Hylkema steps up to main class

Date published : 11 Jul 2011 - 08:43:12

Runaway British Formula 3 Rookie Cup leader Bart Hylkema will make a mid-season switch to the top class of the series at Paul Ricard this weekend. The Formula Renault Eurocup graduate will continue with his current team T-Sport, but will race a current generation Dallara-Volkswagen rather than the older-spec 2007 Dallara-Mugen Honda he has driven during the first half of the season. The Rookie Cup (formerly the National Class) has struggled for numbers in recent seasons with Hylkema and Hitech's Kotaro Sakurai the only registered competitors this year. "It would have been nice to go on and win the Rookie title but this step is much better for my development as a driver and much more important for my career as a whole," said the Dutchman, who leads the Cup points by 55 points at the halfway stage. "Since the start of the season I've learnt a lot and I feel this is the right time to take that knowledge and move things up a level. If you want to be the best you can, you have to race the best."