There is resurgence in Formula Ford racing this season and more drivers are scrambling to get involved. The South Island Formula Ford Club Race Committee were delighted with the ‘turn out’ of drivers for the first round of the Ace Hire South Island Formula Ford Championship at the beginning of October. Nineteen championship cars took to the grid at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park including four from the North Island and one from the UK.

Three races were held at the Canterbury Car Club club day where the racing was exciting, very close and of high quality, particularly from the ‘gaggle’ of young new drivers at the front of the grid. This included ten Class 1, four Class 2 and five Class 3 cars.

The pace of teenager Marcus Armstrong (Class 1) was impressive and the competitiveness between him and Michael Collins (Class 2) saw quicker times than last season on the same track in similar conditions.

With a number of regular drivers missing from the grid due to incomplete winter rebuilds, round two at Timaru in November will be bigger.. Ready to take the lead at any moment are Caleb Cross, Aaron Marr, Ryan Yardley and Tayler Cockerton. All are exciting young drivers showing considerable skill and pace.

While a 30 car grid is ambitious it looks likely the entry list for round 2 at Levels (Timaru) will be around this number. Round 2 for the Ace Hire South Island Formula Ford Championship at Levels will double as the first round of the NZ Formula Ford Championship. This will draw more cars to the event and raise the podium stakes.

Can Michael Collins bring his Class 2 home first or will the young 14 year olds Marcus Armstrong and Caleb Cross make it to the podium for this round? A rumour from around the pits suggests another ‘significant’ NZ driver will make a surprise entry into the championship at Levels.

The South Island Formula Ford Club acknowledge the support of Ace Hire (Chch), Avon Tyres, Arai Helmets, Motorsport Solutions (NZ) and Newfield Autos (Invercargill).