Christchurch single seater racing driver Anna Collins is looking at stepping up next season onto the podium after finishing fourth overall and winning the Class Two category in the 2015/16 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship.
With previous kartsport experience only, it was a rookie year in the single seater category for Collins and a well-rewarded one with the Class Two title now to her name. She is only the second woman to have achieved the honour with Carmen Doran winning back in the 2002/03 season.
“It’s been a lot of fun and hard work,” commented Collins. “We’re really pleased with how the season has gone and now it is time to step up to a Class One car and compete for race wins.”
Three Classes make up the Formula Ford competition, largely depending on the age of the car, with Class One being the more modern and competitive category.
Twenty-three year-old Collins currently works for a telecommunications company as a team manager. Her previous motor sport experience has been in kartsport.
“Karting was great as it was very competitive and had close racing. It is similar to Formula Ford in the race craft and I feel it gave me some great grounding.”
With her rookie year in Formula Ford now completed it is time to focus on the coming season and what is now required to compete at the next level.
“I think it’s more practice; focusing on the race, taking the opportunities, making sure you can take pressure and put it back on others and taking the opportunities. This season I have learnt so much about car handling and being able to convey this to the crew for what we need to do to get the most out of the car.”
Collins has had big shoes to fill as her brother Michael has won the South Island Formula Ford Championship twice (2012/13 and 2014/15) and was runner up in the 2013/14 season. Added to this is a second place in the 2013/14 national competition and third overall in the previous season.
“Michael has been great and given me some really good advice. He definitely been helpful with lots of advice on the different tracks and then giving me a lot of feedback and critique.
“I always enjoyed watching Michael race in the Formula Ford,” commented Anna. “He decided to move on so there was the opportunity get into either a Class 1 or Class 2 car. I immediately preferred the older car (Class 2) as I enjoyed the handling and it suited me for smooth driving.
“Now I think it is time to step into a Class One car. The aim is to compete in both the SIFF and the NZFF and finish in the top three in both.”
Racing will get underway in October with the opening round of the South Island series with the first of six national rounds expected to get underway in November.
