TSR’S STANAWAY DOMINATES RUAPUNA F FORD

Young gun Richie Stanaway answered critics in the best possible way at the Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna over the weekend with an emphatic round win in the MTA Formula Ford Championship.

Stanaway from Tauranga had been stripped of his race win at Pukekohe after a controversial protest, but his disqualification was reduced to a two place penalty and the loss of winner’s points. Stanaway (18) arrived in Christchurch determined to make amends and from the very first race was untouchable in his Hamilton-based TSR Racing Mygale.

Race wins followed in the second and third races and Stanaway took the round and after rival Mitchell Evans endured a tough weekend – established a comfortable series lead prior to the Christmas break.

Team mate Martin Short from Hamilton was also quick – and despite being t-boned by Evans in the first race (a misdemeanour that cost the youngster a drive through penalty) – finished ninth, third and sixth in the weekend’s races.

“We were looking for a good solid result after Pukekohe and we are only now starting to scratch the surface of the car’s potential,” explained Stanaway. “Three race wins and victory in the round is a great result though and well earned for the whole team.

“We are young and ambitious and we have been putting in extra miles on and off the track as we have tried to catch up with the other teams and drivers with our new car. I’m feeling pretty confident for the next round and for the series. I think we will only get faster now.”

Richie Stanaway three race wins and round victory

Ends

2008/09 MTA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship

Rnd 1 Oct 04-05 2008                Taupo Motorsport Park Taupo                                                                                               

Rnd 2 Nov 08-09 2008                Pukekohe Park Raceway Pukekohe

Rnd 3 Nov 29-30 2008                Powerbuilt Tools Raceway Christchurch

Rnd 4 Jan 24-25 2009                Timaru International Motor Raceway Timaru

Rnd 5 Jan 31-Feb 01 2009          Teretonga Park Invercargill

Rnd 6 Feb 28-Mar 01 2009          Manfeild Feilding

Rnd 7 Mar 21-22 2009                Hampton Downs, north Waikato.