then were able to put in some good laps in the afternoon, and that paid off. We're still learning about the Dallara-Mugen, and there is still more pace to come.
"My aim to be able to do the full British Formula Three Championship season, but we are still a long way from having the budget to do that. I'm still talking to several teams to see what we can put together, doing the season with Performance would be great, and I'm hopeful of doing the first races. After that it may be a case of looking at things on a race by race basis and doing deals as the season progresses, but the choice of team is important - it needs to be one I feel I can work well with and develop the car."
The British Formula Three Championship has been acknowledged as one of the most competitive race series in the world, the high-tech cars giving drivers the opportunity to hone their race and technical skills. In the past the championship has provided a showcase for the best of the world's up and coming young talent, and a springboard to the top of the sport for names such as Ayrton Senna, David Coulthard and Jenson Button.
The 2005 will be the most international ever for the series, with races in five countries on famous Grand Prix circuits such as Silverstone, Monza in Italy, Belgium's Spa Francorchamp circuit, and the new Nurburgring in Germany. The series starts on April 3rd at Donington Park in the East Midlands of the UK.
