11/07/2008 - Tweedie Impresses in Formula 3 Test Session

NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship front runner Tom Tweedie completed a successful Formula 3 test session with the Sam Sofi owned Trans West Insurance Motorsport team recently at Eastern Creek Raceway.

With no previous Formula 3 experience, 19-year-old Tweedie adapted quickly to the Dallara F304 that runs in the National class of the Kumho Australian Formula 3 Championship, and his performances throughout the test sessions certainly left an impression.

“I was amazed by how quickly I adapted to driving a Formula 3 car and as a result I was able to post some respectable lap times on older tyres,” expressed Tweedie.

Above: Team manager Graham Watson (left) and Tom Tweedie in Dallara F304

“Everyone involved with the Trans West Insurance Motorsport team were very accommodating to me and a special thanks must go to team manager Graham Watson for organising the test session.”

Trans West Insurance Motorsport team manager, Graham Watson, strongly believes that after seeing how impressive Tweedie was in his first Formula 3 test sessions that he could quite easily be a front running contender.

“I have no doubt that Tom [Tweedie] would prove that he wouldn’t be there making up the numbers, and there is no doubt that he has the talent to be a front runner,” Watson commented.

“The main attribute that impressed with Tom was his maturity at such a young age, as I have seen many young blokes get into a Formula 3 car and go flat out like a bullet out of a gun. In Tom’s first session he kept it cool, got his head around getting used to driving the car, and for the remaining sessions he was posting very competitive and consistent lap times

After such an impressive maiden Formula 3 test session, Tweedie is now assessing his options for next year.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking towards running in the Kumho Australian Formula 3 Championship next year,” stated Tweedie.

“The Kumho Australian Formula 3 Championship is a rapidly growing category and if the right deal can be done then I’d love to be on the grid next year, for sure, and there is also a possibility that I might contest a few rounds of this year’s championship.”

For now Tweedie is focused on winning the NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship with Anglo Australian Motorsport, where he is currently sitting in second place and the fourth round is to be held at Oran Park Raceway on July 26 – 27.

FURTHER INFORMATION and results can be obtained from:-

• http://www.anglomotorsport.com.au
• http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?25/05/2008.ARDC
• http://www.formulaford1600.com.au/STATE/nsw%202008/2008nsw.htm
• http://www.ff1600.org.au