Chris Symon made it an incredible 12 wins on the trot in New Zealand Formula First over the weekend, powering to three further victories as the class supported the New Zealand Grand Prix at Hampton Downs.
The school principal by trade didn’t have it all his way, however, pushed by a determined field of youth and experience alike.
Brody McConkey was the first to heap the pressure on, a pole-setting 1min 58.862sec in qualifying making a statement that the series’ leader would have to work for his spoils.
Jenson Bate narrowly missed out on top spot himself, a gap of just .013 seconds relegating him to second on the grid. Liam Foster rounded out the top three in qualifying, Symon forced to fourth on the grid.
Normality was soon restored in Race 1, however, Symon taking the spoils despite his lead being threatened by Liam Nicholson following a mid-race Safety Car.
For Nicholson it was equally an impressive drive off sixth on the grid, the youngster emerging ahead of a late battle between himself, Foster and Nicholson to take second spot by just .07 of a second.
Foster rounded out the podium with McConkey unlucky to miss out with a hard-fought fourth. Jensen Foster rounded out the top five with top rookie Harry Scott behind in sixth.
Ron Carter was the first Masters Championship car home in 12th overall.
Race 2 was a much tighter affair with McConkey, Nicholson and Jenson Bate all heaping pressure on Symon, the #1 relying on all his experience to take spoils.
Just .750 of a second separated the top three with McConkey getting second place and Nicholson third. Jenson Bate was unlucky to miss the podium with fourth whilst Scott’s great round as top rookie continued with fifth.
Carter was once again the top Master, improving to 10th overall.
War had been waged on Symon by McConkey, the latter showing phenomenal speed and improvement to heap the pressure on in Race 3. It wasn’t to be, however, a draft to the line not quite enough to prevent Symon from making it 12 from 12, McConkey left to finish second once again.
The battle for third was just as tight, Foster and Scott locked in their own battle with the rookie getting the best of his rival to take his first podium of the weekend, leaving Foster to finish fourth and Jenson Bate in fifth.
There was a return to form for Bob Dillow in the Masters Championship, the veteran finally getting the better of Carter to return to the top step.
New Zealand Formula First will be back in action again this weekend in a massive meet at Taupo International Motorsport Park where Symon will have the opportunity to make it 15 in a row, albeit with a charging field hot on his heels.
