FORMULA FORD TITLE TO BE FOUGHT OUT AT PUKEKOHE THIS WEEKEND
After yet another action packed and closely fought season of Formula Ford racing, the final round will be contested this coming weekend at Pukekohe Park Raceway and as usual, the Championship is still far from settled. In looking at the points standings the advantage must be to Tauranga’s Richie Stanaway who has a 97 point lead over Auckland’s Mitch Evans but with a maximum of 225 points still available. As usual, at the end of any racing season, the final round becomes more of a mathematical equation as to whom the championship will fall.
In fairness to Evans, his task will be quite daunting as the Series leader could claim the crown through consistent placings in the three races yet to be run. In fact, he could win the Championship with three 6th placings but motor racing simply doesn’t work like that. Racing drivers are bred to win and Stanaway has been no exception as shown by his six straight wins over Rounds 3 and 4 earlier in the Series.
The leading duo will also have to fend off challenges from drivers in the next battle group who also have a mathematical chance of taking out the title and certainly have a chance of finishing runner up. Watch out for the likes of Stefan Webling (Oakura), Jamie McNee (Wellington), Matthew Penrose (Rangiora), Damon Leitch (Invercargill), Martin Short (Hamilton) and Simon Evans (Auckland) who have all featured at the top end of the field during the season. Some will return to the Series next season while others will move up to more advanced formulae so the pressure to impress will be considerable.
Matthew Penrose is actually worthy of a special mention as he has been absolutely impressive in his 1992 Reynard including the outright round victory in Round 6 at Manfeild two weeks ago. Having hounded the regular Championship pace setters, expect to see another huge effort from the South Islander who is within striking distance of an overall top three Championship position.
The most striking element in the 2009 MTA sponsored Championship has been the advent of drivers in their mid-teens which sees New Zealand motor racing progressing in line with international trends with huge emphasis placed on future racing stars. Mitch Evans at 14 years old, Jamie McNee at 15 years and Damon Leitch at 16 years are names which are bound to become established in future years and we have seen them first in the world’s most enduring class of junior racing – the fantastic Formula Fords.
Qualifying for the final round will take place on Saturday morning with Race 1 of 10 laps being held in the afternoon. Sunday morning will see another 10 lap Race 2 with the 15 lap feature Race 3 scheduled to start early in the afternoon.
Richie Stanaway at Ruapuna earlier in the season
Championship Points after Round 6:
Richie Stanaway (Tauranga) 1073; Mitchell Evans (Auckland) 976; Stefan Webling (Oakura) 939; Jamie McNee (Wellington) 863; Matthew Penrose (Rangiora) 825; Damon Leitch (Invercargill) 820; Simon Evans (Auckland) 804; Martin Short (Hamilton) 768; Brett Sullivan (Nelson) 561; Chris Cox (Rangiora) 552; Matt Williams (Christchurch) 312; Nick Donaldson (Christchurch) 291; Stephen Heffernen (Invercargill) 229; Clara Bond (Christchurch) 214; Kerry Ross (Tauranga) 185; Kim Crocker (Tauranga) 154; Ken Smith (Auckland) 111; Daniel Jilesen (Taumarunui) 96; Henry Thomas-Kircher (Taumarunui) 65.
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For Further Media Information Contact:
Kevin Lancaster
Ph. 09 627 8219 (Home)
Ph. 021 627 824 (mobile)
Email: kevlancs@xtra.co.nz
