The competition in FPA so far in 2009 has been intense, with five different winners from the opening six races and eight different visitors to the podium. This weekend, FPA will run alongside the British F3/GT Championships for two rounds that were originally scheduled for Donington in April - that event had to be cancelled as the circuit did not possess a valid track licence.

The opening three rounds of the championship supported A1GP at Brands Hatch in May, where American driver Josef Newgarden took a double victory and Lithuanian driver Kazim Vasiliauskas scored a maiden win. Vasiliauskas is combining his FPA campaign with racing in the FIA Formula Two Championship, where he has already scored an impressive podium in the opening round at Valencia in Spain and other points finishes in Brno and Spa-Francorchamps.

Three different winners then took the honours in rounds four, five and six at Silverstone last month as the race for the championship was blown wide open. Frenchman Tristan Vautier, Spaniard Jose Alonso and Briton Richard Plant all tasted victory, whilst Finnish racer Emma Kimilainen scored a double podium.

Vautier scored a dominant maiden victory in the opening contest at the British Grand Prix venue and followed it up with a further two podium finishes. Jose Alonso then took his turn on the top step, taking an impressive win after recovering well from a poor start to the race. Richard Plant secured a stunning win in the final Formula Palmer Audi race at Silverstone after a gripping battle with Vautier. The pair swapped positions before Plant finally made the move stick on the run down to Woodcote towards the end of the race.

Vautier now leads the championship standings from Vasiliauskas and Plant. Adam Foster is fourth in the standings, having stood on the podium three times so far this season. Kimilainen will also be one to watch - the female driver is proving to be a genuine frontrunner, as will Paul Rees who built on his 2008 rookie season by scoring his maiden top three finish at the first race meeting of the year.

Other talented international newcomers to the Formula Palmer Audi Championship in 2009 include Frenchmen Julien Gerbi and Maxime Jousse - younger brother of Formula Two driver and 2008 Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up Julien. Spaniard Alonso - winner at Silverstone - and Slovenian David Rotar have also impressed, whilst a contingent of British drivers including Ashley Babbra and Kenny Andrews will be looking for their first podium of the season.

With competition being so close it is hard to predict who will come out on top in rounds seven and eight of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship at Snetterton.

Click here for the event timetable.

The British F3 and GT Championships supported by Formula Palmer Audi at Snetterton on 4/5 July costs £20 for adults on raceday, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000.