Brazilian Racing News: Mello Wins 3rd Round Sudam F-3
20 April 1998
Brazilian Driver wins 3rd round of Sudam F-3 Championship Jaime Mello, Brazilian F-3 driver, won the third round of the 1998 South American F-3 Championship held in Cascavel in the State of Parana. Mello started second, behind championship leader Nestor Gabriel Furlan. On the start Mello jumped in front of the Argentinian to take the lead and never lose it until the chequered flag. Third place was Brazilian Leonardo Nienkotter from Prop Car Racing Team, followed by one of the Sperafico Twins, Rodrigo. This was the first time that Furlan was beaten this year. "I was born here, I know this track better than all others, and the most important, I had time to test the car and to get used to the 1998 chassis," said race winner Jaime Mello. Mello was the man of this race. He started racing in 1985 in karts, but never had the money to race in a good team. For the first time Mello is being sponsored and has a good team supporting him, and this gives him the chance to show his skills. Championship Standings 1) Nestor Gabriel Furlan (ARG), 55 points 2)Tom Stefani (BRA), 31; 3) Rodrigo Sperafico (BRA), 30; 4) Leonardo Nienkotter (BRA), 26; 5)Jaime Melo Júnior (BRA), 22; 6) Ricardo Sperafico (BRA), 21; 7)Duda Pamplona (BRA), 18; 8) Daniel Belli (ARG), 16; 9) Martin Basso (ARG), 9; 10)Valdeno Brito (BRA), 6 points. Marc Zimmermann - The Auto Channel