Liam Sceats has had a perfect weekend setting fastest lap in qualifying and winning all three races at the opening round of the 2022/23 Giltrap North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding over the weekend. What can only be described as ‘vintage Formula Ford racing’, Sceats had an element of luck to come out on top through competition that saw the lead change over multiple lap in all three races.
“A good weekend,” commented Sceats (Van Diemen Stealth). “A big thanks to Phil (Barrett) as the John Andrew’s Ford has been quick all weekend so good to have the results. Really happy how the season has started off.”
It was the final round of the Manawatu Car Club 75th Anniversary Winter Series which saw sixteen drivers take to the grid, including support from the Historic Formula Ford Club. Included in the field was current NZ Formula Ford champion, Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21) and a number of rookie drivers moving up from the Formula First category.
Sceats did not have everything his own way and had to battle both Crosbie, Blake Dowdall (Spectrum 015), Mason Potter (Van Diemen Stealth), Leo Scott (Spectrum 05), Dylan Grant (Van Diemen RF03) and Zac Blincoe (Mygale SJ07) across the three races with any of these drivers able to cross the line in first.
In fact, rookie driver Dylan Grant did cross the line first in Race 2, only to be disqualified due to a technical infringement. Again, in Race 3 he was also unlucky, coming together with race leader Sebastian Manson on the penultimate lap, resulting in Manson rolling and both retiring out of the results.
Sceats picks up the $500 cash prize for fastest qualifier provided by the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy and leads the overall points ahead of Blake Dowdall and Alex Crosbie.
The Series now heads to Pukekohe Park Raceway this coming weekend in Auckland. The second NIFF round takes place as one of the support categories for the Repco Supercars Championship event with up to 30 Formula Ford entries expected to take to the grid.
The award is part of the increased $66,000 prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel and testing opportunities with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ. Qualifying and the first 10-lap race take place on Saturday with another 10-lap and a 12-lap race on Sunday. The Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series is also supported by Yokohama, the Tony Quinn Foundation and NAPA Auto Parts.
Overall Points after 1/7 rounds (Top 12)
1/ Liam Sceats 227
2/ Blake Dowdall 188
3/ Alex Crosbie 181
4/ Leo Scott 152
5/ Mason Potter 144
6/ Zach Blincoe 139
7/ Sebastian Manson 102
8/ Keith Miller 97
9/ Chris Symon 81
10/ Judd Christiansen 72
11/ Hayden Bakkerus 42
12/ Dylan Grant 39
Race Results
Race 1 (10 laps)
1/ Liam Sceats Van Diemen Stealth
2/ Blake Dowdall Spectrum 015
3/ Mason Potter Van Diemen Stealth
4/ Alex Crosbie Ray GR21
5/ Leo Scott Spectrum 05
6/ Ethan Sillay Swift
7/ Zac Blincoe Mygale SJ07
8/ Sebastian Manson Spectrum 015
9/ Dylan Grant Van Diemen RF03
10/ Judd Christiansen Van Diemen Stealth
11/ Martin Lucas Lotus
12/ Keith Millar Van Diemen RF01
13/ Ian Arbuthnott Lola 1974 HFF
DNF Chris Symon Van Diemen RF01
DNF John Pickford Reynard FF84
DNS Hayden Bakkerus Mygale
Race 2 (10 laps)
1/ Liam Sceats Van Diemen Stealth
2/ Alex Crosbie Ray GR21
3/ Sebastian Manson Spectrum 015
4/ Blake Dowdall Spectrum 015
5/ Leo Scott Spectrum 05
6/ Zac Blincoe Mygale SJ07
7/ Ethan Sillay Swift
8/ Chris Symon Van Diemen RF01
9/ Martin Lucas Lotus
10/ Mason Potter Van Diemen Stealth
11/ Keith Millar Van Diemen RF01
12/ John Pickford Reynard FF84
DQ Dylan Grant Van Diemen RF03
DNF Hayden Bakkerus Mygale
DNF Ian Arbuthnott Lola 1974 HFF
DNF Judd Christiansen Van Diemen Stealth
Race 3 (12 laps)
1/ Liam Sceats Van Diemen Stealth
2/ Blake Dowdall Spectrum 015
3/ Alex Crosbie Ray GR21
4/ Leo Scott Spectrum 05
5/ Zac Blincoe Mygale SJ07
6/ Mason Potter Van Diemen Stealth
7/ Hayden Bakkerus Mygale
8/ Chris Symon Van Diemen RF01
9/ Judd Christiansen Van Diemen Stealth
10/ Martin Lucas Lotus
11/ Keith Millar Van Diemen RF01
12/ John Pickford Reynard FF84
13/ Ian Arbuthnott Lola 1974 HFF
DNF Ethan Sillay Swift
DNF Dylan Grant Van Diemen RF03
DNF Sebastian Manson Spectrum 015
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