LEITCH SHOWS PLENTY OF FIGHT
Invercargill driver Damon Leitch showed the qualities that have earmarked him as one of the country's up and coming racers as he fought back to a pair of fifth placings at Round 4 of the MTA Formula Ford Championship at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend.
The recently turned 16-year-old started all three races from seventh place on the grid and after a non-finish in Saturday's opening race the Southlander showed his speed and determination in both of Sunday's races.
In Sunday morning's 10 lap race around the 2.4 kilometre circuit Damon made a good start in the Zero Fees Stealth but was held up in the early stages when the safety car was deployed after an incident. However once racing resumed Leitch climbed up to fifth place in an impressive display. On his way to that result he set the third fastest lap of the race.
In the 15 lap race later in the day Damon put Rangiora driver Matthew Penrose under pressure in the early stages before working his way around the outside at the end of the back straight. He then set his sights on current series frontrunner and last year's Rookie Of The Year Stefan Webling of Taranaki. After reeling in Webling and applying pressure to his more experienced rival Leitch made the pass to grab fifth place. Webling regained the spot soon after but Leitch was not to be denied and snatched back fifth place with another brave move at the end of the back straight to bring the Zero Fees Stealth home to another fifth placing.
Earlier in the weekend Damon had set the seventh fastest time in a very tight qualifying session on Saturday morning, just .625 of a second off the pole position mark. However his first race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon was shortlived. After making a good start he was involved in an incident with Hamilton driver Martin Short on the opening lap. The Zero Fees Stealth suffered damage and Leitch brought the car back to the pits and into retirement.
Leitch was very happy with Sunday's races. "The first race on Sunday morning was really good, although the car was not handling as well in the second race today," he said. The young driver attributed that to the diesel laid on the track by the trucks racing at the circuit as part of the programme.
Leitch now looks forward to his home round of the championship at Teretonga Park in Invercargill next weekend. "It will be good to race at home in front of my sponsors and a home crowd," he said.
Damon's campaign in the 2008/2009 MTA Formula Ford Championship is supported by Zero Fees, EH Ball ITM Building Supplies, Ray White Real Estate,Toll Tranz Link, BNT, Kingsford-Smith Motor Painting Ltd, Advantage Advertising, Caltex Invercargill Oil Shop, Turntru Machining, Discount Tyres, PPG, Trade Tools, Teng Tools, Collingwood Foodcentre, Macaulay Ford, Courtesy Ford South Auckland, Howard Anderson Upholstery, Laker House Of Travel, Print & Copy, Office Shop, the Bell Booth Group, C&G Rothbury, Steve Rhodes Feature Cars, McIntyre Dick & Partners and Leitch Motorsport.
Damon Leitch on the charge in the Zero Fees Stealth at Timaru International Motor Raceway during Round 4 of the 2008/2009 MTA Formula Ford Championship this weekend
Photo:
SportProMedia.com
Lindsay Beer
