DAVID THORPE Rodolfo Gonzales has opened a 51 points lead in the national class of the British International Formula Three Championship after only eight of the scheduled 12 races.

DAVID THORPE

Rodolfo Gonzales has opened a 51 points lead in the national class of the British International Formula Three Championship after only eight of the scheduled 12 races.

The Venezuelan who has been based in Norfolk since his early teens, has been unstoppable this season for his T-Sport International team.

His latest double success was at Mondello Park in Ireland, despite having the disadvantage of never having raced there before.

“It has worked out really well so far,” said the man from Attleborough, who is looking forward to competing at his local circuit Snetterton next month.

“The team had been slightly under-achieving and I was under-achieving as a driver so we have both helped each other.

“But there's still a long way to go. Everything can change very quickly so we have to stay focused and keep our feet firmly on the ground.”

Gonzales may not be living in Norfolk very much longer as he is considering moving to Northamptonshire - where his team is based - next year.

By then he hopes to be competing for the overall F3 title, with every success in the national class increasing his chances of getting a championship class seat.

“Adam Carroll is among the former winners of this class and he is now doing well in GP2,” said Gonzales, who has had four overall top ten finishes this season - especially satisfying since the championship class F3 cars are quicker than the national class models by over a second per lap.