Series debuts new logo to celebrate 60 years

New branding for an exciting new season of British Formula 3

British Formula 3 racing celebrates its 60th birthday this year and, to mark the anniversary, the world's foremost Formula 3 championship - the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series - is planning a season of spectacular celebratory action.

The excitement got underway today (Thursday) at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham's NEC, where British Formula 3's new branding was unveiled by Lisa Crampton, general manager of series promoter SRO. The stylish new logo adorned a new Dallara chassis like those which will be campaigned in 2011 by all the teams.

"This is a landmark season for British Formula 3," said Crampton, "and there is no better way to launch it than to unveil our impactful new branding on one of the machines which will be at the sharp end of the action. Everyone is very excited by the prospect of a great season ahead. roll on April and the commencement of battle.

"This is only the start of what is a complete overhaul of the marketing and promotional strategy for the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. April will see the launch of the new website, and soon we will roll out full rebranding on uniforms, merchandise and a strong interactive driver and sponsor based PR campaign for the season."

A quality field of young driving talent from the UK and overseas is assembling to take part in what looks set to be the most keenly fought British Formula 3 title in many seasons. Two young British drivers, each with a year's experience under his belt, head the list of declared runners: Ulster-born Will Buller, 18, will race a Mercedes-powered Dallara for the Fortec Motorsport team, while Suffolk 20-year-old Rupert Svendsen-Cook will be part of Carlin's multi-car squad.

Carlin - bidding to add a fourth consecutive British F3 crown to its impressive list of achievements - will field Volkswagen-powered machines also for Racing Steps Foundation-backed rookie Jack Harvey, 17 and from Lincoln; Dane Kevin Magnussen - son of 1994 British Formula 3 Champion Jan; and for South American aces Carlos Huertas and Felipe Nasr.

Among the latest drivers to announce their participation are 17-year-old Brazilian Pipo Derani, who yesterday confirmed that he will be on Double R Racing's roster for the coming season, and Devon driver Harry Tincknell, 19, who will make his Formula 3 debut with the Fortec team this year after a race-winning season in Formula Renault UK.

T-Sport will meanwhile field cars for Brazil's Yann Cunha and for Anglo-Bahraini Menasheh Idafar, who steps up to the International class after last season winning the National British Formula 3 crown with T-Sport.

It was confirmed this week that Buller, Harvey and Tincknell have been selected as members of the MSA's Team UK young driver development programme.

Further driver announcements are expected from the teams contesting the championship between now and the mid-February resumption of testing; the championship's opening rounds are scheduled for the Italian Grand Prix circuit of Monza in the middle of April.

As well as the kudos of winning one of the most coveted prizes in junior world motorsport, the 2011 British Formula 3 Champion will, along with the runner-up and third-place finisher, be rewarded with a valuable test session at the wheel of a Renault World Series 3.5 racer.

Visitors to the Autosport show, which runs until Sunday (16 Jan), can take advantage of a fantastic offer on tickets for the British Formula 3 and British GT meeting at Rockingham in September. They can pick up a special voucher - in the form of an attractive fridge magnet - which will get them 2-for-1 on Rockingham passes; they are available from the BARC stand, as well as from the Lotus Cars and Sunoco/Anglo American Oil Company stands.

The provisional calendar for the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series features triple-race events at six leading UK circuits as well as Grand Prix-standard tracks in Italy, France, Germany and Belgium. The championship's UK dates, which will be shared with the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, will enjoy the benefit of a full supporting programme from the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, Volkswagen Racing Cup, as well as the Ginetta Challenge and Caterham 300 racing.

British Formula 3 enjoys the headlining support of Cooper Tires and is additionally supported by Sunoco Racing Fuels, Anglo American Oil Company and OAMPS.

-source: bf3