Three wins from three races have moved Campbell Owens (Ray GR21) up the leader board, while Jack Groenewald (Mygale SJ07A) has taken the overall lead in the 2025/26 North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) after finishing three times on the podium.
The one-day Auckland Car Club took place at Taupo Motorsport Park and featured a quality field producing more classic Formula Ford racing.
“Really thrilled with the results and hope to carry on the momentum,” commented Owens, who failed to score points at the opening round in October.
“It’s a good way to come back from the last round, a bit of redemption.”
Groenewald set the pace with the fastest lap in qualifying, picking up the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy $500 cash prize. Second quickest was Owens, followed by rookie driver William Beck (Spectrum 010).
It was three wide heading into the first turn of the opening nine-lap race with Groenewald emerging in the lead ahead of Owens.
“I made a move at Turn 10, the last corner onto the main straight going around the outside of Jack,” said Owens.
“From then, I was able to hold the lead to the end and win my first NIFF race.”
Groenewald finished second ahead of Toby McCormack (Spectrum 010), Ollie Sentch (Van Diemen Stealth) and Shane Drake (Van Diemen RF92) in fifth.
It was a similar situation in the second race with Groenewald taking the lead out of Turn 1 and Owens attacking into Turn 10 on the opening lap.
“I had tried to go around the outside (of Groenewald) in Turn 1,” said Owens.
“This time into Turn 10, we had more of a fight. However, I got a better exit and then held the lead to the end.”
Owens was able to hold the gap as Groenewald fought off Maxim Kirwan (Spectrum 015) and McCormack. Kirwan, who had a successful round at the South Island Formula Ford Series last weekend, came home second, Groenewald third, ahead of McCormack and Sentch.
It was Kirwan who took the lead from the start of the final 11-lap race, holding it for eight laps ahead of McCormack, Owens and Groenewald.
It all came undone for Kirwan when his engine started missing, dropping him down the order. A problem that had plagued the team through qualifying and Race 1.
“Max had cleared out and had a four or five-second lead until his engine played up,” said Owens.
“The three of us got passed, then something seemed to break on Toby’s car as I went around him at Turn 10.”
Owens went on to claim his third win from Groenewald, Drake, Sentch and Beck. The standout performance from Owens gave him both the round win and the NAPA Driver of the Day Award.
James Collie’s consistency (Van Diemen RF91) across the first two rounds sees him in fourth overall, one point ahead of McCormack.
Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon hosts the third round of the Series on 6-7 December 2025, before the summer break. The highlight of the round will be the return of the Dan Higgins Trophy 18-lap race.
The NIFF organising committee acknowledge the support of major sponsor the Giltrap Group, along with the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy cash prize for fastest qualifier at each round.
Yokohama is continuing its backing of the Series, along with NAPA’s support through its Driver of the Day award.
Overall Points after 2/5 rounds:
- Jack Groenewald 383
- Oliver Sentch 308
- Shane Drake 307
- James Collie 249
- Toby McCormack 248
- Dylan Grant 227
- Campbell Owens 225
- William Beck 203
- Braxton Kraayvanger 129
- Maxim Kirwan 67
- Kim Crocker 0
Race 1 Results:
- Campbell Owens, Ray GR21
- Jack Groenewald, Mygale SJ07A
- Toby McCormack, Spectrum 010
- Ollie Sentch, Van Diemen Stealth
- Shane Drake, Van Diemen RF92
- Tony Graham, Van Diemen RF85
- James Collie, Van Diemen RF91
- Kim Crocker, Van Diemen RF01
- Maxim Kirwan, Spectrum 015
- William Beck, Spectrum 010
Race 2 Results:
- Campbell Owens, Ray GR21
- Maxim Kirwan, Spectrum 015
- Jack Groenewald, Mygale SJ07A
- Toby McCormack, Spectrum 010
- Ollie Sentch, Van Diemen Stealth
- Shane Drake, Van Diemen RF92
- Tony Graham, Van Diemen RF85
- James Collie, Van Diemen RF91
- William Beck, Spectrum 010
Race 3 Results:
- Campbell Owens, Ray GR21
- Jack Groenewald, Mygale SJ07A
- Shane Drake, Van Diemen RF92
- Ollie Sentch, Van Diemen Stealth
- William Beck, Spectrum 010
- Tony Graham, Van Diemen RF85
- James Collie, Van Diemen RF91
- Maxim Kirwan, Spectrum 015
- Toby McCormack, Spectrum 010
Header Image: Matt Smith Photography
