North Island drivers add spice as the South Island F1600 champs heat up

Several top North Island Formula Ford drivers will join the grid of the 2021/22 Yokohama South Island Formula 1600 Championship which returns to the Mike Pero Motorsport Park this weekend. It is proving to be a highly competitive season and with three rounds remaining in the Series there are a number of top contenders vying for the overall title.

It is the home track for rookie Louis Sharp (Spectrum 015) who has a narrow 22-point series lead over fellow Cantabrians Matthew Hamilton (Van Diemen RF88) and Zac Christensen (Ray GR20), a further 22 points back.

***#60 Louis Sharp leads #41 Alex Crosbie, Matt Hamilton and #21 Zac Christensen – Photo Euan Cameron***

Joining the grid from the north, this weekend, are current North Island Formula Ford Series leader Kyan Davie (Spectrum) and Sebastian Manson (Spectrum) who is third overall. Also heading south are Jacob Cunliffe (Swift), Liam Sceats (Van Diemen Stealth), Leo Scott (Spectrum 010) and Bree Morris (Ray GR17). Morris is no stranger to South Island tracks having made an impact last season in the series.

Also, in the mix will be race winner Simon Hunter (Mygale SJ08A), Alex Crosbie who scored his first podium at the last round in Invercargill, Daniel Brown (Ray GR21), Dylan Petch (Ray GR20) and Cameron Freeman, (Van Diemen RF93 Stealth).

As well as the overall championship, three Class titles are up for grabs. Sharp leads Class 1 (>2000) from Zac Christensen (Ray GR20) and Crosbie. Cameron Freeman (Van Diemen Stealth) continues to lead Class 2 (1990-1999) from Robert Toshach (Swift FB89) while Hamilton leads Class 3 (pre 1990) from Harry McDonald (Van Diemen RF88).

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 four races across the two-day meeting.

Overall Points after 3/6 rounds (Top 15)
Place, Name, Car, Points
1/ Louis Sharp, Spectrum 015, 468
2/ Matthew Hamilton, Van Diemen RF88, 446
3/ Zac Christensen, Ray GR20, 424
4/ Alex Crosbie, Ray GR21, 352
5/ Simon Hunter, Mygale SJ08A, 328
6/ Daniel Brown, Ray GR21, 322
7/ Dylan Petch, Ray GR20, 286
8/ Cameron Freeman, Van Diemen RF93 Stealth, 255
9/ Dyson Freeman, Van Diemen RF92, 196
10/ Bo Hill, Van Diemen RF94 Stealth, 195
11/ Robert Toshach, Swift FB89, 190
12/ Harry Wilson, Mygale SJ12, 158
13/ James Dicey, Spectrum 07B, 158
14/ Ryan Low, Ray GR08, 139
15/ Jack Noble-Adams, Ray GR21, 145