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For the first time since 2005, Croft Circuit near Darlington hosts the prestigious
British F3 and GT Championships when the penultimate rounds of both
series head for the North Yorkshire track this forthcoming
weekend.
In the third of their summer feature meetings and following
on from the British Touring Cars in June and the British Superbikes last month, Croft will play
host to the future stars of Formula One in the Lloyds TSB British F3 International
Series as well as some of the most exotic sports cars in the
world with the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.
In the hard
fought F3 series, Estonian Marko Asmer (Hitech Racing) can theoretically wrap up
the the title at Croft as he goes for his tenth win of the season which has seen
the teams visit Bucharest, Monza and Spa as well circuits in the UK. German Maro
Engel lies second in his Carlin Motorsport Dallara followed by three Brits in
the shape of Raikkonen Robertson Racing duo Stephen Jelley and Jonathan Kennard
with Carlin's Sam Bird sandwiched between them.
Irishman Niall
Breen has won this year also, as indeed has Finn Atte Mustonen who took victory
last time out at Thruxton and other international interlopers who could be up
front include Brazilian Alberto Valerio, Swede Sebastian Hohenthal and
Argentinian Esteban Guerrieri.
Famous sons of
famous fathers, all of whom are likely to be at Croft, include Greg and Leo
Mansell along with ex F1 world champion dad Nigel and National class competitor
Viktor Jensen who DJ dad David 'Kid' Jensen is also expected to be
trackside.
In the GT
class, all eyes will be on local hero Jonny Cocker from Guisborough to see if he
can extend his lead in the bio-fuelled Barwell Motorsport Aston Martin
DBRS9 that he shares with Government Minister Lord Paul Drayson but they'll
have their work cut out to fend off a quality field including the likes of team
mates Tom Alexander/Michael Bentwood and Guy Harrington/Be de Zille Butler as
well as the Ascari KZ1R of twins David and Godfrey Jones and the Ferrari 430GT3
of racing priest Hector Lester in the field which includes such other famous
marques as Lamborghini, Dodge, Mosler, Lotus, Morgan, Marcos and
Porsche.
The meeting
also hosts rounds of the British Formula Ford Championship with Northants driver
Callum MacLoed looking to wrap up the title and in the Texaco Havoline Ginetta
Championship, ex rally driver David Henderson from Stanley and York drivers
Richard Sykes and Laura Addison will be hoping for a good result at their local
track, as will Bill Addison from Yarm who races in the Avon Tyres Caterham
Superlight events.
Saturday’s action starts with practice at 09.30 followed by
the first of two races at 16.15 with the opening one hour race for the
British GT cars and Sunday’s ten race programme commences at 12.00
with the second race for the GT's. The two F3 races are scheduled for 12.50 and
16.05 respectively.
Championship
positions and other information can be found at www.fota.co.uk
Adult admission
costs a bargain £12 on Saturday and £15 on Sunday with accompanied children
aged 15 years and under admitted FREE.
Further
information is available from Claire Jones on 01325 721815.
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