Lola-Dome F3 car officially launched.

The new Lola-Dome F106 Formula 3 car was officially launched in the UK today in front of over 200 guests during the BRDC British F3/GT Series Media Day at Silverstone Circuit.

Sweeney Racing's Lola-Dome chassis, which was on display alongside a Williams Formula One car outside the BRDC Clubhouse, attracted a substantial amount of media attention.

Sky Sports, Eurosport and Irish channel RTE all conducted TV interviews with drivers Adam Carroll and Michael Keohane, to be broadcast before the first race of the season, at Donington Park next weekend [5th/6th April[.

In order that the team's all-important development programme with the new car can be accelerated, Adam Carroll alone will fly the flag for Sweeney Racing and Lola-Dome over the weekend of 5th and 6th of April.

A joint decision by the team and Michael Keohane sees Keohane released from his contract for the first race, allowing team and Lola personnel to concentrate on the increasing competitiveness of the F106 chassis.

As John Sweeney, team owner, explained: "We have agreed to release Michael from his contract so that we can all move forward as rapidly as possible. From Michael's point of view, it is vital that he nets a good haul of points at the first race, particularly as this is his second season in the main Championship Class.

"We still have work to do with the Lola-Dome, which we have all acknowledged, and by taking this decision we can focus fully on Adam's car and exploiting every inch of the F106's potential at Donington. Both Lola and ourselves are confident that we will very quickly get the car to a stage where Michael will rejoin the team - and I hope that will be after Donington."

Keohane added: "I see this as a positive move for everyone concerned. It enables me to get points on the board from day one and allows the joint team resource to get fully behind one car and move forward more rapidly."

Rupert Manwaring, Managing Director of Lola Cars International, underlined his company's drive and commitment to the project: "Lola Cars, like Sweeney Racing, are looking forward to continuing the 100 per cent commitment of developing the all new Lola-Dome."

The first two rounds of the 2003 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship take place on the Donington Park National Circuit, Derbyshire, on Sunday 6th April. Supporting races include the BRDC British GT Championship, Mini Miglias, Mini Se7ens, TVR Tuscans, Caterham R400s and the Historic Sports Car Championship.