For the third round in succession, Joey Foster and Tim Macrow have shared the glory in a round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers' Championship for the CAMS Gold Star.

The pair fought out a stunning first race today at Winton Raceway as the series made its return to the Benalla circuit for the first time since 2004.

Never split by more than a second in a pressure-cooker race, the pair drew side-by-side mid way though the 14-lap duration before Macrow was able to sweep though to convert his race one pole to a win, his third of the year.

In the best race of the season, both drivers admitted to pushing their cars to the limit in an effort to pressure one another into a mistake at the notoriously difficult to pass, 3 km circuit.
In race two Foster lead from start to finish in a more mundane affair to return serve to Macrow and even the round's ledger at the series' half-way point.

The buffer from the Team BRM driver to Macrow now stands at 20 points as the series moves to Eastern Creek in July.

“It was very tough to pass here and after race one I knew the start in the second race would be absolutely critical,” Foster said following his race two triumph.

“Fortunately I got the start and just had to push hard to keep the margin to Tim and not make a mistake. It's very competitive at the moment and there was absolutely nothing between us all weekend. I'm looking forward to Eastern Creek because Team BRM has a great car there so hopefully it's a good weekend.

“It's nice to have a handy buffer in the championship but in one race it can all turn around so we need to keep the pressure on.”

Macrow's race one triumph was arguably the best of his Formula 3 career, withholding immense pressure from his points rival for the entire duration to score his tenth career win and 32nd career championship podium.