October 7  2008

Media release: For immediate release to all media

A good start for Webling in Formula Fords

Last year’s MTA Formula Ford scholarship winner, Stefan Webling, got his 2008-9 campaign to win this season’s MTA Formula Ford Championship off to a good start with a win, a second and a fourth placing in the three races at the opening round of the championship at Taupo last weekend.

Webling (19), an apprentice Automotive technician in New Plymouth, set pole position in qualifying, heading off young Mitchell Evans (14) and Martin Short in one of the new Mygale Formula Fords.

Webling got away to a good start in the first race but was surprised by a daring late braking overtaking manoeuvre by Evans who took the lead on lap two and then held off Webling to the flag.

“I thought I had Mitch fairly well covered but he found a gap to get under me and grab the lead, obviously benefitting from his karting experience. He then held a tight line to the end and I could not find a way to pass him or unsettle him,” said Webling. Third was Kim Crocker, then Jamie McNee.

Webling was slow away from the start of the first damp race on Sunday, with Crocker, Mitch Evans and Richie Stanaway all leading him into the first corner. Crocker overshot one corner allowing Evans to take the lead, and the win from Short and Stanaway with Webling doing his best to unsettle Stanaway in the difficult conditions but having to be satisfied with fourth.

“I paid the penalty for too much wheelspin at the start on the damp track and in those conditions it was very hard to pass anyone, but I had a good dice with Richie,” said Webling.

For race three it was a case of concentration and maximum effort from Webling who made a good start this time along with Crocker. Crocker led initially but Webling was able to pass him down the long straight and outbrake him into the Chase to take the lead. From there Webling gradually opened his lead to win by nearly six seconds from Mitch Evans with the two Mygales of Stanaway and Short next.

“That was a much better race from me. I just needed to concentrate in the difficult conditions, after making some small changes to the setup of my car,” said Webling.

Webling’s 2008-9 MTA Formula Ford Championship campaign is supported by VnC Cocktails, Altherm, Diverse Extreme Team, Max Pennington Auto City, Warner Construction and Horizon Energy.

Stefan Webling
Photo: www.Kaptured.com/Lee Howell

Points: M Evans 217, Webling 196, Stanaway 165, Crocker 154, Short 147, McNee 135.
Next round: November 7-9  Pukekohe Park.

 For further information: Stefan Webling - Mob: 0274 379 549

Prepared and issued by Robin Curtis