Lights-to-flag victory for Hedge in Formula Regional opener

Callum Hedge has won the opening race of the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship with a lights-to-flag victory in a display of complete dominance.

Hedge rarely looked challenged in his victory, his fears of a bad start off pole dumbfounded as he launched clear to early build a gap of over two seconds which he maintained.

Austrian driver Charlie Wurz also announced himself as a key contender to finish second whilst American David Morales overcame a poor start to round out the podium.

Liam Sceats was the second best Kiwi in fifth whilst James Penrose was ninth and Breanna Morris in 12th.

Before the race had even began there was drama, Lucas Fecury accidentally setting his fire extinguisher off in pit lane which is where he started as a result.

Australian Tom McClennan also started from the lane after he was unable to change gear and coming to a halt on the formation lap. This caused a second formation lap to be run whilst Kiwi Motorsport did well to resolve the issue and get their driver to the start.

Once things finally got underway it was Hedge who got away well from the grid, Wurz also with a great launch to pip the slower-launching Morales off to take second.

The order established itself following the first lap of running, Hedge built a gap at the front over Wurz with Morales pressured by Josh Mason and Liam Sceats.

As the lead continued to grow small battle packs formed throughout the pack, Jacob Abel and Ryan Shehan locked in fight for sixth place.

Penrose had also started well to sit ninth and hold off all the W Series experience of Chloe Chambers who was in-turn closely followed by Morris.

Through the race mid-stages Hedge maintained his lead at just over two seconds whilst Wurz came under increasing amounts of pressure from Morales.

The lead three had pulled away somewhat from the field, ultimately determining early who would be on the podium but not in what place.

The battle between Shehan and Abel heated up with some fierce racing which lasted half a lap, the two exchanging places multiple times with Ryder Quinn in close proximity waiting to pounce.

Once Shehan got through he attempted to start building over his two followers but ran wide at the loop and into the outside wall, damaging his suspension and removing him from contention.

A Safety Car was to follow with all gaps in the field evaporated, however the accident meant racing wasn’t resumed and giving Hedge his victory.

The Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship returns for a qualifying session (10am) and two races tomorrow (1.05pm & 4pm).

Header Image: Mark Petch

For a full Super Sprint Motorsport New Zealand Championship schedule click here.