The seven-round 2019/20 South Island Formula 1600 Championship is set to go this Sunday with a field of 17 cars taking to the grid at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch. The entry list boasts a range of talent, age and car-chassis with some great racing expected over the summer.
“We’re thrilled with not just the entry for the opening round but also the number of cars that will join the series heading to Christmas,” commented the South Island Formula Ford Club Chairman Derek Wilson. “Like each season, we have a number of new drivers to single seaters, a number of seasoned drivers and this year a number of both returning drivers and cars.”
Competition at the ‘pointy’ end of the field is expected to come from Bailey Paterson (Van Diemen RF94) and Jack Noble-Adams (Van Diemen Stealth). Paterson has winning experience under his belt from a very competitive season two years ago when he finished fourth overall in the championship.
Last season Noble-Adams also finished fourth overall including stepping up onto the podium twice in the final round in Timaru. He also competed in the 2018/19 NZ Formula 1600 Championships finishing sixth overall, and runner-up in the Class 2 title fight. Joining his brother for his first full season will be Oscar Noble-Adams competing in the ex-Royce Bayer Van Diemen Stealth.
Two scholarship cars have been made available again this season through the SIFF Club. Debuting in the series with a kartsport background is Zachari Christensen from Rolleston who will pilot the Les Singh Van Diemen RF92. Christchurch’s Ryan Low is also new to single seaters and will drive the Gary Love Van Diemen.
Drivers and chassis making a welcome return to the track include Anna Collins in the Alistair Hey Van Diemen RF Stealth. Steve Donaldson will compete in a Van Diemen RF90 that has not seen a race track for over a decade. Seasoned campaigner Robert Toshach was expected to drive his Swift FF FB 89 that hasn’t been raced for approximately 11 years but due to time restraints will compete in the opening round in his Spectrum 08. Dominic Robertson from Tai Tapu will be on track with the ex Daymon Templeman, Simon Wills Swift SC94 while Keith Cowan will bring out his Johnston FF (Chassis #001).
Other entries include Riverton’s Noel Atley (Crossle 55F), Dunedin’s Dyson Freeman (Van Diemen RF93), Davie McKenzie (Begg FM3) from Invercargill, Simon Spencer-Bower (Van Diemen RF93) and James Dicey (Spectrum 07b) from Central Otago, Auckland’s Grant Campbell (Van Diemen RF03), and from Christchurch Andy Downs (Lola 642 E) and Steve Edwards in the only Mygale (SJ08) entered in the series.
“We expect some great racing over the summer,” commented Derek Wilson. “This championship is all about racing in a category that develops race-craft which is so vital for our young drivers and their future careers.”
Four of the seven championship rounds will take place before the Christmas break including the prestigious Wigram Cup meeting at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park 23/24 November.
There are two consecutive rounds in January as part of the Speed Works summer series, first at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell 17-19 January. This is followed a week later with the penultimate round at Teretonga Park in Invercargill before the finale back at Timaru International Raceway 7 March 202.
This Sunday’s racing as part of the Canterbury Car Club, Club Race Day, will see a short practice followed by qualifying in the morning and two 10-lap and a 12-lap feature races in the afternoon.
Entry List
Noel Atley, Riverton, Crossle 55F
Grant Campbell, Auckland, Van Diemen RF03
Zachari Christensen, Rolleston, Van Diemen RF92
Anna Collins, Christchurch, Van Diemen RF Stealth
Keith Cowan, Christchurch, Johnston FF
James Dicey, Cromwell, Spectrum 07b
Steve Donaldson, Christchurch, Van Diemen RF90
Andy Downs, Christchurch, Lola 642 E
Steve Edwards, Rangiora, Mygale SJ 08
Dyson Freeman, Dunedin, Van Diemen RF 92
Ryan Low, Christchurch, Van Diemen
Davie McKenzie, Invercargill, Begg FM3
Jack Noble-Adams, Rangiora, Van Diemen Stealth
Oscar Noble-Adams, Rangiora, Van Diemen 1990
Bailey Paterson, North Canterbury, Van Diemen RF94
Dominic Robertson, Tai Tapu, Swift SC94
Simon Spencer-Bower, Wanaka, Van Diemen RF93
Robert Toshach, Christchurch, Spectrum 08
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