MTA NEW ZEALAND FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP

DAMON LEITCH HOME TOWN FORMULA FORD HERO AT TERETONGA

Invercargill racing driver Damon Leitch performed sensationally on his home track at Teretonga Park to take overall honours in Round 5 of the MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship last weekend. The 16 year old was under pressure to provide the enthusiastic home crowd with results and he certainly did not disappoint by taking a race win and two second placings in what is described as the closest fought racing this season.

To emphasise the closeness of racing, three different drivers took race wins by the closest of margins although qualifying was a true indicator of what was in store for the weekend. Championship leader Richie Stanaway (Tauranga) set the pole position time but only 0.007 secs ahead of 15 year old Jamie McNee (Wellington) who was a mere 0.034 secs ahead of Mitchell Evans (Auckland). Leitch, Matthew Penrose (Rangiora) and Stefan Webling (Oakura) completed the top six starting grid positions.

The opening 10 lap race of the weekend was an absolute thriller with Stanaway holding off the hard charging Leitch by 0.007 secs which basically saw both cars side by side across the finish line. The ever impressive McNee was another 0.116 secs behind followed by Evans, Martin Short (Hamilton) and Penrose. Championship contender Webling endured a torrid race to finish 11th but vowing to improve in the remaining two races.

However, Race 2 changed the course of the weekend as contact between Stanaway and Leitch saw the former fail to finish while the home town hero continued to notch up his first championship race victory. Evans again displayed why he is the hottest 14 year old in the business by challenging to the chequered flag to trail by 0.048 secs. McNee also maintained his excellent form for another third place while Webling came home 4th ahead of Short and Penrose.

The 15 lap feature Race 3 was set to be another classic with the top six cars trading places throughout but it was Evans who reigned this time to win by nearly a second ahead of Leitch and an improving Short. NcNee settled for 4th with Webling a close 5th and Penrose a few seconds further back. Stanaway experienced further dramas to eventually finish 7th. Evans efforts were rewarded with overall second place on the Round 5 podium with McNee again taking out the third spot overall.

The next round of the Championship will take place at the Manfeild Park, near Feilding, on February 27th and March 1st.         

Invercargill hero Damon Leitch (87) battles with Richie Stanaway (4) and Jamie McNee (88)

 

Championship Points After Round 5:

Richie Stanaway (Tauranga)  907; Stefan Webling (Oakura)  830; Mitchell Evans (Auckland)  826; Jamie McNee (Wellington)  764; Martin Short (Hamilton)  675; Damon Leitch (Invercargill)  655; Simon Evans (Auckland);  645; Matthew Penrose (Rangiora)  642; Chris Cox (Rangiora)  552; Brett Sullivan (Nelson)  431; 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.

END.

 

For Further Media Information Contact:

Kevin Lancaster

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Email: kevlancs@xtra.co.nz