Meritus test Irish Formula Ford Champions.

Meritus Racing, Daventry have tested the top three drivers from this season's Irish Formula Ford Championship: winner, George McAlpine (41), Michael Devaney (16) and Charlie Donnelly (17) all tested the Scholarship Class winning F3 car at Silverstone National Circuit.

Meritus Racing have a strong Irish pedigree having finished third in this year's Scholarship Class British F3 Championship with Irish driver Michael Keohane.

Technical Director, Sean Thompson also hails from Ireland where Meritus Racing were founded in 1981. Their strong relationship with Irish motorsport and a desire to contribute to developing young talent was the basis for this year's decision to make the test available.

George McAlpine of Portrush, is a veteran to racing having won the Formula Ford Championship in previous years, but enjoys the competition and challenge as he continues to turn up on the podium to give the younger entrants a good test to ability.

Michael Devaney, son of Bernard Devaney from Rathfarnham and former team-mate to Eddie Jordan in F3 and F2, gave a strong performance lapping fastest. After 35 laps Devaney had shown the team his determination not only to take the lead position in the test, but also pushing the F3 car, finding its limits.

Charlie Donnelly of Dublin also lapped confidently, demonstrating natural ability in making the jump from Formula Ford to Formula 3. Donnelly is another to come from a famous racing pedigree, with his father Des Donnelly enjoying a highly successful career in both saloons and single seaters.

Team Manager, Roberto Costa, was impressed with the outcome of the test and the results of the three drivers: "All the drivers acquitted themselves well, showing a professional attitude to the challenge of driving a substantially quicker and technically more demanding car. Meritus Racing intends to be involved in similar test prizes in the future, as we recognise the importance of driver development and opportunities through our new Manor Meritus affiliation to encourage talented young drivers into higher formulas in Britain in the future".