The 19-year-old from Dunboyne will graduate to Formula 3 with the Irish/Filipino owned Aran Racing squad run by former Young Driver of the Year runner up John O'Hara in rounds six to nine of the Asian F3 series on January 12th and 13th.
Quinn will test his Dallara-TOMs-Toyota F304 for a single day before qualifying for the first of four races on the intensive weekend schedule. With little let up throughout the weekend and the emphasis of the series on maximising track time, Quinn believes that it will be ideal preparation for forthcoming challenges.
Following his F3 debut weekend, Quinn heads to Sydney, Australia after Batangas to meet up with the A1 Team Ireland squad for whom he will be rookie test driver in the next round of the A1 World Cup of Motorsport on 19th/20th January.
"It will be a hectic weekend, that's for sure, but the amount of track time in the Asian F3 series is unrivalled and it's the best way to get 2008 under way," says Niall.
"My training is going very well but there's nothing like seat time and I hope the challenge of learning a new car, track and circuit will help tune me up nicely for Sydney and my first acquaintance with the A1 team Ireland car.
"I'd like to think I can do a reasonable job in Batangas but it won't be easy because the current series leader was runner up in the German F3 Championship last year and he's setting a good standard.
"I've missed a couple of rounds of the series which means I can't challenge for the top prize of a full Formula One test with Force India but I'm looking forward to testing myself in faster, higher downforce machinery."
"I know John (O'Hara) well and I'm excited about making my Formula 3 debut with his team because I know what a professional job he does. I can't wait to get going!"
After fulfilling his duties for the A1 team Ireland team in Australia, Quinn has a short sojourn in Dublin before heading back to Asia for the next four races in the AF3 series over a single weekend at Chennai, India on February 9th/10th
|
