AUSF3: R-Tek F3 to enter series in 2007

R-Tek F3 teams with Mat Sofi for 2007 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship challenge

A Brand New team will take on the established regulars in the 2007 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star.

Newly-formed R-Tek F3 will run a multi-car operation in next year's championship, beginning at the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport event in early February.

R-Tek will be lead by two-time Formula 3 championship winning engineer Ian Richards who, since parting ways with Team BRM at the end of the 2005 season, has been providing engineering support to both Matt Sofi and Tim Berryman in this year's championship.

Richards has acquired a state-of-the art workshop in Northern Adelaide as well as a multi-car transporter that will double as a mobile workshop facility for the team at race meetings.

The team has also confirmed its first driver, announcing today that Sydneysider Mat Sofi will driver for R-Tek F3 throughout the 2007 championship.

Sofi has purchased the ex-Asian Formula 3 / Christian Jones Racing Dallara F304 -- Mugen Honda entry and the car will be prepared and run out of the R-Tec operation for the entire season in a bid to win the championship.

The team has an extensive testing program in place with the 21-year-old driver in preparation for an attack on the 2007 championship title.

Team Owner Ian Richards said that he was excited to be providing a new service to Formula 3 competitors competing in the Australian championship.

"I had essentially retired from the sport, but after being around the championship this season I recognized that there was a need for a team to provide a service to private car owners to help them get the maximum out of their equipment," said Richards.

"R-Tek F3 will provide a full service to our drivers without having to go to the expense of owning our own cars. We have plans in place to grow the program and we are very excited about the potential for the future of the operation and the championship."

Sofi, who has completed a partial campaign this year's championship, will run his recently purchased ex-Christian Jones Motorsport F304 Mugen Honda car with R-Tek this year and said that he was excited about the potential for the year ahead.

"It's clearly a great opportunity and a great situation to be in," Sofi said.

"By having the ability to hand over the preparation and management of our car to R-Tek it gives us a much better chance at succeeding in the championship next season, because we won't have to have the additional worries of maintaining the car and running it ourselves at race meetings.

"We have an extensive testing schedule in place for the off season and the aim is to come out at the A1GP meeting next February and be in a winning position -- and then challenge for the championship throughout the remainder of the year."

R-Tek F3 will be making further announcements regarding its 2007 Driver lineup in due course.

-credit: www.formula3.com.au