Billericay's rising race star Matt Davies is in confident mood going into the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 in Holland this weekend.

The driver is currently sixth in the UK Formula 3 championship, but will be taking on the best in Europe at the annual race at Zandvoort.

Among his rivals at the Dutch Grand Prix circuit will be the French drivers he defeated to take the 1997 French Formula Ford and 1998 French Formula Renault titles.

"I expect to come out on top against the French championship people, even though one of their teams won last year," said Davies.

"Normally this is a fight between the British and the Germans and I expect that to be the case this year.

"It is going to be difficult, but I'm aiming to finish in the top four or five," added the 22-year-old, who has never driven at Zandvoort.

Davies knows that qualifying is important as he is up against drivers who are on their second and third visits to the Dutch circuit.

However, his Fortec Motorsport team took pole position at last year's Masters, so Davies knows that they will be able to get a good set-up for his Dallara-Mugen Honda F399.

"I'll certainly give it my best shot and a good result will give my season and career a massive boost," he added.

Davies took his second British Formula 3 podium place last month when he finished third at Snetterton. The result maintained his second position in the rookie ranks behind highly-rated Jenson Button.

Following his participation at the Masters - won in its inaugural year in 1991 by McLaren Formula 1 driver David Coulthard - Davies will be preparing for rounds 11 and 12 of the Formula 3 championship at Pembrey on August 14 and 15.

Fast rising star - Matt Davies is shown in action in his Formula 3 Fortec car

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