BRM signs Reindler for Oz F3, Kiwis for Wigram.

Australian Formula Three outfit Team BRM has confirm that 2003 rookie of the year Karl Reindler will be staying put for 2004 in an effort to win the championship prior to embarking on a career overseas.

The team has also revealed that it has signed two leading New Zealand racers to partner Reindler in the annual Lady Wigram Trophy race at Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch.

Reindler's first year in F3 saw him confirm that he is one of the most exciting young talents in Australian motorsport with podium finishes at Phillip Island and Winton, despite having previously only ever raced karts. He was also named as Western Australia's recipient of the 'Young Talent Award', with the prize being a trip to Canberra to train at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Reindler's programme will begin with the Lady Wigram Trophy race in New Zealand, where he will drive the car used by Darren Palmer to win this prestigious trophy in 2003.

BRM has sent three cars to New Zealand, with the Dallara 398 and a second Dallara 301 being earmarked for local New Zealand drivers that the team is talking to about a full campaign in 2004.

Young Kiwi Nic Jordan is the first 'local' to be confirmed for the Lady Wigram Trophy next weekend, and will drive the Opel-powered 398 which Craig Rundle qualified on the front row of the grid at the same race in 2003. Rundle will engineer the car this year for Jordan, so he will be able to impart both local knowledge, as well as his experience as a driver and engineer.

"Jordan's performances to date have been quite extraordinary in both karting and Formula First," BRM team owner Bronte Rundle said, "We are keen to see Nic step up to F3 as we believe he has a great future in open-wheel racing cars."

Jordan has worked hard to secure the funds necessary to race in the Lady Wigram by selling sponsorship tickets in himself for $100 each. The response to this has been exceptional, according to manager Grant MacDonald, the editor of Speed Sport magazine.

Rundle Sr also revealed that final negotiations are in place for Australian 2003 Gold Star champion Daniel Gaunt to drive at the Lady Wigram meeting. Gaunt showed his talent by winning the Australian Driver Championship in 2003, and the BRM chance should give his New Zealand fans and supporters a rare opportunity to see him compete against the best from Australia and New Zealand.

"With Karl Reindler and two New Zealand drivers, Team BRM is in a strong position to challenge for the Lady Wigram Trophy," technical director Ian Richards concluded.