Avon celebrates 25 years of creating superstars in British Formula 3

A gaggle of Formula 1 stars, including Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button have all climbed through the ranks of the internationally renowned British Formula 3 Championship during the last 25 years – and all of them competed on Avon Tyres.

The 2007 season, which roared into life over Easter, signalled a landmark association between British tyre manufacturer, Avon Tyres, and the country’s premier junior motorsport category.

Still regarded by many as the toughest domestic F3 series in the world, the latest secret recipe of Avon rubber helped Swedish ace, Sebastien Hohenthal, shatter Oulton Park’s lap record at the weekend.

As part of a traditionally British celebration of the anniversary, Avon commissioned a commemorative cake, iced with the names of each champion since the partnership began in 1982, including Johnny Herbert, Rubens Barrichello and new Honda F1 test driver, Mike Conway.

Julian Baldwin, Managing Director of Avon’s parent company Cooper Tire Europe commented: “We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with F3 and we are delighted to celebrate that here today at Oulton Park. It is fitting in the first race of our 25th year that we have assisted in setting an impressive new lap record, nearly half a second quicker than Nelson Piquet Jr’s 2004 time.

“British Formula 3 continues to be a fantastic breeding ground for new talent and that hasn’t changed in recent years.”

The next round of the Lloyds TSB British F3 International Series takes place on Sunday 22nd April at Donington Park Race Circuit.