This weekend, another competitive field of 27 Formula Ford’s will hit the track for the penultimate round of the 2019 Australian Formula Ford Championship. Kiwi Callum Hedge currently sits in fourth place having been as high as second overall earlier in the season.
Hedge won three races in the opening two rounds, but two DNFs’ (did not finish) coupled with two penalties and loss of points have seen him slip to fourth overall, 36-points behind the overall leader Angelo Mouzouris.
The National Championship will be joining forces with the NSW Formula Ford Championship at Wakefield Park Raceway, with an abundance of local drivers testing themselves against the National regulars.
Sonic Motor Racing Services’ Angelo Mouzouris is currently leading the National standings, 11 points clear of Zac Soutar, while CHE Racing’s Lachlan Mineeff follows in third. The young New South Welshman comes off the back of two consecutive round wins at The Bend Motorsport Park and Sandown Raceway and will definitely be a contender at his home track.
Former championship leader Thomas Sargent returns to the Championship after a sizeable crash in his CHE Racing Mygale sidelined his weekend at Sandown. Thanks to his outstanding performance at the beginning of the year, the young teenager is still in contention for the championship. Sargent is currently sitting in fifth position in the standings, 37 points behind the leader.
Synergy Motorsport’s Jake Donaldson will be re-joining the National field after missing the last couple of rounds and will be looking to utilise his track knowledge on his return.
Victorian-based privateers Ben Bargwanna and Spencer Ackermann are making the trek up to the Goulburn circuit after a competitive showing at Sandown Raceway. The two Victorians finished third and fifth respectively during the combined round at Sandown in July but have never raced at Wakefield Park.
Plenty of rookies from the NSW ranks are making their debut in the National field this weekend. Current State Championship hot-shot Cooper Allen will be joined by Zach Bates, both are fresh to the category and eager to learn.
Another special mention must go to Will Liston, who will be making his Formula Ford debut aboard the Listec WIL013 build by his father Paul Liston.
“It’s always been a family thing for us. I grew up going to the workshop and the racetrack with Mum and Dad and Joe [Farrugia – Listec Racing Cars mechanic]. We’ve always done everything in racing together, so the next logical step was always to try and race for my Dad. It’s a really special moment for me to finally have a moment where all the planets align for us to be able to do this together,” said William Liston when his entry was announced.
Interestingly, Paul Liston’s Formula Ford’s already have a connection with his son Will, with the “WIL” prefix being a tribute to him. The Kent-powered WIL03 was first, followed by the WIL013 Duratec that Will himself will be racing this weekend. Listec Race Cars are currently underway with the next generation of their Formula Ford chassis, the WIL019, due for completion soon.
In the NSW Kent field, Shane Nichols will be trying to protect his championship lead against Mitch Gatenby, while Scott Tidyman will be looking for some consistency across the weekend prior to the final round of the season at Sydney Motorsport Park. Rookie Nick McLeod will be joining the field again after his debut at Sydney Motorsport Park in August.
The action at Goulburn will kick off this Friday, September 6th, with a day of practice. Qualifying and race one are scheduled for Saturday, followed by two more races on Sunday.
Event Schedule
Saturday
Qualifying – 11.00am
Race 1 – 2.10pm
Sunday
Race 2 – 11.10am
Race 3 – 2.45pm
2019 Australian Formula Ford Championship standings – top 5
1st – Angelo Mouzouris – 201pts
2nd – Zac Soutar – 190pts
3rd – Lachlan Mineeff – 170pts
4th – Callum Hedge – 165pts
5th – Thomas Sargent – 164pts
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