Tristan Cliffe and Omicron Motorsport pick up F3 Cup titles

29/10/12 - F3 Cup driver Tristan Cliffe and his Omicron Motorsport team clinched the Cup Class and Teams Championship titles at the Snetterton 300 circuit on Sunday 28 October.

Mulbarton racer Cliffe, who was in contention for the overall championship, ended his season on a high by recording two class wins at his home circuit and was only beaten to the outright victory by Red Bull junior driver Antonio Felix Da Costa and Lotus F1 test driver Kevin Korjus. Although he missed out on the F3 Cup overall crown, his results were good enough to win the 2012 Cup Class for Formula 3 cars built from 2002-2007.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a strong debut season in the MSVR-run F3 Cup and his consistency helped him lead the overall standings heading into the second half of the 18 race campaign. Despite being disappointed to miss out on the overall title which went to Chris Dittmann, he was pleased to end the year as Cup Class champion.

Cliffe said: "Chris (Dittmann) is a worthy winner of the overall title but it was a fabulous weekend for me. We kept it on the track and recorded two class wins on home soil, so it doesn't get any better than that. I'm really pleased. I had high expectations going into the season and I'm proud to have been a part of the overall championship battle and be the 2012 Cup Class champion."

Double celebrations were ensured when Cliffe's team mate Tony Bishop recorded two solid points finishes from the final two races, securing Omicron Motorsport the 2012 F3 Cup Teams' Championship title. 

Omicron Motorsport, run by the Cliffe family, have proved to be the strongest of the five teams in this year's F3 Cup with consistent results throughout the year. The team, who have been successful in the St Cross Electronics Monoposto Championship, stepped up to the F3 Cup in 2012 eager for a new challenge and the move paid off by winning the coveted title. They were presented with their award for a season of hard work by Trevor Carlin, head of the renowned Carlin team, which compete in F1 feeder series GP2, GP3, British F3 and Formula Renault 3.5.

Cliffe added: "Winning the Teams' Championship means a lot to me. We have put our heart and soul into this team and to be able to say we were the best team overall this year is a big thing. I don't know if we can get the number one on our cars next year but we'll see."

Omicron Motorsport are expected to return to the grid with a two car team for the 2013 season where they will aim to defend their title.

Drivers and teams interested in joining the 2013 F3 Cup should contact championship co-ordinator Simon Davey on 07770 368648, email f3cup@msvracing.co.uk . For all the latest news and further announcements visit www.f3cup.co.uk. Follow F3 Cup on twitter at www.twitter.com/f3cup.