British grid filling up fast.

Entries for this year's Green Flag British Formula Three series are looking bigger and better than ever and, with just six weeks to go before the first race, the championship is looking exceptionally strong.

With almost all of the leading seats now taken, the season is set to be wide open with a galaxy of potential winners. Manor Motorsport returns to defend its back-to-back titles with rookies Derek Hayes, Jeffrey Jones and Mark Taylor, with Stewart metamorphosing in Jaguar and landing junior talents James Courtney and Andre Lotterer.

Elsewhere, more recent signings include Guernseyman Andy Priaulx for Alan Docking Racing and Italian Gianmaria Bruni returning for a second season at Fortec Motorsport. The Italian, winner of the 1999 Formula Renault Eurocup will be partnered by American Alex Gurney in the Renault-engined Dallaras. Gurney will be new to the UK circuits but F1 legend Dan's son will be one to watch.

So, too, will Promatecme's drivers. Chris Weller's team will use Mugen-Honda engines this season and has signed Japanese ace Atsushi Katsumata - who graduates from the Scholarship Class - and Frenchman Bruce Jouanny, who steps up from Formula Palmer Audi and is a highly-rated youngster.

New team Duma Racing has confirmed Jamie Spence, who began his F3 career back in 1993, and is expected to sign Gary Paffett, the winner of last year's BRDC Scholarship Award. Paffett, who recently tested with the McLaren F1 team, was hotly tipped to land one of the two Jaguar/Stewart drives after winning last year's Scholarship Class crown, but ultimately missed out to Courtney and Lotterer.

RC Motorsport has signed up impressive Scotsman Ryan Dalziel to partner Nicolas Kiesa, as the Dane returns to lead the team recently announced as a junior partner to the Prost Grand Prix outfit.

Entries for the Scholarship Class of this year's championship are also reaching new levels, with a massive surge in interest this season. New teams, new drivers and new circuits will be features of the 2001 campaign, which is set to be extremely closely fought.

The class caters for cars built in 1997 or 1998 and is a lower-cost option to competing in the series, allowing teams with limited budgets to race older cars.

Already, though, the series looks set to be wide open with Dutchman Robert Doornbos heading the entry at Fred Goddard Racing, where he will be partnered by Shane Kelly. Fellow Brit Aaron Scott is on the verge of clinching a drive at Rowan Racing and Indian driver Parthiva Sureshwaren has signed for ME Motorsport.

The ebullient Roberto Costa has snapped up Michael Keohane and Peter Nilsson for his two seats at Meritus, whilst Kazuki Hoshino backs up Carlin Motorsport's armoury by representing the squad in the Scholarship Class, having graduated from Formula Ford.

New Swedish team Performance Racing will be represented by ex-motorbike racer Bobby Issazadhe and Briton Justin Sherwood, while former Formula Palmer Audi racer Robbie Kerr has signed for Parker F3 alongside a soon-to-be-announced second driver.

French driver Harold Primat has signed for Diamond Racing, as has Mark Mayall, whilst Craig Murray is trying to put together a deal with Aztec International. More details are due to be announced next week.

The Green Flag British F3 Championship kicks off at Silverstone on 1 April as part of PowerTour.