Look at Danny Watts in the Walter Hayes Trophy. He comes from the back of the grid and nails nearly everyone. You can just jump in anything and be competitive. The car that I've driven today with the new National class engine in it for next year is a proper Formula 3 car.
Crash
So from your perspective, Formula 3 is still the ideal training ground for young drivers?
SJ
Oh yeah, it’s second to none. When you’re competing at a test day and you turn up in the morning and see all the big trucks there and all the Carlin boys there and all the Fortec boys and the Menu boys its such a professional atmosphere. There’s no cockiness around it, no bullshit. It’s just all so professional and cleanly run, and it’s a much better championship than any other I’ve raced in.
Crash
You’ve had sponsorship on the car all year. Do you think the National class this year was a good platform for your sponsors?
SJ
It’s difficult to explain to some people that you might not be racing at the front of the field overall and that it is really two separate categories but you’ve got the chance to make people look stupid by getting past the A class cars and they think its great.
All the people who’ve backed me have understood fully that this year for me has been a learning year. It didn’t really matter what happened (on the track) but it was that I learnt and progressed in a Formula 3 car so I could go into the year coming strongly, knowing what I had to do.
Crash
Performance Racing have just bought a 2002 Dallara, how does it compare with the 2001 car you drove this year?
SJ
The current A class car, the National class car for next year is a different animal. The driving position is quite different and it’s got a six speed sequential gearbox instead of a five-speed H pattern box that I had last year. That takes a little bit of getting used to but it’s not too difficult. It has slightly different handling characteristics that take a little while getting used to, but it’s definitely a step forward.
Crash
You haven’t got a background in Karting and you jumped straight into Formula Ford. Has Formula 3 been the biggest step up for you so far?
SJ
Yes definitely. I mean I’ve only really driven different kinds of Formula Fords over my career. The Formula Three car is so technical, from braking techniques to everything really. It was just a big step.
Crash
Where do you think you stand in terms of experience against some of the other drivers in the main Championship?
