Michael Collins has continued to win points in his quest for the 2014 New Zealand Formula Ford title after the second round in Invercargill over the weekend. Three second places have given the apprentice electrician another 201 points after some difficult and changeable conditions challenged competitors over the three race weekend.
“Consistency is continuing to pay off for the team,” commented Collins. “We just keep putting points in the bank and taking the wins when we can.”
Rival Jamie Conroy took out the weekend with three race wins and was able to increase his points lead at his home track.
The round also doubled as the fourth in the Ace Hire South Island Formula Ford Championship which Collins continues to lead this series from Conroy.
While the first race on Saturday afternoon was run in the dry, a very wet Sunday morning brought some difficult conditions for drivers.
Conroy initially bogged down at the start allowing Collins to lead away the field. Conroy was eventually able to catch up and take the lead in the first few laps.
“We lacked some rear grip in the first race,” said Collins. “In the second race we started on new tyres which took a couple of laps to come in and for tyre pressures to make a difference.”
Robert Toshach aquaplaned off damaging the car and took no further part in the weekend. Then on the second to last lap Blenheim’s Aaron Marr got caught in the sand trap at the loop bringing out the red flag and a premature finish to the race.
Earlier Marr had passed Collins for second but the positions reversed before the end of the lap when Marr ran wide at the Elbow allowing Collins back into second.
The third and final race saw Conroy away into the lead and Marr following. However Marr overshot heading out of Castrol corner allowing Collins to take up the challenge.
He then came close to passing the leader on the inside of the loop with a few laps remaining.
“I got up on the inside line but we came upon a back marker and I had to back out, yielding the lead to Jamie,” commented Collins. Marr finished third and this time American rookie Andrew Hobbs claimed fourth ahead of Ryan Yardley.
“While it is preferable to win, the key is to finish,” said Collin. “It is still a long way to go in the championship, particularly with the North Island rounds and I’m pleased with the experience from last season’s competition.”
The field now heads to Timaru International Motor Raceway, just outside of Timaru. The third round takes place this coming weekend and also doubles as the fifth round of the Ace Hire Series.
