One of the largest Formula Ford fields for some time will compete in the second 2022/23 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) round in association with Napa as a support category for the Repco Supercars Championship weekend at Pukekohe Park Raceway in Auckland.
It’s the second consecutive weekend for the series after a sizzling start to the season at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding last weekend. Liam Sceats (Van Diemen Stealth) emerged with the perfect weekend claiming pole position and three race wins to lead the series from Blake Dowdall (Spectrum 015) and current NZ Formula Ford champion Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21) . Sceats may describe his wins as lucky as any of a handful of drivers were always in contention for the chequered flag in each race.
“It should be good,” commented Liam Sceats. “I like the close racing at Puekohe. The toe and draught are massive. It will be pretty competitive and it will be fantastic racing in front of a crowd.”
Added to the competition for this weekend is a strong contingent of ten drivers from the South Island. Joining Southland’s Alex Crosbie is current South Island Champion Zac Christensen (Ray GR20), 2019/20 South Island champion Jack Noble-Adams (Van Diemen Stealth) and race winners Simon Hunter (Mygale) and Matthew Hamilton (Van Diemen Stealth).
Veteran Formula Ford ambassador and campaigner Ken Smith has entered while Shane Drake (Van Diemen RF92) and Kyan Davie (Spectrum 015) make their return to the series.
On the line is a $500 cash prize for fastest qualifier provided by the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy. The award is part of the increased $66,000 prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel and testing opportunities with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ. Qualifying and the first 10-lap race take place on Saturday with another 10-lap and a 12-lap race on Sunday.
Also on offer by NIFF and Napa is $1500 of cash prizes for 1st to 3rd, ($750, $500 and $250) as well as the Napa Account credit of $230 for the overall winner.
A key to the successfully running of this season is the support from the Historic Formula Ford Club. The Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series is also supported by Yokohama, the Tony Quinn Foundation and NAPA Auto Parts.
Formula Ford racing timetable
Friday, September 9
12:05 – 12:25 Formula Ford Practice 1
13:35 – 13:55 Formula Ford Practice 2
Saturday, September 10
12:30 – 12:50 Formula Ford Qualifying
15:35 – 15:55 Formula Ford Race 1
16:40 Supercars Race 27
Sunday, September 11
10:10 – 10:30 Formula Ford Race 2
14:50 – 15:10 Formula Ford Race 3
15:55 Supercars Race 29
Overall Points after 1/7 rounds (Top 12)
1/ Liam Sceats 227
2/ Blake Dowdall 188
3/ Alex Crosbie 181
4/ Leo Scott 152
5/ Mason Potter 144
6/ Zach Blincoe 139
7/ Sebastian Manson 102
8/ Keith Miller 97
9/ Chris Symon 81
10/ Judd Christiansen 72
11/ Hayden Bakkerus 42
12/ Dylan Grant 39
NIFF Rnd 2 Entry list (Race #, Driver, Chassis)
00 Simon Hunter Mygale
1 Alex Crosbie Ray GR21
3 Kyan Davie Spectrum 015
5 Mike Davidson 1984 Reynard Historic
6 Blake Dowdall 2019 Spectrum
11 Ken Smith 1986 Van Dieman
15 Dylan Grant Van Diemen RF03
20 Hayden Bakkerus Mygale SJ11A
21 Zac Christensen Ray GR20
25 Daneil Brown Ray GR21
29 Liam Sceats 1993 Van Diemen Stealth
33 Bob Corbett 1979 Dulon
37 Ryan Low Ray GT08
40 Chris Symon 2001 Van Diemen
48 Ian Arbuthnott Lola T340
50 Blake Knowles 2005 Van Dieman RF05
56 Andy Downs 1974 Lola T342
59 Matt Hamilton Van Dieman
69 Sebastian Manson Spectrum
73 Caleb Byers Ray
75 Jack Noble-Adams Ray GR21
79 Ian West 1979 Van Diemen
90 Zach Blincoe Mygale SJ08
92 Shane Drake Van Diemen RF92
93 Mason Potter Van Diemen Stealth
99 Leo Scott Spectrum 010
125 Judd Christiansen Stealth
190 Chris Kershaw Ray
169 Martin Lucas Lotus
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