Philip Major back in the points at Thruxton

THRUXTON, UK - Majorspeed.com's Philip Major has once again scored points in the ultra-competitive British F3 International Series. This past weekend's event, at Thruxton saw a condensed schedule, but that didn't faze the 19-year-old driver from Ottawa, Ontario. Major powered his way forward from his 14th starting position to finish 10th in the second race of the weekend.

"It was tough here this weekend," Major said. "The shortened schedule that saw us go straight into qualifying without a practice session put a lot of pressure on me. Kelvin [Burt], my driver coach, really helped get me up to speed here and we saw the effect of his help in qualifying."

Major qualified 20th for the first round of the weekend, then moved up to a solid 14th for the second round. "During the first qualifying session, we only had 12 laps, so I was still learning the track - it was my first time here in an F3 car - but in the second qualifying session - now 12 laps wiser - I was really able to go for it and put in a good time."

In the first of the two races, Major was once again learning the Thruxton track, albeit this time in a race situation. "This place is very, very, fast," Major said. "It's all about drafting, and I was able to move up. Once I got to the head of the pack I was in, there was a big gap in front of me and no real way to catch the next group. What I learned in the first race, gave me a boost of confidence heading into the second race."

Major finished 13th in class, in the first race of the weekend, and for the second race he would start 14th, and he clearly had his sights set on a points paying finish. "I learned a lot in the first race that I was sure would help me in the second race of the weekend," Major added.

In the second race, Major was able to put his experience from race one to good use, as he started to move forward, using the draft to his advantage. Methodically, he picked off drivers one at a time until a late race full course caution bunched up the field. On the restart, Major was able to hold his position, coming home with a solid points paying 10th place finish.

"This was a really good weekend for us," Major said. "Qualifying is very important at every British F3 International series event, and I know that if I can qualify well, I can get points paying finishes."

Major will now have a few weeks off before heading to Brands Hatch on July 13, 2008.

Philip Major Fast Facts; Philip Major is a 19-year-old racer from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 2008 will be Major's first season of British Formula 3 with Fortec. In 2007, Major scored his first podium finish in the Formula BMW USA series with a third in Montreal. He also scored his first pole of the year at Road America. In 2006, Major's first season in single seater racing, he scored three top ten finishes in the Formula BMW USA Championship. In 2005, Major was the youngest (16 years old) driver in the Honda/Michelin Challenge Series, where he was the Vice Champion in the Rookie Standings, and that was also the year he scored his first sedan victory. In 2003-04 Major raced karts in Ottawa, Canada, and competed in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship.

Away from the track, Major enjoys Skiing, Tennis (Tennis Canada Certified Level 1 Instructor), X-Country Running and is an accomplished concert band musician. Major is a graduate of Ashbury College where he achieved the distinguished academic standing of "Ontario Scholar".