Podium opportunities are available for up-and-coming Formula Ford drivers at the second round of the 2022/23 Yokohama South Island Formula 1600 Championship with several top drivers not having entered the round at Timaru International Raceway, Timaru, on Saturday (5 November). Current points leader Matthew Hamilton is heading to Las Vegas this week to compete in the Supernationals Kartsport event while Zac Christensen has not entered the round.
But the Wigram Cup winner from the opening round last weekend in Christchurch, Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21), won’t have it all his own way with the addition to the grid of former South Island champion Jack Noble-Adams (Ray GR21). Crosbie, the current NZ Formula Ford champion, will also be up against several rivals who are not only looking for more podiums but also their first race victory in the category.
“I’ll be looking to be up the front in Timaru,” said Crosbie. “I quite like the track as it is more technical than Ruapuna with some tight corners so will be looking to put some points on the board.”
Daniel Brown (Ray GR21) and Blake Knowles (Van Diemen RF05) sit fourth and fifth on the points table having each finished on the podium in Christchurch. Sixth placed Dylan Petch showed consistency while Ryan Low (Ray GR08), Thomas Flynn (Swift SC92) and Dominic Robertson (Swift SC94) are looking to break into a top five result, if not onto the podium.
The battle of the new rookie drivers will also be on in the mid-field. Dan Kelly (Van Diemen Stealth), Caleb Byers (Van Diemen Stealth) and Will Neale (Van Diemen Stealth) sit 10th– 12th on the points table with just 19-points covering the trio.
A 15-minute qualifying session takes place on Saturday morning at 10:45am with a $500 Hampton Downs NZ Race Academy cash prize for setting fastest lap at stake. Two 10-lap and a 12-lap race take place over the rest of Saturday with the NAPA Auto Parts Driver of the Day $230 prize also to be decided.
Overall Points after 1/6 rounds (Top 17)
1/ Matthew Hamilton 209
2/ Zac Christensen 170
3/ Alex Crosbie 168
4/ Daniel Brown 163
5/ Blake Knowles 157
6/ Dylan Petch 143
7/ Ryan Low 132
8/ Thomas Flynn 114
9/ Dominic Robertson 100
10/ Dan Kelly 97
11/ Caleb Byers 87
12/ Will Neale 78
13/ Keith Miller 78
14/ Michael Hey 76
15/ Jacob Cunniffe 26
16/ Rachael Beck 24
17/ Gary Love 22
Entry List (#, Driver, Chassis)
75, Jack Noble-Adams, Ray GR21
50, Blake Knowles, Van Diemen RF05
1, Alex Crosbie, Ray GR21
25, Daniel Brown, RayGR21
17, Dylan Petch, Ray GR21
73, Caleb Byers, Ray GR21
28, Will Neale, Van Diemen Stealth
83, Thomas Flynn, Swift SC92
58, Dan Kelly, Van Diemen Stealth
38, Gary Love, Van Diemen RF98
30, Jacob Cunniffe, SC96 Swift
77, Jake Bryant, Van Diemen Stealth
3, Dominic Robertson, SC94 Swift
63, Rachael Beck, Van Diemen RF92
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