After enjoying one of his career-best rounds last month, Tommy Smith is hoping to continue his momentum in the GB3 Championship this weekend. 
  
It’s been a tough slog since moving overseas at the end of 2019 in a bid to pursue an open-wheel racing career, as the Victorian had experienced difficult spells in the F3 Asian Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship. 

Last year, Smith managed to secure a deal with Douglas Motorsport that would see him contest multiple GB3 rounds in between his Formula Regional European Championship commitments. 

That small stint saw Smith prove himself to Douglas Motorsport with a handful of promising results, which saw re-sign him for this year. 

In the opening round of the Championship at Oulton Park, the 19-year-old didn’t get the perfect start after qualifying in the back half of the field before being unable to make up too many positions in the opening two races. 

However, with the grids reversed in the final race, Smith showcased his ability to defend as he converted his front row start to a second place and secured his first podium since the 2016/17 Formula 1600 New Zealand season. 


“To get that podium was nice and it was a bit of a relief if I am honest because it's my first podium since I started cars,” Smith said. 

“It was exciting and a reward for all the hard work in the off season, so it was good for everyone in the team to finally get that podium.  

“To get the first one is a bit tricky, but now the monkey is finally off our back and the result shows I am in the right direction, hopefully I get a few more podiums in the rounds to come.   

“As I started second, it goes to show that I am more than capable of holding off people if I am starting in clear air and have track position - I just need to sort out qualifying.” 

Following on from the round, Smith now sits in 11th place on the standings and is just one point behind Branden Lee Oxley in ninth place. 
  
With the Championship heading to Silverstone this weekend for round two, Smith was looking forward to keeping up his form and improving up the order at a track familiar to him.   

“That weekend in Oulton Park was quite tricky as I hadn’t done a whole lot there and I was up against guys who had done a few years at the track. I think this weekend should be better as we’re at Silverstone,” Smith explained. 

"I have managed to clock up a few laps at Silverstone before through the Formula Regional Championship so I should be better prepared this week. 

"Usually I am racing at tracks I haven’t done a whole lot of, so my weekends are mainly about managing the track and damage limitation. 

“Silverstone on the other hand is similar to those other Grand Prix circuits I have a bit of experience at, not like Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, which are quite different in their own way. 

“With this said, I think this weekend should be a lot better and I am really hoping to get another podium or at least a top five result. It’s just about clocking points and finishing every race because you never know what could happen.   

“Realistically, I am just excited to get back and continue the momentum and hope for the best.” 

Smith, along with fellow Australian Marcos Flack, will continue the 2022 GB3 Championship season this weekend at Silverstone Circuit.