Canterbury’s James Penrose continued his, so far, unbeatable run of race wins at the penultimate round of the 2020/21 South Island Formula 1600 Championship at Timaru International Raceway over the weekend. With just three races remaining and a maximum of 302-points left to play for, Penrose has a 271-point advantage over current champion Jack Noble-Adams with Zac Christensen a further 108-points back in third.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Penrose (Van Diemen Stealth). “Three wins and a pole, its been a brilliant weekend.
“I have been fortunate again to get a gap on the following cars early in the races. Jack (Noble-Adams) did well in the second race to stay in the tow. We just keep focusing on doing the little things right and that’s important for getting results.”
With three podium placings for the weekend, Noble-Adams (Van Diemen Stealth) wasn’t unhappy with the result.
“A pretty good weekend. Can’t really complain about second,” said Noble-Adams. “I’d really like to break James’ winning streak. Race one was tough, made a change for race two and got fastest lap, and had a misfire in race three.”
While the top three on the points table, Penrose, Noble-Adams and Christensen (Ray GR20), took all the podium placings for the round, there was plenty of action throughout the 24-strong field.
Shane Drake (Van Diemen RF92) returned to the series and finished fourth for the round ahead of four rookies, Jacob Douglas (Van Diemen RF91), Bree Morris (Ray GR17) Alex Crosbie (Van Diemen RF92) and Daniel Brown (Swift).
Driving the ex-Josh Bethune Ray, Morris has proved to be very competitive in just her second South Island outing.
“It’s been a really good weekend,” said Bree Morris. “We have got further up on the grid and had some battles and I’m happy with the positions I’ve had.”
Another rookie in just his second ever race meeting is Cromwell’s Dylan Petch (Mygale SJ12).
“It’s been a really good weekend,” commented Petch. “Friday was a bit rough sorting out some issues, but we finally got there and had some good racing.”
In the Historic Class 3 (pre 1990), it has been a season-long battle between Southland drivers Noel Atley (Crossle 55F) and rookie Harry Wilson (Van Diemen RF88), with the latter leading by just 53-points. However, it was Marc Doran (Ray 86F) who won the round from Atley.
Penrose continues to lead Class 2 (1990-1989) from Noble-Adams, Ethan Anderson (Van Diemen Stealth) and rookie Bo Hill (Van Diemen RF92). Christensen debuting a brand new Ray GR20 this season has a commanding lead in Class 1 (>2000) from Gary Love (Van Diemen RF01), Kim Crocker (Ray GR14) and Steve Donaldson (Ray GR20).
Drivers and teams now head to the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch for the final round 27-28 March.
Overall Points after 4/6 rounds – Top 15 (Provisional)
1/ James Penrose 1135
2/ Jack Noble-Adams 864
3/ Zac Christensen 766
4/ Ethan Anderson 756
5/ Cameron Freeman, 541
6/ Bo Hill* 517
7/ Daniel Brown* 471
8/ Jacob Douglas * 458
9/ Kim Crocker 448
10/ Robert Toshach 437
11/ Simon Spencer-Bower 423
12/ Alex Crosbie* 415
13/ Thomas Flynn* 352
14/ Shane Drake 331
15/ Harry Wilson* 320
*=Rookie
Race 1 (10 Laps)
1/ James Penrose Van Diemen RF93
2/ Zac Christensen Ray GR20
3/ Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen RF92 Stealth
4/ Ethan Anderson Van Diemen RF93
5/ Shane Drake Van Diemen RF92
6/ Jacob Douglas VanDiemen RF92
7/ Bree Morris Ray GR17
8/ Alex Crosbie Van Diemen RF92
9/ Daniel Brown Swift SC96K
10/ Kim Crocker Ray GR14
11/ Thomas Flynn Swift SC92
12/ Bo Hill Van Diemen RF92
13/ Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
14/ Marc Doran Van Diemen RF88
15/ Andy Downs Van Diemen RF94 Stealth
16/ Robert Toshach Swift FB89
17/ Steve Donaldson Ray GR20
18/ Noel Atley Crossle 55F
19/ Harry Wilson Van Diemen RF88
20/ Dylan Petch Mygale SJ12
21/ James Dicey Spectrum 07 B
22/ Keith Miller Van Diemen RF01
23/ Gary Love Van Dieman RF 01
24/ Greg Inwood Van Diemen RF90/91
Race 2 (10 Laps)
1/ James Penrose Van Diemen RF93
2/ Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen RF92 Stealth
3/ Zac Christensen Ray GR20
4/ Shane Drake Van Diemen RF92
5/ Jacob Douglas VanDiemen RF92
6/ Bree Morris Ray GR17
7/ Alex Crosbie Van Diemen RF92
8/ Bo Hill Van Diemen RF92
9/ Kim Crocker Ray GR14
10/ Thomas Flynn Swift SC92
11/ Daniel Brown Swift SC96K
12/ Marc Doran Van Diemen RF88
13/ Robert Toshach Swift FB89
14/ Noel Atley Crossle 55F
15/ Harry Wilson Van Diemen RF88
16/ Dylan Petch Mygale SJ12
17/ Andy Downs Van Diemen RF94 Stealth
18/ James Dicey Spectrum 07 B
19/ Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
20/ Greg Inwood Van Diemen RF90/91
21/ Keith Miller Van Diemen RF01
22/ Gary Love Van Dieman RF 01
DNF Ethan Anderson Van Diemen RF93
DNF Steve Donaldson Ray GR20
Race 3 (12-laps)
1/ James Penrose Van Diemen RF93
2/ Jack Noble-Adams Van Diemen RF92 Stealth
3/ Zac Christensen Ray GR20
4/ Shane Drake Van Diemen RF92
5/ Jacob Douglas VanDiemen RF92
6/ Ethan Anderson Van Diemen RF93
7/ Bree Morris Ray GR17
8/ Daniel Brown Swift SC96K
9/ Kim Crocker Ray GR14
10/ Thomas Flynn Swift SC92
11/ Alex Crosbie Van Diemen RF92
12/ Simon Spencer-Bower Van Diemen RF93
13/ Bo Hill Van Diemen RF92
14/ Marc Doran Van Diemen RF88
15/ Robert Toshach Swift FB89
16/ Harry Wilson Van Diemen RF88
17/ Dylan Petch Mygale SJ12
18/ Andy Downs Van Diemen RF94 Stealth
19/ James Dicey Spectrum 07 B
20/ Noel Atley Crossle 55F
21/ Greg Inwood Van Diemen RF90/91
22/ Keith Miller Van Diemen RF01
23/ Gary Love Van Dieman RF 01
DNF Steve Donaldson Ray GR20
Comments