Fluid Motorsport Developments enjoyed a successful two day test at Snetterton earlier this week, testing two drivers with a view to them joining Swedish racer Martin Kudzak in the team for 2006.
Kudzak himself got to grips with F3 quickly and completed 120 laps of the Norfolk track in his Neil Brown prepared Mugen-Honda engined Lola-Dome.
The 16 year old will become the youngest ever driver to start a British Formula Three race next April and he impressed the team after stepping up from the Scandinavian Formula Ford series. Kudzak also finished a fine 5th at the Formula Ford Festival in October.
Also testing at Snetterton were the British duo of Tom Gaymor and Matt Shawyer. Both drivers were also having their first run in an F3 Lola and they acquitted themselves superbly to the car and to the cold and blustery conditions.
For Gaymor it was a morale
boosting test after almost two years out of the cockpit with a debilitating back
condition. The former British Formula Ford race winner underwent serious back
surgery earlier this year but was delighted with the way that the test went,
saying: "I completed 27 laps and did not feel any after effects at all so I am delighted to have proved to myself that I can make a return to the cockpit next season. This is just an initial test and there will be more in the New Year, in preparation for a full programme."
Matt Shawyer also made a very favourable impression and set a time of 1m03.6s, a lap that would have been good enough for 4th place on last years national class grid. This was despite near freezing temperatures and just 50 laps in a car that he had no prior knowledge of.
Shawyer was very enthusiastic about the test and the team, stating: "The team are really on the ball and we gelled immediately. It was a fantastic opportunity to drive a Lola F3 car, I think I have now done the easy bit in proving my speed and ability in the car, the harder task will now be finding the financial resources to have a serious crack at the National F3 Title in 2006."
Lindsay Allen, team principal of Fluid Motorsport Development was satisfied with the last test of the year and said: "We were very impressed with all three drivers and what they each achieved over the two days. All of them got quicker with every lap and in fact could have gone significantly faster had there been more time."
Next seasons British Formula Three International series kicks off at Oulton Park on April 17. Shawyer is currently seeking the necessary budget to be on the grid next season in the Formula that has produces the likes of Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button.
This years national class champion Salvador Duran went on to represent his country - Mexico in the A1 Grand Prix series, scoring a podium position at Brands Hatch.
For further information on Lola's 2006 Formula Three programme please contact Sam Smith on +44 (0) 359590 or on ssmith@lolacars.com or click on to: www.lola-group.com.
