MEDIA RELEASE- For Immediate Release, March 3

BACK TO BUSINESS FOR ALAJAJIAN

The first day of the motorsport season is often compared to the first day back at school for a year, the returning to classes and getting back into the swing of things. It’s an analogy that could easily be applied to the first day of Chris Alajajian’s 2006 motorsport campaign at Wakefield Park.

And, to continue the theme, the day was full of learning, in practice for round one of the 2006 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star.

Alajajian, 19, took steady approach during today's two practice sessions, having not driven a race car since the final round of the 2005 championship last December.

He still, though, ended the day with the second fastest time in the Jack Hillermans Smash Dallara F304 Renault-Sodemo.

“Today was really just about getting back behind the wheel,” said the Sydney-resident. ”We didn’t want to do anything silly, so I took it pretty easy.

“The car has been changed a little bit from when I last drove it as well, so today I had to adjust and get used to that.”

Another key part of the day was getting re-acquainted with the insight F3 crew, most of whom he has previously worked with.

“It was good to get down to work with the guys again, interacting with them, getting to know how they work,” said Alajajian, who finished 3rd in the 2005 championship.

“We spent a bit of time discussing things and we made some small changes to the car which should put us in a good position for the rest of the weekend.

“Since we haven’t tested at all this year, let alone at this circuit, today was really just a re-acclimatisation session, so to set a competitive time is pleasing.

“We have a good team and we know from today we have a good car, so with some more work and track-time tomorrow I think we will have a good setup for the races on Sunday.”

After qualifying tomorrow, Saturday, the F3 field will line-up for a pair of races on Sunday.

Chris Alajajian thanks the ongoing support of Jack Hillermans Smash, Subaru Australia, Elf Oil, insight F3, Scuderia Veloce Motors, Nudie, Workflow Systems, Bilstein, Moody Kiddell & Partners, Travel Café, Heasman Steering and Disc Brakes Australia.

For more about Chris Alajajian, check out www.TheChris.com.au

Wakefield Park Practice 1
1. Ben Clucas - 54.4530
2. Chris Alajajian - 55.3655
3. Michael Trimble - 55.5549

Wakefield Park Practice 2
1. Ben Clucas - 55.1328
2. Michael Trimble - 55.6919
3. Chris Alajajian - 55.9724

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Media Resources (copyright-free for media use, click for high-res) ::

Chris Alajajian on-track at Wakefield Park Raceway during practice for the opening round of the 2006 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star.

Chris Alajajian today set the second fastest time in practice for round one of the 2006 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star at Wakefield Park Raceway.

Additional copyright-free, high-resolution photos and an archive of previous Chris Alajajian releases can be found at www.tokencameo.com/resources/thechris/