Sandher hoping for top Performance at Donington.

Indian racer Suk Sandher has signed a deal with Performance Racing to contest the opening round of the 2005 British Formula Three International Championship this coming weekend at Donington Park.

So far the deal is only for the first round of the series, but Sandher has the goal of putting on a strong display to help gain the backing he needs to contend the remainder of the 20-race championship in the National class of the championship.

A race winner in the 2004 UK Formula Ford Championship, Sandher sees the Britsh Formula Three championship as the logical next step in his motorsport career. The highly competitive British series - rated as one of the best on the world - offers him the platform to show not only his race prowess but also his technical ability in the complex race cars.

"I've done a deal for Donington Park with Performance Racing," explained Suk. "It's something we have put together literally just this week for the opening meeting and it will mean I get some Formula Three race mileage in.

"We're not in bad shape, I've tested with Performance and we have been competitive, but as ever in this sport it's hard to predict how we will get on - there are three or four very quick guys in the National Class. I now have three hours of testing tomorrow [Thursday] at Donington before the two qualifying sessions on Saturday and the 20-lap races on Sunday.

"It's a case of having to get a good result at the opening meeting to help bring in the backing to get me to the next round at Spa in Belgium. I'm working flat out on putting something together that will keep me racing, Formula Three isn't cheap, but I did a deal with Performance for this weekend as they have been good to me so far - including letting me have a run in their car at the series media day simply with the instruction to be quickest in class.

"The team and I are ready for the weekend - in fact everyone is really gee'd up for it. Two podium finishes would be good, we know we have the speed, but we have to be realistic about our chances as I have yet to do a simulated race distance in the car. I want to score good points from the races, so it is a case of now taking the opportunity I have this weekend."