AUS: F3: Series newsletter

FORMER CHAMP BACK TO WITNESS SANDOWN TITLE FIGHT

VICTORIAN driver Tim Macrow is used to fighting for championship wins - but next weekend he will get to witness the crowning of a new Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champion closer than anyone except the title contenders themselves.

Macrow, the 2007 Gold Star champion, will make his return to the series at Sandown Raceway on October 23-24 whilst British driver Ben Barker, New Zealander Mitch Evans and Sydney's Tom Tweedie stage their three-way fight for the championship crown at the same time.

Macrow will drive a 2004-specification PHR Scuderia Dallara at the Sandown circuit - located just ten minutes from his South-Eastern suburbs home - for the first time twelve months after he narrowly lost the 2009 title at the same track.

Then, looking for his second title in three years, Macrow lost out to British ace Joey Foster by just eight points in one of the more dramatic season finale's seen in Australia's premier Open-wheel category.

However whilst the events of twelve months ago may still linger, the 27-year-old said he was still keen to compete in Australia's quickest racing cars and perhaps taste the champagne one more time.

"Last year is just that - its history," said Macrow, a man with one championship, 14 career F3 race wins and 40 podiums to his credit; a series record.

"I've been out of the seat for twelve months and I can't wait to jump back into a Formula 3 car. They are the best cars to drive in Australia and require the most commitment to extract a good lap time from.

"I'm probably a bit rusty - but I'm sure the first time I get to the rise on the back straight at 240km/hr and turn into the left-hander without lifting off the throttle, it'll all flood back pretty quickly!"

Macrow - a man with more experience than most with regards to final-round title battles - said he will be out to do 'his own thing' at Sandown to allow the title contenders to fight between themselves.

"Fighting for a championship in the final round is tough, and the last thing you need is someone not in the hunt getting in the way and racing you as well - so I hope to be way out in front of them all!" he grinned.

"Seriously, I don't want to be the deciding factor and get involved in their battle. I'm there to do my own thing and have a good weekend and not to get in the way of the guys fighting for a championship.

"Whoever wins is going to be a really deserving champion, because it's been a very close battle all year. I plan to be watching it unfold first hand - from my mirrors, hopefully!"

Macrow will drive a Dallara F304 - Renault at Sandown, an identical package to the one driven by title contender Tom Tweedie.

Ahead of the final round Tweedie, Ben Barker and Mitch Evans are separated by just 12 points with any of the three a deserving winner.

Whilst Tweedie - fighting for Australia - will be driving his Team Tom Supporters Club Dallara F304, Evans and Barker are driving for a team looking for their third consecutive championship, the Adelaide- based Team BRM.

It is the first time that an Australian, a New Zealander and a Briton have battled for the Gold Star title at the final round in the same year.

The final round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship - Presented by Kumho Tyres, will be held alongside the finale' of the Shannons Nationals at Sandown Raceway between October 23-24.

-source: formula3.com.au