Young chargers and the Masters

Snetterton and Brands Hatch will soon be hosting F3/GT and Masters meetings – these are the cars and rising stars to look out for

On May 14/15 the British Formula 3 and British GT championships will make their way to Snetterton.

The event will be held on the new three-mile ‘300’ layout and features two one-hour enduros for the GTs and three sprint races for the F3 cars. Although it’s not the first race at the revamped circuit, it’s a great chance to experience the new infield loop. There are plenty of overtaking opportunities and the sight of Audi R8s, Ford GTs, Aston Martin DB9s and Ferrari 430s thundering into new corners like Montreal and Agostini should stick in the mind.

British F3 has been a vital step for many drivers, with Jaime Alguersuari, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne all starring in F3 before either racing or testing in F1. The current grid includes Australian Scott Pye — who trounced his rivals in British Formula Ford last year with 12 wins and 17 pole positions — Kevin Magnussen, the son of ex-F1 driver Jan, and Briton Jack Harvey. Tickets for the weekend start at £17 and can be bought via the website at www.snetterton. co.uk or by calling 0843 453 9000.

On May 28-30 the Masters series will visit Brands Hatch for the unmissable Masters Historic Festival, including races for 3-litre F1 cars built between 1968-78, Group C/IMSA/GTP cars, Group 4 prototypes from the mid-60s up to 1974, pre-66 sports racers, and pre-66 GT and pre-63 sports cars. The Masters series boasts one of the best collections of historic races in the world and always produces great competition. The first day of racing will be held on the tight and twisty Indy circuit, while on Sunday and bank holiday Monday the action will be on the longer Grand Prix layout.

There’s also entertainment away from the racing with flying displays, stunt riders and a close-to-contemporary F1 car demo. Standard tickets start at £12 and can be bought at www. brandshatch.co.uk or by calling 0843 453 9000.