Epping racing driver Dave Karaskas kicked off his challenge to win another ARP Formula 3 Championship in fine style on Bank Holiday Monday at Castle Combe in Wiltshire.

The experienced driver was second overall and first in his class after a near perfect drive.

The result was even more special as new regulations have allowed much more modern cars into the field.

Karaskas, whose car is run by FISA Racing, embarked on a development programme to keep his Ralt RT31 competitive.

And so it proved with quick lap times in preparation for the opening race on Monday.

In qualifying for the race, Karaskas knocked 0.95 seconds off his personal best, to achieve a lap time of 58.07 seconds with an average speed of 112.14 mph. This earned him second place on the grid alongside poleman Nin Singh Judge.

Karaskas beat Judge away from the line but an incident on the first corner damaged his front wing causing his car to understeer slightly.

He then had to battle behind the Dallara of Jeff Gressweil. At about one third distance Karaskas out-braked Gresswell at Quarry Corner to take the lead.

But Gresswell got past at Camp Corner to finish first, one second ahead of Karaskas. Round two is at the Pembrey Circuit in Wales on May 15.

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