British F3 introduces 2013 five-round National Invitation trophy

The races at Pau, Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Spa and the Nurburgring will count towards the new 'mini-series', which is for National Class competitors.

AUTOSPORT magazine revealed recently that British F3 is throwing open the doors of the National Class to allow in older-spec cars such as those from the German F3 Cup, the defunct Italian F3 and the UK's MSV F3 Cup, as well as the chassis from the European F3 Open, which runs new and old cars but with spec Toyota engines.

The National Invitation trophy is intended to encourage competitors from the overseas series to commit to a few rounds in addition to their main programmes in their regular championships.

British F3 championship manager Benjamin Franassovici said: "Our aim with this series is to attract a number of European national competitors who might not have had the budget for a full season."

British F3 has also announced a new points-scoring system. The two main races of each weekend will now run to the Formula 1-style 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1, with the reversed-grid race scoring 12-9-8-6-5-4-3-2-1-0.5. There will no longer be a point for fastest lap.

There has also been a change to the provisional calendar. Donington Park has replaced Rockingham and will once again host the finale, on October 5/6, while Silverstone has moved forward one week to May 25/26.

2013 British F3 calendar:

30 Mar-1 Apr  Oulton Park
18-19 May     Pau*
25-26 May     Silverstone GP*
15-16 June    Snetterton 300
29-30 June    Paul Ricard*
25-27 July    Spa-Francorchamps*
10-11 Aug     Brands Hatch GP
21-22 Sept    Nurburgring*
5-6 Oct       Donington Park GP

* National Invitation Trophy rounds