MOTOR-RACING: Marlow's Keiko Ihara can start warming up her tyres for the start of the British Formula 3 season.

The Japanese-born racing-driver has earned her place on the grid for a second season after securing a seat with Aldershot-based Carlin Motorsport.

Ihara, who has competed in Europe and Asia, was part of Carlin last season and did enough to convince the team to extend her contract.

She said: "I knew it wasn't going to be easy last year, but now I will be much better prepared for the challenges ahead.

"It will be the first time I have stayed in the same category and with the same team and I think it will make a big difference in my development.

"I am in the best possible seat to improve now and will work hard towards achieving good results."

Carlin director and co-owner said: "Testing resumes next week and after that we have a busy programme up until the start of the season in April. Testing should be a good time for Keiko to measure herself against her team-mates and we will hopefully see her in the top ten on a regular basis this season."

The British Formula 3 season gets into gear at Donington on April 3.

Other venues include Monza, Nurburgring and Silverstone.