Eastleigh-based Formula 3 racing driver Shane Kelly and his SK Racing team got his season off to a flying start at Silverstone at the weekend in the inaugural race of the new club F3 Championship.

The former award-winning graduate from the Silverstone Racing School, who has already achieved national success in F3 events, made a great start to this campaign.

Kelly, pictured, qualified in second place on the grid earlier in the day, after losing out on pole position by only half a second.

He said: "I was right on the limit down the back straight. We looked at the data and we knew there was more speed we could get from the car. I'm just glad to be on the front row going into the race."

Kelly's grid position paid off during the race, giving him a good base to push on from.

As the lights went green he made a fine start, staying hot on the tail of the leader.

As the race progressed he tucked in just behind, pressuring all the way before making his move in lap five of the 25-minute race.

He took control by 'slipstreaming' the leader at 140 mph on the inside of Copse Corner.

Once the 97 Opel Dallara was in the lead, Kelly came under a great deal of pressure to maintain it.

Keith Baldwin (in the number one car) came closest to the lead and they pushed both cars to their limits.

But, as the pair entered the Brooklands part of the course, Baldwin braked heavily, almost driving both cars into the gravel pit.

Kelly continued regardless and protected his position throughout the final six laps, taking the chequered flag with a 24-second lead.

He said: "I'm just glad I had a good lead. There was oil on the track in the final stages of the race so I just backed off.

"The last thing I wanted was to go off on that. As a team we have worked hard for this win and it couldn't have come at a better time.

"The car felt good, my engineer and mechanics did a great job. I am now looking forward to the next round at Rockingham Raceway on May 6."