Tom Alexander in the BlackBull Markets backed FT-50 made a perfect start to the Formula Open NZ series at Hampton Downs after qualifying on pole and winning all three races. He’s the man to beat after a perfect round whilst his main rivals had up and down weekends.
Qualifying got off to a false start when Ethan Sillay in the Swift SE3 Formula Ford 2000 popped a fuel line causing a flash fire on lap one. The young man impressed with his exit of the car and use of the fire extinguisher to contain the fire instantly and minimise the damage. He would make it back for race one.
Alexander and Josh Donohue (FT-50) traded times for pole position once the session restarted. Alexander holding pole when another red flag halted proceedings. Another car needed rescuing. Donohue and many others ended their session there with Alexander and Fergus Crabb (FT-50) going back out for a third shot at the pole. Both improved their times and at the end of it all it was Alexander followed by Donohue, Crabb, James Watson (Swift DB4) (main photo) and Bailey Cruse (FT-50) who made up the top five.
Race one saw Alexander take the lead from Donohue with the two of them establishing a gap from the field to remain untroubled and finish in that order. Donohue only just making it over the finish line with a failing fuel pump. Further back Watson and Crabb had secured third and fourth respectively with Gary Rush (Swift DB4) finishing fifth.
Race two the following morning saw an epic two lap battle of the top four with Watson grabbing an early lead from Alexander, Donohue and Crabb. Alexander eventually making a move and taking the lead into the dipper. Donohue was then tucked up under the swift heading into turn one only to have the air taken away from the wings which sent him into a full 360 spin. Facing the right way again Donohue dropped a gear and headed off with only losing a few seconds from Watson and without losing a position. That set up a last lap fight for second with Donohue passing Watson in the dipper but losing out in a drag race to the line, Watson getting it by under a tenth. Crabb came home fourth with Rush once again fifth.
Race three proved dramatic before the start with Crabb having starting issues getting out of the pit lane meaning he was out of position for the race start. Alexander took the lead when the lights went out with Watson muscling his way into second ahead of Donohue. Donohue could see Alexander sneaking away so at turn four made a bold move that ended in contact with Watson.
This resulted in Watson spinning on track whilst Donohue ended in the gravel and race over. Watson managing to keep going hooked back onto the single file safety car restart and in a great drive worked his way back through the field to finish second. Alexander taking the win with Rush third, Leo Francis (FT-40) fourth and Crabb getting through to fifth.
Other notable drives throughout the weekend include Sillay who after the earlier fire finished all three races improving times through out the day and getting the Swift SE3 in front of some of the more modern FT-40s and 50s.
Leo Francis grabbed an excellent fourth place finish in the final race and improved his lap times every session. Grant Rivers improved throughout the day as he got comfortable with his recently purchased Swift DB4 along with Paul Couper in another of the FT-40s. Geoff Harriman was glad to finish the weekend after a shunt into the barrier during a practice session on Friday. Luckily the spare parts bin contained everything needed to continue on.
With no time to rest the FONZ series heads to Manfeild this Friday and Saturday (April 1 & 2) for round two. Qualifying and race one on Friday and two races Saturday. With no restrictions on outdoor gatherings come on down to enjoy some top-class wings and slicks action.
Results (round 1)
| Competitor | Position | Points | Car | Car # | Class |
| Tom Alexander | 1 | 85 | Tatuus FT50 | 22 | Class 1 |
| James Watson | 2 | 55 | Swift DB4 | 31 | Class 1 |
| Fergus Crabb | 3 | 39 | Tatuus FT50 | 99 | Class 1 |
| Gary Rush | 4 | 39 | Swift DB4 | 27 | Class 1 |
| Josh Donohue | 5 | 39 | Tatuus FT50 | 49 | Class 1 |
| Leo Francis | 6 | 32 | Tatuus FT40 | 33 | Class 1 |
| Grant Rivers | 7 | 22 | Swift DB4 | 94 | Class 1 |
| Geoff Harriman | 8 | 17 | Tatuus FT50 | 3 | Class 1 |
| Paul Couper | 9 | 12 | Tatuus FT40 | 47 | Class 1 |
| Ethan Sillay | 10 | 11 | Swift SE3 | 5 | Class 2 |
| David Mitchell | 11 | 3 | Mygale M12-SJ | 9 | Class 2 |
| Bailey Cruse | 12 | 1 | Tatuus FT50 | 88 | Class 1 |
Calendar
Round 1 – Legends of Speed, Hampton Downs, March 26th & 27th, 2022
Round 2 – Manfeild Circuit, April 1st & 2nd, 2022,
Round 3 – Great Lake Meeting, Taupo BMMP, April 23rd, 2022
Round 4 – Season Finale, Hampton Downs, May 28th, 2022
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