Hodgetts the hero for Motaworld.

Stefan Hodgetts made a highly promising debut for Motaworld Racing in Sunday's latest rounds of the British Formula Three Championship.

The 20 year old racer from Redditch had never taken part in the Championship class before, although he did achieve a third place in the Scholarship class on his only outing in an F3 car at Silverstone, and yet he took on the best young chargers in Britain and brought the car home in 15th place.

Hodgetts made a sensible start in Round 15 and from 16th position on the grid he settled into the car, stayed out of trouble and maintained his position to finish 16th. But later in the afternoon he tackled Round 16 with great spirit and despite qualifying 24th he charged through the field to finish a very impressive 15th. And he could have been even higher...

The former Formula Vauxhall winner said: "I took it steady in the first race as we didn't have a very good balance for the car. But we got it sorted out for the second race, I passed a lot of cars and got up as high as 12th - until the last lap when somebody hit me up the back and damaged the diffuser."

Team owner Alan Waite added: "Stefan was incredible in the second race. He must have passed six cars around the first corner. For a first effort it was quite brilliant and I think he has a lot of potential."

Hodgetts concluded: "I wanted to gain experience with the car and team before the British Grand Prix support race. I think we worked well together. I got faster every time I drove the car and now I'm really looking forward to Silverstone, which I like very much."