Sebastian Manson leads the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship

Sebastian Manson leads the Napa Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship after winning 3 from 4 races at the Thunder Down Under Meeting In Timaru over the weekend. William Neale is followed close behind in 2nd by only 4 points after the 4 race weekend. Blake Knowles only 7 points adrift behind Neale. “If this weekend is anything to go, by the series is going to one heck of a fight!” said Series Co-Chairman Andy Robertson  

William Neale took Pole for the season opener along with taking the first Hampton Downs Academy $1010.10 Pole Cheque; but it was Seb Manson who rocketed out from the start to take the first race win. Blake Knowles set the fastest lap time of the race, while Simon Hunter was the biggest mover carving through the field from the rear of the 22 car grid to finish 8^th .

Race 2 saw a different leader as Blake Knowles who started 3^rd on the grid made his way to the front and took over from Manson with 4 laps to go. William Neale was always on their heels waiting for any mistake or opportunity to pass. While Knowles won on the track a post race penalty saw him drop to 4th. Further down the field the battles continued back and forth it was close racing everywhere you looked. Jacob Cunniffe suffered engine problems and didn’t start the race. 

Race three saw Manson take the win again from Knowles and Neale while current North Island Champion Dylan Grant took fourth from standout rookie Izaak Fletcher. Cameron Tanner took out Class 2 honours from Cameron Freeman and a returning Jacob Cunniffe.

The final 12 lapper was a ripper, with Knowles leading early but Manson pulled off a fantastic braking move into Turn one. Not once, but twice in a see saw battle that had 7 cars in the lead pack for the first half of the race. Will Neale then demoted Manson another spot and while this fight erupted Knowles was able to clear out and take a handsome victory from Manson, who got back by Neale followed closely by Dylan Grant and further back rookie Izaak Fletcher. Manson was then handed a 5 second post race penalty that dropped him to 7th  

Cameron Tanner beat Cameron Freeman for a class 2 honours in R3, but it was Freeman who took out the class 2 overall points for the weekend, the difference being the pole between the two drivers.

Christchurch will host the next round from the 9^th-11^th of February, as part of the Super Sprint meeting at the Euromarque Motorsport Park (Ruapuna).