Southland’s Alex Crosbie returns to the South Island Formula 1600 Championship as the New Zealand Formula Ford champion as the 2022/23 season gets underway in Christchurch this weekend. Crosbie (main photo) will have his work cut out this weekend at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park with current South Island title holder Zac Christensen (Ray GR20) also lining up on the grid. In the mix for race wins will be Matthew Hamilton in a Van Diemen Stealth and Dylan Petch in a Ray GR21. Hamilton and Christensen were fierce rivals last season and are likely to continue their on-track battle.
Looking to step up to the podium will be Daniel Brown (Ray GR21), Ryan Low (Ray GR08) and Blake Knowles (Van Diemen RF05), all experienced campaigners in the category.
The opening round sees five new entries’ making their season debut in the category. Crosbie’s mother, Rachael Beck will pilot her son’s older Van Diemen RF92. Jake Bryant, who competed in the final three rounds last season, along with Will Neale and Dan Kelly will all drive Van Diemen Stealths, while Caleb Byers will drive a new Ray GR21.
At stake in the opening round is the prestigious Wigram Cup to be fought for over 12-laps on Sunday. It was Matthew Hamilton who won the race last season in a Class 3 chassis (Van Diemen RF88) and could prove to be more competitive having moved up to a Van Diemen Stealth.
The 2022/23 season will be contested over six rounds on South Island circuits with the finale back in Christchurch at the end of March 2023. Also on the line are two Class titles with Class 1 (post 2000 cars) and Class 2 (1990-1999). With the newly established 2022/23 South Island Historic Formula Ford Series also underway at the opening meeting, the traditional Class 3 (Historic) has its own series of racing.
Qualifying and the first of three races will take place on Saturday with two more on Sunday including the 12-lap Wigram Cup.
Entry List (Driver, Chassis)
Alex Crosbie, Ray GR21
Dominic Robertson, SC94 Swift
Dylan Petch, Ray GR21
Zac Christensen, RayGR20
Daniel Brown, RayGR21
Will Neale, Stealth
Jacob Cunniffe, SC96 Swift
Ryan Low, Ray GR08
Gary Love, VD RF98
Keith Miller, VD RF01
Blake Knowles, VDRF05
Dan Kelly, Stealth
Matthew Hamilton, Stealth
Rachael Beck, VD RF92
Caleb Byers, Ray GR21
Jake Bryant, Stealth
Thomas Flynn, Swift SC92
2022/23 South Island Formula 1600 Championship Calendar
Rnd 1: 28-30 October 2022, Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Rnd 2: 5 November 2022, Timaru International Raceway, Timaru
Rnd 3: 3-4 December 2022, Teretonga Park Raceway, Invercargill
Rnd 4: 4 March 2023, Timaru International Raceway, Timaru
Rnd 5: 18-19 March 2023, Teretonga Park Raceway, Invercargill
Rnd 6: 25-26 March 2023, Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, Christchurch
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