Dylan Grant heads into the seventh and final round of the 2022/23 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) with a slim 35-point lead ahead of Blake Dowdall with Mason Potter slotting into third just two-points further back.
Manfeild Park Chris Amon in Feilding hosts the title fight this weekend which is likely to be decided between these three drivers, with double-points on the line for the final feature race and a maximum of 302-points on offer.
Grant (Van Diemen RF03) has 11 podiums over 20 races including four race wins while Potter (Spectrum 015) has just four podiums but has consistently collected points since the beginning of the season last September. He will also be looking for his first win of the season. Dowdall (Spectrum 015) has one win and seven other podiums over the season and could prove to be Grant’s biggest threat.
“Manfeild played the opening round of the Series last September which produced some incredible Formula Ford racing with up to five cars battling for the lead and this weekend shouldn’t disappoint,” commented NIFF Chairman Shane Drake.
“It’s a fitting end to our seven round, seven month series to start and finish in the Manawatu after a lengthy layoff. We now have a good competitor base here as well so it’s exciting to come back.”
Fifth placed Sebastian Manson (Spectrum 015) is poised to break into the top three. Manson has improved over the season and stood on the podium in all five races at the penultimate round in Taupo and recently finished fourth overall in the national championship. Unfortunately, a non-scoring fourth round at Taupo in November put a real dent in his North Island title campaign.
Zac Blincoe (Mygale SJ07) has shown great pace on his return after his massive accident at the Supercars round at Pukekohe last year scoring two fourth-places at Taupo in February. Local Judd Christiansen has just had a top end refresh to give his older class 2 Van Diemen Stealth some much welcomed power.
Returning to the category is Nick Buxeda and Grant Campbell in Class 1 Van Diemens along with Kim Crocker in a Ray GR14.
There are two-points available for the fastest qualifier plus a $500 cash prize for pole position provided by the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy. The award is part of the increased $66,000 prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel and testing opportunities with Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ.
The Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series is also supported by Yokohama, the Tony Quinn Foundation and NAPA Auto Parts who sponsor the ‘Driver of the Day’ with a $200 plus GST trade voucher.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder | Words: Supplied
