THE British F3 Championships arrives at the Croft Circuit this weekend with a familiar name at the top of the pile.
Nelson Angelo Piquet, son of three-times F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, may not have won so far this season but his consistent finishing leaves him leading the series after three races.

The North Yorkshire track wasn’t that kind to him in his debut season in 2003; poor qualifying runs stymied the young Brazilian’s performance and he was never really a contender on a day when Australian Will Davison and South African and eventual champion Alan van der Merwe claimed victories.

However, Piquet took his maiden win at the next meeting at Knockhill and, since then, he’s become something of a regular on the podium.

He won’t have it all his own way this weekend. Irishman Adam Carroll, young Brit James Rossiter and Monegasque Clivio Piccione have already claimed victories of their own and will be hoping to add to their tally.

But rounds at both Donington and Silverstone were affected by heavy rain and, if it is dry, it could be argued Croft will be the first circuit this year to see a result which is more representative of where the drivers stand in terms of raw ability.

Meanwhile, the North Yorkshire circuit looks like it can anticipate another ding-dong battle between local hero James Thompson and French ace Yvan Muller when the British Touring Car Championship arrives on July 24.

The two VX Racing drivers are tied on points after six rounds of the new-look series, although it has to be said the new format appears to be giving other teams a chance to race wheel-to-wheel with the Vauxhalls.

Anthony Reid’s West Surrey Racing MG kept the champions honest at Brands Hatch but Robert Huff was a revelation in the ETCC-spec SEAT.

At the moment, the series lacks the punch of serious manufacturer interest but, if the yellow and silver cars can deliver that sort of performance consistently, then there is hope others will follow.