Starting from the second row of the grid, he placed his Mugen Honda engined Clonakilty Black Pudding/irishmobiles.com car into second place just prior to the Redgate corner, the first corner of the Derbyshire circuit.

For several laps he harried race leader, his Carlin team mate, James Courtney and although the yellow flags were out for a few laps when a car went off the circuit, Keohane pressurised the Australian once racing began again.

Then, with just six laps remaining, Keohane’s tactics paid off and he out manoeuvred Courtney at the chicane entering the start finish line.

For the remainder of the race he kept his composure and went on to take the chequered flag for his first Formula 3 Championship Class victory.

Frenchman, Bruce Jouanny took second from Courtney, who set the fastest lap of the race on the second lap.

There was further good news for the Irish contingent, Adam Carroll was a runaway winner of the Scholarship class, he actually finished fourth in general classification. Elsewhere, Stephen Colbert also from Northern Ireland was third in the Scholarship where he was followed home by Dubliner, Gavin Smith.

Meanwhile, Matthew Gilmore, racing in the Championship class retired after 13 laps.

The fourth round race is scheduled for 3. 30pm.

British Formula 3, Round 3, Donington Park:

Championship Class:

1. M. Keohane (Carlin Motorsport) 21M. 54.517S.

2. B. Jouanny (Promatecme) 21M. 55.201S.

3. J. Courtney (Carlin Motorsport) 21M. 55.344S.

Scholarship Class:

1. A. Carroll (Sweeney racing) 21M. 58.565S.

2. C. Piccione (T-Sport) 22M. 11.748S.

3. S. Colbert (Team Park F3) 22M. 12.781S.

4. G. Smith (Meritus Racing) 22M. 26.733S.

Meanwhile, Dominic McNeill (Escort WRC) is the early leader of the Circuit of Wicklow, Kevin O’Kane (Subaru) is his nearest challenger.