A large and highly competitive field will take to the grid at Timaru International Raceway 15 November as the second round of the Ace Hire South Island Formula Ford Championship gets underway. Veteran Ken Smith is one of 23 drivers entered; half of them are capable of podium finishes which bodes well for some entertaining racing.
In form drivers at the first round in early October were school boy Marcus Armstrong and electrical apprentice Michael Collins. Making his single seater debut, Armstrong won two of the three races and finished second to the more experienced Collins in the third. Collins twice finishing second to Armstrong.
Armstrong’s karting rival Caleb Cross was also making his single seater debut but only received his Mygale race car just several days before the round but finished a credible fourth overall. With time to sort and prepare the car, Cross is expected to challenge at the front.
The Mygale Formula Ford has been the car to beat since its NZ debut several years ago and there are four others entered in the round. Wanganui’s Aaron Marr finished third in the first round. Pukekohe’s Taylor Cockerton had a podium finish at Ruapuna while Toyota Racing Series driver Michael Scott from Te Puke will also be on the grid. Steve Edwards continues his campaign, also in a Mygale.
Veteran driver Ken Smith will join the Collins team and drive the Van Diemen Stealth that Michael drove last season to second overall in both the national and South Island championships. This season Michael has made the strategic switch to an older Class 2 car. While not as modern as most of the top competitors cars, the change offers the option of fielding a much lighter car.
With multiple wins in the NZ Grand Prix and Tasman Cup Revival F5000 Series, the 72 year old Smith has yet to win a Formula Ford championship but brings a life time of experience to the Collins Racing team.
In the Class 3 Historics, Doug Price (Renard) won all three races at Ruapuna and will look to increase his lead over Mark Hamilton (Dulon MP15) and Roger McKenzie (Begg FM3).
Practice for the round takes place on Friday with qualifying and three races on Saturday.. The round also doubles as the opening round of the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship.
The South Island Formula Ford Club acknowledge the support of Ace Hire (Chch), Avon Tyres, Arai Helmets, Motorsport Solutions (NZ) and Newfield Autos (Invercargill).
