Damien Digby, Malta's very own Australian Formula 3 top five contender was in Malta recently on a whirlwind media and promotional

Damien Digby sitting in Ralph Schumacher’s BMW Williams proudly displaying his helmet with the www.maltasport.com logo

tour. Digby left Malta on Monday evening for talks with major British Formula 3 motor racing teams over his future plans.

During his stay Digby, 25, made a number of media appearances including appearances on NET-TV, Max Plus and a heavily attended press event at Badger Karting. Digby and his successful career to date were also extensively featured across a number of printed media.

During his stay, and throughout the preparatory work carried out, Digby was ably assisted by one of Malta's leading sports web site, www.maltasport.com.

Digby, speaking to The Malta Financial and Business Times explained, "The feedback I have received during my visit to Malta has been encouraging. While I plan to contend on the British Formula 3 circuit in the near future, the initial hurdle is the cost of doing so, with an estimated rice of GBP390,000 for the season. However, once one overviews the market figures, one quickly realises that the advertising potential is truly staggering.

"For example, during the British F3 season, 12 to 14 30-minute programs on the circuit will be aired - each of which reach some six million viewers across Europe through stations such as Eurosport, ITV and others.

"My trip to Malta had two main purposes, one was to gain support from the Maltese public for my endeavours, while the other is to raise sponsorships from the Maltese public and private sector in order to make my efforts a 100 per cent Maltese undertaking.

"Racing is a blend of half the result coming from the driver's ability, while the other half is derived purely from the budget available. Few people realise the importance the market process plays in performance. For example, an extra Lm40,000 spent on the vehicle earns the racer an extra second - which can on many occasions signify the difference between victory and defeat."

Apart from Digby's media commitments, the Maltese F3 driver also spent a good deal of time meeting with dignitaries and potential Maltese sponsors, who have been given the opportunity to join him in representing Malta at major international Formula 3 motor racing events in this and in next year's season.

Digby was also greeted by President Guido de Marco, officials from the Finance Ministry, the Gozo Ministry and Tourism Minister Michael Refalo amongst others.

Digby will return to Malta next month, during which he has scheduled extensive meetings with the private sector in order to identify sponsorship opportunities.