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Tveter Wraps Up Rookie Season of Ultra-Competitive FIA F3;
Accepts Invitation to Compete in 62nd Macau Grand Prix

LONDON, Oct. 25 - Ryan Tveter's pace and technical skills during his rookie season in the ultra-competitive FIA F3 European Championship have earned him a coveted invitation to race at the 62nd annual Macau Grand Prix in China on Nov. 19-22, the FIA's highest-ranked single-seater event outside Formula 1.

While the young American's best finish as a rookie within the FIA F3 championship this year was ninth, he had numerous finishes in the top 11, just outside of the points. He also qualified in the top 10 multiple times, and in other qualifying sessions just missed out by a couple tenths or hundredths of seconds in the incredibly close and competitive field.

Tveter, of Oyster Bay, N.Y., also finished seventh in the intensely competitive Zandvoort Masters of Formula 3 invitational in September.

This year the FIA F3 championship saw an unusual number of accidents, and there were a high number of penalties imposed on drivers for causing dangerous conditions and accidents.  Tveter, who never had a penalty during the season, did fall victim to some of the mayhem, but he bounced back quickly after each setback. 

Remarkably he was back in the car and managed an 11th place finish at Spa just 10 days after an accident and injury at Monza.

"It was a fantastic year for growing and learning," Tveter said. "We didn't have an easy year at all with a combination of incidents, a bit of engine trouble in three races and various other issues, but the pace was always there in the races and the data showed that I was often on par or quicker in the corners than the guys leading the championship.

"Just the sheer volume of competitors, up to 37 cars, and the depth of the talent made this season especially challenging, but I feel very good about what I've learned and how that will help shape next season.

"I'm also really excited to be racing at Macau," he added. "Drivers are invited by the organizers based on merit. There are many more drivers than invitations because the field is limited to 28, and there is also a limit to how many come from the European championship."

The final round of the European championship last weekend at Hockenheim, Germany was tough for Tveter, who was impeded in both qualifying sessions and was forced off the circuit on the first lap in both the first and second races after making great starts. The third race was held on a drying track with half the field on dry-weather slick tires and half the field on wet tires. Unfortunately, slight contact between Tveter and Dorian Boccolacci on the first lap after another great start forced Tveter to retire with suspension damage. 

Post-season testing has already begun, and Tveter will be back in competition in the first free practice session Thursday, Nov. 19 for the Macau Grand Prix on Sunday, Nov. 22.

Fans can follow Tveter through his Web site at RyanTveter.com, Facebook, Twitter and You Tube. The team's Web site is at Carlin.co.uk, and the series' Web site is at FIAF3Europe.com. Video of all the races is available on You Tube.