Thruxton, the UK’s fastest road course circuit, provided the setting for the season finale in 2006 and the final race of the year was arguably the best finish of the season with a three way battle into the final corner that saw Yelmer Buurman snatch the win from Christian Bakkerud and Oliver Jarvis.
Marko Asmer, with nine wins from sixteen starts, has been the dominant force this. With a perfect weekend of two poles, two wins and two fastest laps at Silverstone, the Hitech Racing star driver has proved nearly unstoppable.
Carlin Motorsport’s Maro Engel is the nearest championship rival but the German driver is currently 84 points adrift of Asmer. Wins at Oulton Park and Monza, along with four further podium finishes, have demonstrated that Engel has a bright future as he progresses through the motorsport ranks.
Engel’s Carlin team mate, Sam Bird has been one the star ‘finds’ during the 2007 season. The Formula Renault graduate has taken wins on the streets of Bucharest and at Spa and six further podium finishes.
Greg Mansell, 19-year-old son of F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell, made his British F3 debut at Thruxton in 2006 and this year has been a tough one for him. Greg is only in his second full season of racing and has been steadily gaining experience throughout the year.
Thruxton is a firm favourite with all the drivers and the low downforce circuit provides plenty of opportunity to overtake, especially into the final corner, which provided so much racing action in 2006.
For all the latest news, results, TV schedule and post race press conference interviews for the Lloyds TSB British F3 International Series visit the championship website at www.britishf3international.com
As a side note, a group of F3 drivers will be setting up in a small driver zoo in the Dolphin shopping Centre in Poole today. Marko Asmer, Sam Bird, Bradley Ellis and Phiroze Bilimoria will be there to sign autographs and pose for pictures from 11am - 3pm. Turn up early to avoid disappointment...