Experienced German Formula 3 competitors Ombra Racing will compete in the 2009 British Formula 3 International Series, it has been announced.

The team, which is based in Italy, is an occasional competitor in the British series when the calendar takes them to Monza, but it is the Italian and German series' that has mostly occupied them since graduating to F3 in 2003.

Nonetheless, after Matteo Chinosi scored a surprise weather-assisted pole position at their home round earlier this year, Ombra have taken the decision to make a full-time switch to the British Championship.

The move has been made possible by an agreement with specialist engine developers Neil Brown Engineering, with whom Ombra has worked with in the past. NBE will also provide the team their new base in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

Ombra, who finished second in the German F3 team standings this season and competed in the F3 Masters of Zolder and Macau, are expected to enter two Mugen-Honda powered Dallaras in 2009.

“British F3 is one of the most prestigious championships in Formula 3 for its history and value of drivers and for us will be a great challenge” a statement on the team's website said. “Neil Brown partnership has been fundamental to start this new adventure, now as usual we let the results speak.”