Single engine for new National class.

FOTA, the Formula Three Association, and SRO, the Stephane Ratel Organisation, have confirmed plans for a revamped and re-energised second class for the British Formula 3 Championship.

A number of new measures will be introduced for 2005 onwards, including a name change, cost-cutting methods and a significant prize to the class winner.

As part of the desire from Formula 3 teams, a single-specification engine will be introduced, provided and engineered by Neil Brown Engineering. In addition, testing will be limited to just 30 days.

The engine will be designed for long-life and reliability and, if found to be less powerful than the Championship Class engine, the car's minimum weight will be reduced from 550 kgs to 540 kgs to compensate for this.

Tyres will be limited, too, with 55 sets of Avon slick tyres being permitted for the season.

In addition, the class will revert to its former name of the National Class for 2005, and the winner of the National Class will receive a free engine lease of a Mugen Honda F3 Championship Class XH6 engine for 2006 from Neil Brown Engineering. This is subject to a grid of eight cars competing in the National Class.

"This is excellent news," said FOTA's Jeremy Lord. "The motivation of the teams to make the National Class succeed has never been stronger and these initiatives are a great example of SRO and the F3 paddock working together. We are extremely pleased by Neil Brown Engineering's offer of the free engine lease for 2006, as this not only gives a driver a further incentive to continue in Formula 3, but it will also help to reduce his budget by ?17,000. British F3 is set for a very strong future and with these cost-limiting measures, we are confident that Formula Renault and Formula Ford teams, as well as prospective drivers, will see what excellent value for money F3 is."

SRO's Motorsport Director UK, John Ward gives the thumbs up to the chnages. "SRO is delighted that FOTA has not only taken this initiative to safeguard the future of the class, but that we have been able to support such a number of positive ideas," he said. "The benefit of the class is highlighted by the success of Robbie Kerr, Gary Paffett and Adam Carroll in recent seasons and we are confident that it will continue to produce stars of the future."

The 30 test days are to be split as follows: 10 pre-season test days, 12 pre-race tests and eight full day tests.

The 55 sets of slicks will be accounted for as follows: one set for pre-season testing, one set for each pre-race test, two sets per race meeting, one set for general test days and one "joker" set of tyres. No limits will be imposed upon wet tyres for safety reasons.