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Carlin F3 driver Gustavo Menezes considering 2016 rallycross switch

Formula 3 European Championship driver Gustavo Menezes is evaluating a move to rallycross for 2016

The American tested an OlsbergsMSE RX Lites machine in Italy recently, after the final round of the F3 championship at Hockenheim

Menezes finished 14th in the F3 standings with Carlin, and would target the World Rallycross Championship-supporting RX Lites category next year.

"I got the opportunity to go and test a rallycross car, and when someone sends you out with that opportunity you don't say no," he told Autosport.

"It was a lot of fun. It's very different to what I normally do, there are some things you have to adjust but getting a good base was quite easy for me.

"It's the details where you find the time so we were working on that at the test."

Menezes says the unsealed surfaces were exciting to drive on, in his first experience.

"The gravel is fun, I like the exits and it's a case of working out the best speed on the entry," he said.

"But it was my first day in the car and the last thing you want to do is shunt it on day one."

The 21-year-old says rallycross is increasingly on the radar of single-seat racers and expects to compete in at least one event in the discipline next season.

"We're looking at rallycross," he said.

"Everyone on the other side of four-wheel motorsport has noticed it.

"Everyone knows the marketability of the sport is great; the viewing figures are growing immensely.

"At the end of the day, motorsport needs money and funding and without TV and exposure you're not going to get that.

"It's very difficult to pursue a career in the open wheel side of things.

"I think one race at least is a high possibility, the next month will be crucial to my plans for next season and this is certainly something my sponsors are seriously looking at."

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