Promatecme UK have signed Ulsters Steven Kane to contest this seasons British Formula Three International series.
24 year old Kane will race a Lola B05/30 with a Neil Brown prepared Mugen-Honda engine, in what will be his first year of British F3 Championship class racing.
From Newtownards in Northern Ireland, Kane has a successful pedigree in single seater racing having been champion in the 2000 Northern Ireland Formula Ford and the 2001 British Formula Ford Championships as well as runner-up in the 2003 British F3 Scholarship class. Steven was also the winner of the prestigious McLaren/Autosport young driver of the year in 2001, testing a McLaren-Mercedes Formula One car as part of his prize.
On signing for the Silverstone based Promatecme Team, Steven was delighted to be on the grid for the 2005 season, saying; “This is a fantastic move for my career and I am very much looking forward to racing for Promatecme in a Lola this season. Despite the late nature of the announcement I feel that with the teams pedigree for success and Lola’s commitment to F3, we can really make an impression this season.”
Promatecme boss Chris Weller was equally delighted with the deal to run Kane, saying; “We are highly delighted to have Steven on board this year as we saw in 2003 what he can do in an F3 car. We have a lot of work to do before the first race next weekend but I am confident that we can have a memorable season of racing in 2005.”
Kane’s first test in the new Lola will be on Thursday at Donington in preparation for Sunday’s race. This years series looks set to be one of the most closely fought in recent years with news teams and drivers vying for the title of one of the world’s toughest and most respected single seater series. Steven can count on the expertise of 1996 Formula One World champion Damon Hill who acts as his mentor.
Lola Cars International Ltd entered F3 in 2003 and were the first constructor in 11 years to beat Dallara when Danny Watts scored a convincing victory at Castle Combe last June.
For 2005 the Lola B05/30 has undergone intensive aerodynamic evaluation since last summer with Lola’s renowned CFD capability. That was used as a base study before the project was switched to Lola’s on site, state of the art 50% scale rolling road windtunnel. Specific aero changes on the car include re-profiled sidepods and front wing assembly, as well as a completely new underbody. Lola have also worked hard to improve the car’s behavior over kerbs and have completed a number of simulations in their own 7-post dynamic test rig.
The B05/30 also features a unique option for its customers in that the car can run three configurations of spring settings. Twin shock, monoshock and a third spring option can be used to suit individual circuits and driver’s tastes. Initial testing has also been conducted using the new Pankl gearbox, which has been packaged to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
