Current national Formula Ford champion Alex Crosbie heads into the second of four 2023 NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship rounds with a narrow one-point lead over rival Dylan Grant. Just another six-points behind lingers Daniel Brown with Mason Potter, Jack Noble-Adams and Blake Dowdall still well in contention. Taupo Motorsport Park hosts the meeting which also doubles as the sixth round of the Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series.
The opening national round, last weekend at Hampton Downs, saw a fierce battle between the top two with one win each. Crosbie looked like he was about to take a second win in the final third race but the two had a ‘coming-together’ on the final lap, both dropping down the order with Dowdall taking the win.
Taupo presents another challenge for all drivers with a long back straight and a tight inner track with limited passing opportunities meaning a greater emphasis on qualifying well on Saturday morning.
“I’ve only raced at Taupo once before,” commented Crosbie. “Hopefully qualifying goes well as that is important for that circuit. It will be close racing again like we had at Hampton Downs.”
Although it was Crosbie’s first meeting at Taupo last season, he was able to come away with three podium finishes. Grant too admits that he has also had limited racing at the circuit.
“I haven’t done many laps in a Formula Ford around Taupo,” said Grant. “I know Alex’s car is quick in a straight line, but I think that we might have a chance in the tighter sections. Qualifying will be very important.”
The weekend is also the penultimate round of the Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Championship with the likelihood of a new leader emerging for the overall title. With the non-entry of current leader Liam Sceats, one of either Dowdall, Potter or Grant is likely to take over with one round remaining.
Drivers will face five 10-lap races over the weekend including competing for the Ron frost Memorial Trophy in the final race of the meeting. Also up for grabs is a $1,010,10 cash prize for fastest qualifier provided by the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy which also provides a travel fund for both North and South Island series. NAPA Auto Parts are also providing a $230 trade voucher for the North Island Series ‘Driver of the Day’.
The 2023 NZ Formula Ford Championship includes two North and two South Island rounds. The Napa Auto Parts NZ Formula Ford Championship and the Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series are also supported by Yokohama, the Tony Quinn Foundation and NAPA Auto Parts.
2023 NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
1/ Alex Crosbie 175
2/ Dylan Grant 174
3/ Daniel Brown 168
4/ Mason Potter 148
5/ Jack Noble-Adams 139
6/ Blake Dowdall 135
7/ Sebastian Manson 126
8/ Caleb Byers 115
9/ Blake Knowles 102
10/ Dylan Petch 88
11/ Hayden Bakkerus 81
12/ William Neale 66
13/ Keith Miller 58
14/ Leo Scott 45
2022/23 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series Points after 5/7 rounds (Top 8)
1/ Liam Sceats 785
2/ Blake Dowdall 756
3/ Mason Potter 741
4/ Dylan Grant 712
5/ Alex Crosbie 567
6/ Leo Scott 539
7/ Judd Christiansen 496
8/ Sebastian Manson 459
Entry List
NZFF Competitors
Caleb Byers (Ray GR21)
Blake Knowles (Van Diemen RF05)
Dylan Petch (Ray GR20)
Sebastian Manson (Spectrum 015)
Jack Noble-Adams (Ray GR21)
Blake Dowdall (Spectrum 015)
Daniel Brown (Ray GR21)
Dylan Grant (Van Diemen RF05)
Leo Scott (Spectrum 05)
Keith Miller (Van Diemen RF01)
William Neale (Van Diemen RF94 Stealth)
Mason Potter (Van Diemen Stealth)
Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21)
Hayden Bakkerus (Mygale)
NIFF Only
Kim Crocker (Ray)
Zach Blincoe (Mygale SJ07)
Judd Christensen (Van Diemen Stealth)
Historic
Tony Graham
Comments