Christchurch’s Bailey Paterson (Van Diemen Stealth) had the perfect start to the seven-round 2019/20 South Island Formula 1600 Championship with fastest qualifying lap and three race wins. The Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch hosted the first round with 20 cars taking to the grid for three races at the one-day Canterbury Car Club meeting.
Second overall for the round was Cameron Freeman (Van Diemen RF92) ahead of rookie driver Zac Christensen (Van Diemen RF92). Freeman finished second in the first two races and managed fifth with a gearbox issue in the final 12-lap feature race.
“That was pretty good,” commented Paterson. “We had a new head put on the engine after the Pukekohe Supercars round and another carburettor, so the engine has gone really well. Once I got into a rhythm I was able to drive away. I do expect more competition heading to the next round at Timaru, so it should be good.”
Paterson had competed at the opening round of the NZ Formula Ford Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway in September but has now elected to compete in the South Island series.
While Paterson was able to control each race, there was plenty of action throughout the field with some drivers dealing with technical and setup issues while others were involved with racing incidents or just trying too hard.
Rookie driver Zac Christensen was one to shine at the round taking his first podium after finishing second in race three.
“I had a good start and was able to make up a few places when several in front of me went off the track,” commented Christensen. Fresh out of kartsport, Christensen gained valuable experience over the winter competing in the North Island Formula First Winter Series.
“That helped me so much with learning race car skills, particularly with draughting behind cars.”
Despite a did-not-finish (DNF) in the opening race, Steve Donaldson (Van Diemen RF90) came home strong in the final two races with two third places. Also in the mix was Jack Noble-Adams (Van Diemen Stealth) who managed to finish each race in the top five while contending with under steer in the car.
Also new to the class were rookie drivers Ryan Low in the Van Diemen RF88 scholarship car and Oscar Noble-Adams driving a Van Diemen RF90. Low now leads the Historic Class 3 while Noble-Adams is eighth in Class 2 which is led by Paterson from Freeman and Christensen.
Two Class 1 cars competed with Steve Edwards (Mygale SJ08) now leading Grant Campbell (VD RF03).
The series now heads to Timaru International Raceway on 9 November for the second round. More drivers are expected to join the grid including the return of James Penrose who is currently leading the NZ Formula Ford Championship after two rounds.
Overall Points after 1/7 rounds (Top 10)
1 Bailey Paterson, VD Stealth 122
2 Cameron Freeman, VD RF92 96
3 Zac Christensen, * VD RF92 87
4 Jack Noble-Adams, VD Stealth 82
5 Ryan Low, * VD RF88 64
6 Steve Donaldson, VD RF90 62
7 Steve Edwards, Mygale SJ08 60
8 Anna Collins, VD Stealth 54
9 Simon Spencer-Bower, VD Stealth 53
10 Andy Downs, Lola 642E 47
- Rookie driver
Results
Race 1 – 10 laps
1 Bailey Paterson Van Diemen RF94
2 Cameron Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
3 Dyson Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
4 Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen Stealth
5 Robert Toshach Swift FF FB 89
6 Zachari Christensen Van Diemen RF92
7 Ryan Low Van Diemen
8 Anna Collins Van Diemen RF Stealth
9 Steve Edwards Mygale SJ 08
10 Grant Campbell Van Diemen RF03
11 Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
12 Noel Atley Crossle 55F
13 Andy Downs Lola 642 E
14 Oscar Noble-Adams Van Diemen 1990
15 James Dicey Spectrum 07b
16 Keith Cowan Johnston FF
17 Dave McKenzie Begg FM3
DNF Greg Inward Van Diemen RF90/91
DNF Dominic Robertson Swift SC94
DNF Steve Donaldson Van Diemen RF90
Race 2 (10 laps)
1 Bailey Paterson Van Diemen RF94
2 Cameron Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
3 Steve Donaldson Van Diemen RF90
4 Zachari Christensen Van Diemen RF92
5 Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen Stealth
6 Grant Campbell Van Diemen RF03
7 Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
8 Ryan Low Van Diemen
9 Steve Edwards Mygale SJ 08
10 Anna Collins Van Diemen RF Stealth
11 Noel Atley Crossle 55F
12 Andy Downs Lola 642 E
13 Oscar Noble-Adams Van Diemen 1990
14 James Dicey Spectrum 07b
15 Keith Cowan Johnston FF
16 Greg Inward Van Diemen RF90/91
17 Dave McKenzie Begg FM3
DNF Dyson Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
DNF Robert Toshach Swift FF FB 89
DNF Dominic Robertson Swift SC94
Race 3 (12 laps)
1 Bailey Paterson Van Diemen RF94
2 Zachari Christensen Van Diemen RF92
3 Steve Donaldson Van Diemen RF90
4 Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen Stealth
5 Cameron Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
6 Steve Edwards Mygale SJ 08
7 Ryan Low Van Diemen
8 Andy Downs Lola 642 E
9 Anna Collins Van Diemen RF Stealth
10 Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
11 Noel Atley Crossle 55F
12 Oscar Noble-Adams Van Diemen 1990
13 James Dicey Spectrum 07b
14 Greg Inward Van Diemen RF90/91
15 Dave McKenzie Begg FM3
DNF Grant Campbell Van Diemen RF03
DNF Dyson Freeman Van Diemen RF 92
DNF Robert Toshach Swift FF FB 89
DNS Keith Cowan Johnston FF
DNS Dominic Robertson Swift SC94
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