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Opes Prime partnership to bring major rewards to Australian Formula 3 Competitors |
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Sunday, 14 October 2007 |
Formula 3
Australia has today announced a major partnership with Opes Prime
Stockbroking, Ltd. that will provide unprecedented prizes and
opportunities for career advancement not seen before in Australian
Open Wheel racing or the Australian Drivers
Championship
Over $500,000 in prizes will be available to
competitors in the 2008 F3 championship.
Thanks to the new
partnership, the winner of the 2008 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3
Championship for the CAMS Gold Star will receive the opportunity to
take a fully-funded drive in the 2009 Formula V6 Asia Championship
in an Opes Prime sponsored car.
Formula V6 Asia, based on the
European Formula Renault V6 series, will be a step below the new GP2
Asia championship – giving local drivers unprecedented potential to
race their way into Formula 1’s major feeder
category.
Alternatively, the Australian Drivers Champion can
choose to receive $80,000 in prize money provided by Opes Prime.
The championship class competition will feature
new-to-Australia 2007-specification Dallara chassis powered by a
wide variety of engines, including Mugen Honda, Spiess Opel and
Mercedes-Benz.
Most major local outfits have already
purchased 2007 chassis from front running European teams.
An
internal promotion system will also be introduced thanks to the
support of Opes Prime, with the winner of the 2008 National Class
series winning the right to negotiate fully-funded championship
class drive with Opes Prime the following season.
The
National Class champion will also have the option to receive $40,000
in cash, instead.
To be eligible for the prize, National
Class competitors must drive a 2004-specification Formula 3 chassis
powered by an X004 Spiess engine.
An agreement has been made
with Spiess tuning to provide engines to National Class competitors
at a highly affordable rate, with engines serviced and rebuilt
locally following purchase.
Engine tuning expert Paul Barker
will be present at all rounds and engine data will be made available
to all teams in the National Class to ensure parity and closeness of
competition.
All registered National Class teams will have
access to a spare engine at all times throughout the
season.
Whilst only registered teams utilising the F304 –
Spiess package will be eligible for the class prizes, existing cars
powered by other engines will continue to remain eligible for the
National Class championship.
Opes Prime signage will appear
on all Formula 3 cars nominated to be eligible for the prizes
offered in 2008.
F301 and older cars will remain eligible for
the Trophy Class competition, retaining the three-tier class
structure based on chassis model year.
“The Australian
Formula 3 Championship is already one of the most cost effective in
the world, and we are confident that today’s announcement will
further enhance this status,” Formula 3 Australia chairman James
Rosenberg said.
”Formula 3 racing is all about developing
racing talent, and never before will drivers have the chance to
advance their careers by racing Australian Formula 3.
”The
engine deal will allow National Class competitors to contest their
own championship with a high level of competition but at a highly
affordable cost.
”The on-track support and data sharing will
ensure that the National Class series will be equally as competitive
as the fight for the Australian Drivers Championship.
“This
announcement is an incredible sign of support from Anthony Blumberg
and Opes Prime Stockbroking. They have shown their support already
by entering two cars in the championship this season and we are
delighted to welcome their further input in the
championship.
”We will be announcing our 2008 calendar within
the month and we are expecting to feature on several major events
that will only serve to make the championship more attractive to
sponsors, media and supporters.
”We are confident that in
2008, the Australian Formula 3 Championship will be an equal in
terms of competitiveness, and the most cost-effective, Formula 3
series anywhere in the world.” He said.
For more information
about the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship please visit
www.formula3.com.au
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