This weekend the third and final round of the 2021 NZ Formula Ford Championship takes place at the Formula Ford Festival in Christchurch on Saturday 1 May. Auckland’s Mathew McCutcheon holds a slender 20-point lead over Cantabrian James Penrose with three races to decide the national title.
The Mike Pero Motorsport Park hosts the one-day event, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the South Island Formula Ford Club and 50 years of Formula Ford racing in NZ, which will see up to 70 cars competing across a number of different classes.
“I’m excited about Saturday,” commented Penrose. “I think it will be quite a spectacle seeing all the Formula Fords coming together. It’s cool to be able to see what it is really about and the history of the category in New Zealand.”
Two rounds have been held so far in the North Island with McCutheon taking four narrow race wins and finishing second in the other two. Penrose, who has won two and finished second in the other four, will have home track advantage over McCutcheon who has never previously raced at the Ruapuna track.
“For me it is about getting the little things right,” said Penrose. “There are some very fast drivers on the grid and Matt (McCutheon) will be dueling it out for the title.”
Penrose recently wrapped up the South Island Formula 1600 Championship with a perfect record of six pole-positions, winning all 18-races and leading every lap over the 2020/21 season.
“It was a really strong South Island series for me, so that gives me confidence,” commented Penrose. “I know that the others will be quick particularly Matt who has been from the get-go. I’m not expecting it to be easy at all and as we know, anything can happen in motorsport and particularly in Formula Ford. It will be a matter of just trying to be as fast as I can.”
Practice takes place on Friday with qualifying and three races spread over the day on Saturday with free entry for spectators.
2021 NZ Formula Ford Points Table after 2/3 rounds
1/ Matt McCutheon 438
2/ James Penrose 418
3/ Kyan Davie 348
4/ Blake Evans 294
5/ Zac Christensen 264
6/ Leo Scott 262
7/ Jacob Douglas 262
8/ Liam Sceats 249
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