Cantabrian James Penrose is competing in the 2019/20 New Zealand Formula Ford championship and currently has a 44-point lead over second placed Callum Crawley after the first two of six rounds.
Both drivers, along with Zac Stichbury, are the only three in the series who already have a season of national Formula Ford experience under their belt. Penrose finished fifth in the 2018/19 national champs and third in the South Island’s.
He is competing in the oldest car on the grid, a Van Diemen Stealth RF93. Crawley competes in a new Spectrum 015 while Stichbury drives the Mygale SJ08A that is a proven championship winner, having seen victory with Callum Hedge (2017/18), Liam Lawson (2016/17), Michael Scott (2015/16), Taylor Cockerton (2014/15), Jamie Conroy (2013/14) and James Munro (2012/13).
So how does Penrose find himself in the lead of the national series with four rounds remaining?
“I had a really solid first round (in support of the Australian Supercars at Pukekohe Park ) and qualified pole and stayed out of trouble,” commented Penrose. “At Manfeild (round 2 in Feilding) I wasn’t as strong at qualifying but again stayed out of trouble and close to the front as I could and bagged some points.”
How does this year differ to last season? Is there a difference in the racing? Is there a difference within James Penrose?
“Quite different. Obviously the change in Championship shakes things up more. We are racing at tracks I am less familiar, with only one round in the South Island.”
This season there are five North Island rounds and one in the South at Teretonga Park (Invercargill) in January. Previous to this there was a mix of both North and South Island tracks.
“There are more newer cars as well and seven or eight drivers who could win each race. Last year it was really between three or four. Hence the competition at the front is a lot stronger, although there are less cars on the grid this season.”
Arguably last season there was more experience on the grid with Josh Bethune in his second season, Jordon Michels in his fourth along with Jack Noble-Adams and Spike Kohlbecker. Michels went on to win the title on the last lap of the last race in the last round.
“Jordon Michels was a good example of this and from my own experience, you don’t have to win every race to win a championship.
“It’s a matter of keeping my cool, staying out of trouble and collecting points.”
A talking point this season is the age of Penrose’s car.
“We are in a 1993 Van Diemen that was made into a Stealth in 2004. There are four or five new or newish Spectrums which is great to have on the grid. But it shows that a well prepared Stealth can still be competitive.
“The Spectrum is completely different and you would wonder if it is in the same category. The suspension components, pick up points and the length of the car is different. The Mygale is also different to setup but all look very similar on track.
“The Spectrum looks easier to drive, like it rides the curbs better. Maybe a bit more balanced. I’ve noticed that they seem to be able to position themselves on the track a bit more whereas I have got to force the car into doing what I want it to do.”
Should modern componentry be quicker?
“That’s the beauty of Formula Ford. The differences are so small that any driver can easily drive around a little problem and be better than a new car. “
How do you keep your head in the right place? You’re out in front, confidence is high but there are four rounds to go.
“I think it is important to focus on doing the right things. I don’t expect to go out and dominate every race, although I would like to. It is about keeping consistent finishes, staying up at the front, qualifying well and racing the best I can.
“So last season at Teretonga it kind of fell apart for me after I made a small mistake trying to hold on to the lead which I should have given up. From then on I was pushing hard for wins at the following rounds and that just led to more mistakes and more poor performances.
“This season I’ve got some experience under the belt and it is important to think long term rather than race wins.
“Think big picture and big points. Qualifying is mega important. It means you can get out front and not worry about what is happening behind you. It was different at Manfeild, qualifying fourth, which meant I had to deal with traffic and the risks of that.”
It’s interesting observing the influence of experience on a driver such as Penrose. Traditionally it has always been recommended to spend two seasons in Formula Ford, but lately young drivers have been in a rush to get to the next rung on their career ladder. Michels spent four years in the category but before him, Hedge, Lawson, Cockerton, Conroy and Munro only saw out one season.
Whether or not Penrose goes on to win the 2019/20 NZ Formula Ford title, it will be experience that tempers the outcome. And as they say, money cannot buy experience.
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