NOVEMBER 8, 2006

Asian F3 to join Melbourne programme?

There are reports from the Philippines that the Asian Formula 3 Series could be called in to be a support race for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next year. An announcement is expected shortly. The series sounds rather grand but lacks the competitive edge of some of Europe's series and has only around 15 cars at each event. This yera's championship was won by Briton James Winslow, who moved to Asia to try to progress his career,not having the money to race at home. He beat Tyson Sy of the Philippines and Ireland's Ali Jackson, while another Briton Dillon Battistini was fourth. Christian Jones (son of F1 champ Alan) won the 2005 championship but failed to make much of an impression in Europe while others have gone into the A1 Grand Prix Series. A few months ago there was talk that the championship might switch to the winter months, a move which would enable more Europeans, Americans and Japanese drivers to take part in the series, which boasts two rounds at the Batangas circuit in the Philippines, two at Zhuhai in China and one at Sentul in Indonesia.

The series is run by the Asian Formula 3 Corporation (AF3), which is a Philippine company, based in Manila. Shareholders in the business include teams that are involved in the championship while the board is chaired by Eddie Pena.

The move would presumably mean that some of the Australian F3 runners would be able to compete to give the crowds local heroes to cheer for.