Aaron Steele set a stunning pace on his return to the Formula Palmer Audi (FPA) Championship during the series' official test day at Snetterton.
The 21-year-old, from Rochester, Kent, posted a time of 1m05.460s - the second quickest lap of the day.
Steele, a former FPA Shootout winner, had set the pace in the morning session, lapping the 1.952-mile Norfolk circuit in a time of 1m05.920s.
"I haven't been in any race car for six months and I was last in this car back in 2008," Steele, a British Racing Drivers' Club Rising Star, told the official FPA website. "I'm just getting back into it really but things have gone pretty well so far."
FPA is run by MotorSport Vision and pits drivers against each other in identical 300bhp single-seater cars.
The championship features 20 races at seven of the UK’s premier circuits, including Brands Hatch and Silverstone. An illustrious hall of fame includes three times World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, ex-Formula One drivers Giorgio Pantano and Justin Wilson and DTM star Gary Paffett.
Any sponsors or partners backing Steele this season are guaranteed an excellent package of benefits, with guest passes available for exclusive race day hospitality as well as extensive media exposure, with television coverage expected on Motors TV.
The FPA season gets under way on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on May 8-9 and finishes at Silverstone in mid-October.
Notes to editors:
Aaron Steele raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup and the British Formula 3 Championship in 2009. He was also a development driver for the innovative ‘green’ WorldFirst Racing F3 project. In 2008, he represented Great Britain as a rookie driver with Team GBR in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and won the FPA Shootout.
FPA cars have 300bhp from a 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine, which incorporates an overboost feature that increases power to 360bhp for an eight second boost. This extra power can help drivers complete an overtaking manoeuvre or defend a challenge.
The 2010 calendar includes races at Brands Hatch (Indy) on May 8-9; Snetterton on June 26-27; Oulton Park on July 24; Donington Park on August 14-15; Rockingham on August 28; Brands Hatch (GP) on September 25-26; and Silverstone on October 16-17.
For further details about Aaron’s career, visit http://www.aaronsteeleracing.com. For further information about FPA, visit http://www.formulapalmeraudi.com.
Press/sponsorship enquiries:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
McLaren Autosport Award finalist Aaron Steele will make his Formula 3 debut at Snetterton next weekend (Sunday, July 5), driving for Litespeed F3.
Following a shakedown test at the Norfolk circuit on Tuesday (June 23), 20-year-old Steele, who lives in Rochester, will race in rounds nine and ten of the Cooper Tires British F3 Championship. The challenging series boasts a roll of honour that includes Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Ayrton Senna and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Steele's F3 shakedown was disrupted by problems with his seat position and the car's cooling system, which limited him to a total of 29 laps. He now plans to complete another test before his race debut at Snetterton and will travel to Litespeed F3's headquarters for a second seat fitting.
Steele said: “The team worked through the night to make sure the car was ready for the test and there are so many positives going forward. From the little running I had, I felt confident with the car. It was enjoyable to drive, although I need more time to establish exactly what it can achieve. Racing for Litespeed F3 is a mega opportunity and it's important that I have good races and achieve good results. I'm confident that we'll shortly be right up there.”
Nino Judge, Litespeed F3 team principal, commented: “Aaron Steele is an extremely talented young driver who has the potential to go all the way to Formula 1. This is not just because of his proven technical understanding and racing ability; he also has the right temperament – he's ambitious but not egotistical, which makes him a marketable driver. He brings his legitimate aspirations to Litespeed F3 and in return we will give him the opportunities and support that such a naturally gifted driver deserves. We're always interested in supporting talented British drivers.”
Steele will line-up alongside Brazilian driver Victor Corrêa in the National Class. Following Snetteton, Steele also plans to compete in his home race – the season finale at Brands Hatch, Kent, in September.
Ends
Notes to editors:
Litespeed F3 has more than 25 years of racing and technical experience at all levels of motor sport.
The Cooper Tires British F3 Championship is the leading single-seat category for drivers hoping to progress their career towards Formula 1. All cars feature similar technical specifications and engines produce a similar amount of power, allowing drivers to demonstrate their racing skills. Tyres are supplied by Cooper Tires (a subsidiary of Avon Tyres), preventing any one team from gaining a grip advantage. Highlights of the 20-round series are shown in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 and on Motors TV (Sky channel 413 or Virgin Media channel 545).
Aaron Steele will race Litespeed F3's impressive R1 car, capable of speeds of more than 160mph and acceleration from 0-60mph in just three seconds. His team-mate will be Victor Corrêa, who currently lies third in the Cooper Tires British F3 Championship National Class.
Press contacts:
Kevin Steele
Mobile: 07958 746843
Email: kevin@aaronsteeleracing.com
For Litespeed F3 enquiries:
Sara Mastriforte
Mobile: 07912 201242
Email: sara@litespeedf3.com