CROFT SHOWDOWN FOR COCKER AND ASMER
Nigel Mansell Supporting Sons At Croft...
For the first time since 2005, Croft Circuit near Darlington hosts the prestigious British F3 and GT Championships when the penultimate rounds of both series head for the North Yorkshire track this forthcoming weekend.

In the third of their summer feature meetings and following on from the British Touring Cars in June and the British Superbikes last month, Croft will play host to the future stars of Formula One in the Lloyds TSB British F3 International Series as well as some of the most exotic sports cars in the world with the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

In the hard fought F3 series, Estonian Marko Asmer (Hitech Racing) can theoretically wrap up the the title at Croft as he goes for his tenth win of the season which has seen the teams visit Bucharest, Monza and Spa as well circuits in the UK. German Maro Engel lies second in his Carlin Motorsport Dallara followed by three Brits in the shape of Raikkonen Robertson Racing duo Stephen Jelley and Jonathan Kennard with Carlin's Sam Bird sandwiched between them.

Irishman Niall Breen has won this year also, as indeed has Finn Atte Mustonen who took victory last time out at Thruxton

and other international interlopers who could be up front include Brazilian Alberto Valerio, Swede Sebastian Hohenthal and Argentinian Esteban Guerrieri. Famous sons of famous fathers, all of whom are likely to be at Croft, include Greg and Leo Mansell along with ex F1 world champion dad Nigel and National class competitor Viktor Jensen who DJ dad David 'Kid' Jensen is also expected to be trackside.

In the GT class, all eyes will be on local hero Jonny Cocker from Guisborough to see if he can extend his lead in the bio-fuelled Barwell Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9 that he shares with Government Minister Lord Paul Drayson but they'll have their work cut out to fend off a quality field including the likes of team mates Tom Alexander/Michael Bentwood and Guy Harrington/Be de Zille Butler as well as the Ascari KZ1R of twins David and Godfrey Jones and the Ferrari 430GT3 of racing priest Hector Lester in the field which includes such other famous marques as Lamborghini, Dodge, Mosler, Lotus, Morgan, Marcos and Porsche.

The meeting also hosts rounds of the British Formula Ford Championship with Northants driver Callum MacLoed looking to wrap up the title and in the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship, ex rally driver David Henderson from Stanley and York drivers Richard Sykes and Laura Addison will be hoping for a good result at their local track, as will Bill Addison from Yarm who races in the Avon Tyres Caterham Superlight events.

Saturday’s action starts with practice at 09.30 followed by the first of two races at 16.15 with the opening one hour race for the British GT cars and Sunday’s ten race programme commences at 12.00 with the second race for the GT's. The two F3 races are scheduled for 12.50 and 16.05 respectively.

Championship positions and other information can be found at www.fota.co.uk

Adult admission costs a bargain £12 on Saturday and £15 on Sunday with accompanied children aged 15 years and under admitted FREE.

Further information is available from Claire Jones on 01325 721815.

Compiled and distributed on behalf of Croft Circuit by Cartersport Motorsport Media, PO Box 150, NORTHALLERTON DL6 3WZ