Chloe Chambers becomes first female Toyota Formula Regional winner

Chloe Chambers will go down in history as the first female race winner in the Toyota Formula Regional Championship after a stunning display saw her pull well clear of the field at Taupo today.

Whilst the reverse top eight grid from yesterday’s results definitely helped the American claim victory, Chambers was immense up front, holding off a spirited Kaleb Ngatoa charge before pulling clear to take honours by 1.5 seconds.

Ngatoa threw everything he could at the eventual winner, unable to make a move stick despite looking likely at points. He finished second with Charlie Wurz a distant third, 10 seconds down the road.

Old tyres didn’t help the Austrian’s efforts but he too showed great defence and consistency to hold Ryan Shehan at bay for the majority of proceedings.

Third sees Wurz return to the top of the standings ahead of this afternoon’s final race in which he starts on pole.

There was heartbreak for Shehan on the final lap after a charging Josh Mason made contact and sent him spinning, putting him at the back of the pack.

Van Hoepen pounced at the opportunity to take fourth whilst Mason provisionally finishes fifth, a potential post-race investigation looming over the Brit.

Liam Sceats was quick for sixth whilst former championship leader Callum Hedge was left seventh after a difficult start mid-pack.

Should Mason receive a penalty for his role in the last lap crash he’ll likely be relegated down the order, tightening the gap between Wurz and Hedge heading into this afternoon’s final race of the season.

The championship is set up for a thrilling finale as drizzle begins to fall in Taupo, 14 races this season seeing the championship leaders separated by just a few points heading into the final run.

Race 3, the championship decider, begins at 4.04pm.

Race Report

Chambers earlier made history as the first female racer to start on the front row of the grid but was in good company with race-winner Mason keeping her company.

Just behind the pair was Wurz who was seeking to overturn a three point deficit to series’ leader Hedge who was two rows back in eighth after taking yesterday’s sole race win.

Between the two title contenders were the ever-quick trio of Foster, Ngatoa van Hoepen with Sceats also looking to continue his great day after qualifying second for this afternoon’s feature.

Hedge needed a good start to keep up with his rival, unfortunately not to be as he was fell into a tight midfield battle with Foster behind and Sceats ahead.

Ngatoa was the best of the starters as Chambers also got away well off pole, the Kiwi immediately pressuring the American through early proceedings.

The end of the first lap saw Chambers leading over Ngatoa with Wurz sitting third, Shehan, Mason, van Hoepen, Sceats and Hedge rounding out the top eight respectively.

The front two pulled away from Wurz who was lacking in race pace with older tyres, Shehan and Mason all over the back of the Austrian over the early laps.

Clear air was working wonders for Chambers, the American given an opportunity to show her true pace without a bunched field ahead, setting the fastest lap of early running.

Six laps in and the leaders had bolted, some 45 seconds the gap between first and third, Chambers now 1.1 seconds to the better of Ngatoa.

The New Zealander slowly went about reducing that gap pulling to half a second with 8 laps to go.

Wurz kept doing well to hold third as high levels of graining became apparent with Shehan all over the back of him. Mason also joined the party to make for a thrilling final three laps, positions three through eight line-astern.

Chambers had pulled a gap on Ngatoa from here, 2 seconds to the good beginning the penultimate lap.

Drops of rain also threatened towards the end but not enough to influence the race.

The race was never in doubt for Chambers, the American cruising to victory with Ngatoa with Wurz rounding out the podium.

Fourth wasn’t to be for Shehan, Mason attempting a pass on the final corners and spinning the American who was unlucky to miss out after a solid race.

Van Hoepen pounced on the opportunity to take third ahead of Mason with Sceats, Hedge and Foster rounding out the top eight.

Results at this point are provisional and may see Mason investigated for his role in the last lap incident.

Header Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing