• Latest
  • Trending

James Penrose wins NZ Formula Ford title

May 1, 2021

Respect and Rivalry: Zilisch vs. Van Gisbergen on NASCAR’s road courses

July 18, 2025

Cassidy backs Lawson: “People in motorsport have short memories”

July 18, 2025

Douglas heads to Toronto for penultimate round of USF Pro 2000 season

July 18, 2025
#88: Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing, Red Bull Chevrolet

Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

July 18, 2025

Ben Stewart impresses in debut Australian Toyota GR Cup weekend at Townsville

July 17, 2025

McElrea denied podium in rollercoaster IMSA race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

July 17, 2025

Liam Lawson beats WRC Champions in impressive rally debut at Goodwood

July 16, 2025

Bamber back on the podium as Toyota endures tough São Paulo return

July 15, 2025
#88: Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing, Red Bull Chevrolet

“Nobody Can Run With Him”: Denny Hamlin and Co. hail SVG’s road course dominance after Sonoma victory

July 15, 2025

Consistent Hedge claims third-straight P6 at Iowa Speedway

July 15, 2025

Chaos and heartbreak for Kiwis in Porsche Sprint Challenge in Townsville

July 15, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025
VelocityNews
Subscribe
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

James Penrose wins NZ Formula Ford title

by Zane Shackleton
May 1, 2021
in Formula Ford, New Zealand, News
0

James Penrose is the 2021 ITM New Zealand Formula Ford champion, bringing the curtain down on an enthralling season in Christchurch.

Penrose won all three races over the day, overtaking season-long rival Matthew McCutcheon in the standings to claim the spoils.

McCutcheon battled hard and hung on to round off his rookie year second in the standings.

Another rookie, Kyan Davie, finished third in the championship.

Penrose entered the season finale trailing McCutcheon on points. However, he had a home track advantage, whereas his Auckland contender had never raced on the Ruapuna circuit before.

In qualifying, Penrose overcame tricky, damp conditions to put himself on pole position. But instead of McCutcheon joining him on the front row, Zac Christensen executed a mighty lap to place himself second.

McCutcheon could only manage ninth among a 30-strong field.

With his rival buried amongst the midfield, Penrose claimed a lights-to-flag perfection to move into the provisional championship lead.

Two safety car periods slowed McCutcheon’s progress, yet he still managed to crawl back to finish fifth.

Christensen hung on to second while Blake Evans walked away with a podium finish.

On his return to Formula Ford, Ronan Murphy was a commendable fourth.

Courtesy of setting the fastest lap in race one, McCutcheon started race two from pole position.

However, a fast-starting Penrose got the better jump off the start and never let his challenger back past for the rest of the race.

The pair battled hard and fair, with the margin across the line a measly 0.3s.

Penrose’s championship lead was extended slightly further, though the day’s final race would ultimately determine the year’s champion.

In a repeat of race two, Penrose got the best launch and headed McCutcheon into turn one.

The duo pushed each other, but there would be no swap of position, and Penrose ended the day with a hat trick of victories.

“I just can’t explain the feeling,” Penrose said of winning the title.

“It’s been such a good season with Matty, one of the hardest racers I have competed against.

“I was just so happy when I crossed that line and just so thankful for the work my father and the sponsors have put in over the season.”

While disappointed to miss out on the championship, McCutcheon was still in high spirits.

“I was trying to give it a go right to the last lap,” he said. “James has done a good job here today.

“I’ve learnt so much this season and can’t thank the team enough.”

As well as winning the NZ Formula Ford title, Penrose also won the NZ Festival feature race.

As part of his prize package, Penrose will head to the UK to drive in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, and receives a test in a British Formula 4 car with Carlin.

Images: NZ Formula Ford

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.