MTA NEW ZEALAND FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP

WEBLING WINS EXCITING FORMULA FORDS AT PUKEKOHE

Stefan Webling (Oakura) has won an exciting Round 2 of the MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway over the weekend. His two race victories and a 2nd placing gave him overall Round 2 honours together with the sought after Ron Frost Memorial Trophy for winning Sunday afternoon’s feature race. Richie Stanaway (Tauranga) took out the runner up position following a win, 2nd and 10th placings while sensational teenager, 15 year old Damon Leitch (Invercargill), completed the podium with two 3rd placings and a 4th.

Saturday morning’s qualifying run was as close as predicted with the 14 year old Mitchell Evans setting the pole position time just 0.107 secs ahead of Stefan Webling. The invasion of youngsters was further advanced by Damon Leitch signaling his arrival at the sharp end of the field with the third fastest time 0.065 secs further back ahead of Richie Stanaway (+0.094 secs) and 16 year old Jamie McNee (+0.164 secs). Martin Short, Daniel Jilesen, Chris Cox, Simon Evans and Matthew Penrose rounded out the top ten although Simon Evans was drastically hampered after losing fourth gear on his first flying lap. Jilesen was actually only making a one-off return to the Series in preparation for his debut in the upcoming 2009 Toyota Racing Series.

The opening ten lap race of the weekend was a Formula Ford classic as Mitchell Evans, Webling and Stanaway opened an early gap to engage in a race long duel. Webling made the better start but was soon overhauled by Evans who led until a desperate outside overtaking maneuvre saw Stanaway hit the front. The enthralling battle continued until the final lap when contact saw Evans spun off at the Hairpin while Webling, although not involved, took advantage to win just 0.070 secs from Stanaway. Leitch took 3rd place after another battle involving Daniel Jilesen, Martin Short and Simon Evans who all finished in that order. Mitchell Evans recovered to take 7th ahead of Jamie McNee, Matthew Penrose, Chris Cox, Kerry Ross and Brett Sullivan.

Sunday morning’s 10 lap Race 2 saw Webling execute another blinding start but again the younger Evans regathered the lead on the opening lap. Stanaway’s early attempts to overtake around the outside came to nothing so he settled into 4th place behind the consistent Leitch until his fortunes changed drastically. With Webling having forced his way to the front, Evans attempted an outside maneuver but contact resulting in his spinning off and out of the race with damaged suspension. The restart, after the safety car period, saw two final frantic laps which allowed Stanaway to ambush both Webling and Leitch to gather the lead he was to hold to the chequered flag. Webling wisely settled for 2nd only 0.035 secs behind with Short overhauling Leitch for an excellent 3rd ahead of Simon Evans and McNee. They were then followed across the line by Penrose, Cox, Ross and Sullivan.

The revised starting grid for the 15 lap feature race saw Simon Evans and Jamie McNee off the front row but it was just a matter of time before Mitchell Evans and Richie Stanaway hit the front to open a small gap. They were eventually joined by fast charging Stefan Webling and Martin Short to form a five way tussle. Mitchell Evans was then run wide at the Hairpin which resulted in Stanaway receiving a 50 second time penalty thus relegating him to 10th place. Meanwhile, Webling dispatched Simon Evans to be awarded his second race win for the weekend while Simon Evans held off Short for 2nd place. They were followed by Leitch, Mitchell Evans, McNee, Matthew Penrose, Daniel Jilesen, Brett Sullivan, Chris Cox and Kerry Ross in that order. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Martin Short was later disqualified over a technicality which then elevated the following drivers up one position.       

The next round of the MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship will take place at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, near Christchurch over the weekend of November 29th and 30th.

 

Championship Points After Round 2:

Stefan Webling (Oakura)  413; Richie Stanaway (Tauranga)  340; Mitchell Evans (Auckland)  313; Simon Evans (Auckland)  290; Damon Leitch (Invercargill)  276; Jamie McNee (Wellington)  268; Martin Short (Hamilton)  256; Matthew Penrose (Christchurch)  250; Brett Sullivan (Nelson)  196; Chris Cox (Rangiora)  192; Kerry Ross (Tauranga)  185; Kim Crocker (Tauranga)  154; Ken Smith (Auckland)  111; Daniel Jilesen (Taumarunui)  96.

 

END.

 

For Further Media Information Contact:

 

Kevin Lancaster

Ph. 09 627 8219 (Home)

Ph. 021 627 824 (mobile)

Email: kevlancs@xtra.co.nz