Ex-New Zealand Formula Ford (2020/21) champion James Penrose is set to join the grid for the third round of the 2024/25 Yokohama South Island Formula Ford Championship in Invercargill this weekend. Penrose, who also won the 2020/21 South Island Formula Ford Championship will drive the ex-Dylan Petch Ray GR20 and is expected to be in the mix for wins and podiums.
Current series leader, Christchurch’s Will Neale, heads to the third round with a 149-point lead over nearest rival, Izaak Fletcher.
Teretonga Park hosts the two-day meeting, the halfway point in the five-round series. Also, in the mix this weekend will be third placed Dylan Grant (Van Diemen RF03), Dylan Petch (Van Diemen RF93), Jake Bryant (Van Diemen RF94).
“It’s going to be close,” commented Neale (Van Diemen RF94). “Both the Dylan’s (Grant and Petch) are fired up and seriously motivated, so they are going to be hard to beat.”
Key to being successful at this circuit is car speed and a good qualifying lap, which may be where Neale will be vulnerable. Saturday morning sees qualifying take place with the Hampton Downs NZ Driving Academy $500 cash prize for fastest driver.
“We are just a little bit down on power and it can be those fine margins that make the difference,” said Neale. “It is a really flowing track so it’s important to keep the speed up, as well as being confident, having a good set up and a comfortable car through the fast sections.”
The qualifying award is part of the $60,000 Formula Ford prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel and testing opportunities with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ. NAPA Auto Parts will again offer prizes for both Driver of the Day and Rookie of the Year and Yokohama return as the tyre of choice for Formula Ford Racing in NZ.
Both Petch and Grant will be looking for wins after clashing at the last round in Christchurch.
“We are pretty confident going to Teretonga,” said Petch. “Timaru (Round 1) was shocking, and we were so much out of the window. Credit to Andy Neale (Will’s father) who helped dial the car in for Ruapuna (Round 2) which has made a real difference.
“We had a lot of pace in Christchurch so confident heading south. Teretonga is a circuit where it’s really important to get through the loop section real quick and exit out of the last corner onto the straight quickly and get the power down. This gives you half-a-chance to either attack or defend”
The South Island Formula Ford Club acknowledge the support from Team Hutchinson Ford. Available across the Formula Ford season is a $60,000 Formula Ford prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel and testing opportunities with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ. NAPA Auto Parts has prizes for both Driver of the Day and Rookie of the Year while Yokohama return as the tyre of choice for Formula Ford Racing in NZ.
While the top five are competing for podiums, the rivalry in the mid-pack for an overall top five is increasing. Jacob Begg (Mygale SJ08A), Ryan Denize (Mygale SJ08A), Jacob Cunniffe (Mygale SJ12) and Cameron Freeman (Van Dieman RF92) have been in a constant battle over the eight races so far this season. Joining them and returning to the grid is the experienced Robert Toshach (Swift FB89).
This summer sees a collaboration between Rodin Cars and MotorSport NZ to create a new pathway to Formula 1 with the NZFF champion and selected Formula Ford drivers invited to an all-expenses-paid, three-day testing and evaluation program with Rodin Cars in New Zealand. From there a driver who exhibits exceptional talent has the possibility to test with Rodin Motorsport in the UK with the possibility of securing a seat in one of Rodin’s F4 teams.
Header Image: Euan Cameron
