The six-round 2021/22 Yokohama South Island Formula 1600 Championship burst into life last weekend with a number of young-guns seeking podium places. While Matthew Hamilton (Van Diemen RF88) won the opening round after taking victory in two of the three races, he has some stiff competition from a hand full of other drivers including two rookies, as the Series heads to Timaru International Raceway this Saturday.
Kartsport champion Louis sharp (Spectrum 015) set fastest lap in his first ever qualifying session for Formula 1600 and sent a message to the rest of the field that he will be competitive. The 14-year-old backed this up with three podium places and sits second overall on the points table. Behind him is Zac Christensen (Ray GR20) who now has a couple of seasons experience and a well-developed new chassis behind him. He won the opening race of the season and knows the Timaru circuit very well.
Third on the points table is rookie Simon Hunter (Mygale SJ08A) with previous South Island title holder Jack Noble-Adams (Ray GR21) in fifth. Noble-Adams is debuting a brand-new chassis this season and is time-short with studying for university finals and will miss this Friday’s practice sessions due to an exam.
“Simon (Hunter) is good at whatever he drives, he always has been,” commented Hamilton. “He does things properly. Louis (Sharp) is also going quick so there were some really good battles out front as Formula Ford should be.”
Behind these top five are four quick and improving drivers who are likely to step onto the podium at some stage this season. Daniel Brown (Ray GR21) has moved up into a brand-new Ray as has Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21) while Dylan Petch purchased his Ray GR20 late last season. These three and Ryan Low, in the ex-Joseph Newgarden (IndyCar driver) Ray GR08, had some close battles throughout the opening round. Also, ready to pounce is Cameron Freeman, driving last season’s winning Van Diemen Stealth of James Penrose.
Local Timaru driver Thomas Flynn is unlikely to make the grid after incurring damage in an accident last weekend while Will Kitching has a clash of dates and will be competing in the final round of the South Island Endurance Series in Christchurch.
With the adoption of the new Yokohama tyres, previous setup experience may not count at the Timaru circuit with an increased level of both grip and durability.
Saturday morning sees qualifying and a $500 cash prize from the Hampton Downs New Zealand Racing Academy for the fastest driver. This will be followed by three races across the day.
Overall Points Table after 1/6 rounds
1/ Matthew Hamilton, Van Diemen RF88, 217
2/ Louis Sharp, Spectrum 015, 189
3/ Zac Christensen, Ray GR20, 183
4/ Simon Hunter, Mygale SJ08A, 151
5/ Jack Noble-Adams, Ray GR21, 145
6/ Daniel Brown, Ray GR21, 140
7/ Alex Crosbie, Ray GR21, 135
8/ Dylan Petch, Ray GR20, 108
9/ Cameron Freeman, Van Diemen RF93 Stealth, 105
10/ Dyson Freeman, Van Diemen RF92, 91
11/ Harry Wilson, Mygale SJ12, 84
12/ Bo Hill, Van Diemen RF94 Stealth, 78
13/ Simon Spencer-Bower, Van Diemen RF93 Stealth, 72
14/ Robert Toshach, Swift FB89, 72
15/ Blake Knowles, Van Diemen RF92, 64
16/ James Dicey, Spectrum 07B, 60
17/ Ryan Low, Ray GR08, 58
18/ Keith Miller, Van Diemen RF01, 42
19/ Andy Robertson, Swift SC94, 34
20/ Thomas Flynn, Swift SC92, 30
21/ Nigel Arkell, Van Diemen RF90, 27
22/ Jacob Cunniffe, Swift SC96K, 24
23/ Will Kitching, Van Diemen RF98, 12
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