F3/GT Action Heads North of the Border

05 May 2003

The focus of British motor racing switches to Scotland this weekend (May 10/11) as the Knockhill circuit plays host to rounds of the 2003 British F3 Championship gripped by AVON Tyres and the BRDC British GT Championship. For motor racing fans in Scotland, it is the biggest event of the season and with no less than four F3 races, two 40-minute GT races and a great programme of support races, it promises to be a real highland thriller.

Headlining the race action will be four races making up rounds seven and eight of the British F3 Championship, the world's finest proving ground for rising young stars. This year 85% of the current Formula 1 drivers made their name in F3, and the class of 2003 seems certain to spotlight several future stars of the sport. Uniquely at Knockhill, the racers in the Scholarship class have two races to themselves, giving drivers like Yorkshireman Christian England the chance to race for outright victory.

Against world-wide opposition in the Championship class, young stars Rob Austin, Danny Watts and Jamie Green are carrying British hopes, while Scot Andrew Thompson will be out to use his local knowledge to maximum benefit. However, fresh from victory at Croft last weekend, Alan van der Merwe (South Africa) is the man at the head of the points table. The other victory at Croft went to Aussie Will Davison, while young Nelson Piquet Junior will make his Knockhill debut as he strives to follow his famous father to the top of the sport. The pit-road walkabout will give fans the chance to meet these rising stars of the sport.

Flame-spitting 500bhp monsters pack the grid for the round three of the British GT Championship, with an entry of Porsches, Ferraris, TVRs, Morgans, Lotuses, Corvettes and many other marques. With a pair of 40-minute sprint races, this should be a real thriller. Some of the top names in national racing will be on the grid, including the stunning USA-built Mosler supercars. Sure to grab the fans? attention will be the mighty Chevrolet Corvette of Peter Le Bas/Ricky Cole, while Edinburgh?s Tim Bartlett is due to make his British GT debut at his home track.

Always awesome at Knockhill are the thundering TVR Tuscans and it is young chargers Lee Caroline and David Mason who head the pack on the way to Scotland. They have already enjoyed some marvellous battles, and that spectacle should continue at Knockhill. Plenty of home interest will be contained in the supporting races, as rounds of the Scottish Formula Ford Championship, Scottish Legends Championship and Scottish Mini Cooper Challenge are all on the schedule.

After qualifying throughout Saturday (10 May), Sunday's action starts early with the GT warm-up session at 9.30am, followed by the opening Formula Ford race at 10am and the first F3 race at 11.05am. The pit-road walkabout starts at 1.30pm.

See series calendar for British Formula 3

See events calendar for Knockhill Circuit