This weekend sees the fourth round of the South Island Formula Ford Championship (SIFF) take place at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch. Also doubling as the second round of the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, the event has attracted drivers and teams from NZ, Australia and the UK.
Young Australian based Kiwi Hunter McElrea will look to consolidate his lead in the SIFF points table. With three wins from nine races, the fifteen year old has a slim eight point lead over Southland’s Ethan Anderson.
While still seeking his first win, Anderson has been a consistent performer but will need more points in order to stay ahead of third place Robert Toshach and fourth placed Mitchell Maddren.
Two major prizes are on the line this season for drivers. The national title winner will have the opportunity to attend an international ‘shoot-out’ in the USA, to determine who wins a $US200K fully supported drive in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2017.
The winner of the SIFF championship will win a free test drive of a Mygale Formula Ford car in Australia.
Making a return to the series after missing the last two rounds is Hunter McElrea’s father, Andy who will be joined by Brisbane based Kiwi Blair Brownlee. Both are making the trip over from Australia and are expected to be very competitive. McElrea senior finished on the podium in all three races at the opening round at Timaru International Raceway in October last year.
The round is part of the support categories to the opening round of the 2016 Toyota Racing Series. Current national Formula Ford champion Taylor Cockerton will feature as one of three Kiwi drivers up against 16 internationals in the five round series.
The South Island Formula Ford Championship is sponsored by a range of loyal supporters – Avon Tyres, Newfield Autos and Motorsport Solutions NZ Ltd.
