AUSF3: Team BRM Phllip Island race report

PHILLIP ISLAND FORM CONTINUES FOR TEAM BRM

PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA -- Sunday, August 21st, 2005 -- Team BRMs season 2005 Phillip Island form has continued at a cold and blustery Philip Island GP track in Victoria today.

Team drivers Michael Trimble, Neil McFadyen and Marc Williams all posted strong results after yet another super competitive day of competition in the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship, Trimble and Williams in particular posting strong results that see them consolidate strong placing's in their respective championship classes.

Heading into the round 47-points adrift of series leader Aaron Caratti and looking to regain his early season pace and consistency, Victorian Michael Trimble posted two strong second place finishes after a competitive day's racing. After topping the wet Friday practice sessions by massive margins, 20-year-old Trimble was praying for rain today, which unfortunately didn't eventuate.

"We just didn't quite have enough pace to beat Caratti," mused Trimble after a day of close competition at the front of the field. "I was really hoping that it was going to be wet because we were so fast on Friday, but in the end I guess two seconds aren't too bad considering the last couple of races we have had."

With season long rival Aaron Caratti now leading the championship by over 60 points, Trimble believes he now needs a miracle to take the Gold Star this season.

"We'll keep pushing," he said. "I really want to win at the A1 race in November, so we'll do some testing between now and then and make sure we are really competitive there and see what happens."

Team BRM's new second driver -- 2004 Gold Star Champ Neil McFadyen -- had a strong Formula 3 debut, a top three finish in the second race a strong result. McFadyen was competitive all weekend and proved that given time he will be a force in Formula 3 competition.

"Im very happy with the weekend and the way I've performed," he said. "To be on the podium in this field in my first ever Formula 3 drive is a great feeling and I've really enjoyed working with team BRM this season.

"I hope I can continue to drive with Team BRM for the rest of the season and get some more good results."

A starring performance at Phillip Island came from 16-year-old New Zealander Marc Williams, who stormed to two Trophy Class victories in undoubtedly the most mature drive of his young Formula 3 career. After being forced to sit out the last round of the championship due to a lack of funding, Williams' performances' -- he finished sixth and fifth outright in the two races respectively -- were all the more impressive.

"It's been a great weekend," enthused Williams. "I've been really happy with my driving all weekend and it's great to be back in one of these cars.

"We came here today hoping to score some points back in the Trophy Class championship which is what we have been able to do, so to finish in the top 6 overall and race with some of the championship class cars is absolutely fantastic. It's been a great weekend and I cant wait to come back and try and get the lead in Trophy Class." He said.

The next round of the Kumho Tyres Australian formula 3 championship will see the category as the major support series' for the A1 Grand Prix of Nations Australia at Eastern Creek in November.

-brm-