THE streets of Swanley are swinging to a samba sensation after a Brazilian motor racing champion set up home in the Kent town.

South America's current Formula 3 champion Alberto Valerio has chosen High Firs, Swanley, for his home as he prepares for the European Formula 3 season.

The 20-year-old, whose racing team Cessario F3 have also moved from their native country to a workshop near Brands Hatch racing circuit in West Kingsdown, is among the favourites for the Formula 3 title.

However, he did not have the best of starting rounds by failing to finish the first race and then taking seventh in the second.

Meanwhile Sevenoaks driver Mike Conway, who took third in the championship last year, enjoyed a solid start.

The Raikkonen Robertson Racing team driver took fifth in race one and a third-placed podium finish in race two.

Conway was unlucky not to take Christian Bakkerud for second place saying: "I had a bad start. The car was very good all the way through but I just couldn't get by Bakkerud.

"I put lots of pressure on him but he didn't make any mistakes."

The Formula 3 season moves to Donington Park on May 21 and comes to Brands Hatch on August 28 in time for races 15 and 16 of the 22 planned.