REIGNING Formula Palmer Audi champion Jonathan Kennard has confirmed his plans to race in the National Class of this year's British Formula 3 Championship, proving once more that FPA can be used as a springboard to the international race market.

Kennard, 19, from Tunbridge Wells, will drive for well-respected ex-British F3 champion team Alan Docking Racing. He tested with the squad at Silverstone last year.

The teenager made his mark in national motor racing by winning the 2003 Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy and then won four races on his way to the full FPA title last year.

Kennard said: "I feel I've settled into the Formula 3 car well - the tests we did at the end of the season seem to indicate that, anyway, although I'm well aware that the setting up of the car is a lot different to FPA.

"This year's National Class looks very competitive, with maybe 10 drivers vying for the title. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I think it's good for a driver to face stiff competition and it's something I certainly learnt from last season in FPA."

ADR, established in 1975, has won the British F3 title three times, most recently with another ex-FPA driver, Robbie Kerr, in 2002. Other drivers to have graduated via ADR include Mark Webber, Mika Salo and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Kennard's pre-season testing programme will begin on February 22 ahead of the British F3 opener on April 2-3.