Auckland’s Marco Manson has won the 2025/26 South Island Formula Ford Championship (SIFF) title at the Super Weekend of Racing held at the Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch over the weekend.
Manson qualified on pole, winning the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy $500 cash prize, and then went on to win all four races and another $500 from Team Hutchinson Ford for the round win. Second overall was Dylan Petch, with Jake Bryant third, ahead of Izaak Fletcher.
With rival Maxim Kirwan choosing to focus on next weekend’s national title round in the North Island, this effectively handed the title to Manson heading into the finale. Undeterred, Manson set about delivering what he has done all season and led from the front.
“Pretty cool to have won it, it has been a great weekend,” said Manson.
“I’ve learnt a lot from the season and think I am a much better driver with the experience I’ve gained.”
Petch, whose usual Van Diemen race car has been sent north for the nationals, leased a Spectrum 015 from Reagan Edwards specifically to continue his fight for an overall podium placing.
“A lot of learning in this car,” said Petch.
“Every time we have been out in it, we have gone faster. At the end of the round, we have achieved what we have wanted to achieve.”
Bryant, who has come into form as the season has continued, was initially on the back foot in the opening race when an electrical issue dropped him out of contention and into retirement.
This moved Petch into second overall. While Bryant finished each of the remaining three races in second, often fighting for the lead, this wasn’t enough to close the gap to Petch. He finished 31-points behind and picked up the NAPA Driver of the Day award.
“Pretty pleased with that,” said a satisfied Bryant.
“The season started off a bit rocky, while at the end of the season, the car is on ‘fire’. We originally had some suspension problems with an ill-handling car and finally got on top of that.”
Fourth overall was Izaack Fletcher, who benefited from Bryant’s retirement in the first race, which saw him take his third podium of the season.
Also competing was Archie Dampier-Crossley. His finishing consistency moved him up into ninth overall for the season.
The South Island Formula Ford Club acknowledges the support from Team Hutchinson Ford. Available throughout the Formula Ford season are funding and support from both the Tony Quinn Foundation and the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy, while Yokohama returns as the tyre of choice for Formula Ford Racing in NZ, and the NAPA Driver of the Day Award.
Overall Points:
- Marco Manson 1548
- Dylan Petch 1083
- Jake Bryant 1052
- Izaak Fletcher 983
- Maxim Kirwan 877
- Zach Tucker 619
- Reagan Edwards 486
- Cameron Freeman 456
- Archie Dampier-Crossley 391
- Jacob Begg 384
- Toby Musico 358
- Jackson Culver 323
- Seb Eskandari 202
- Matthew Basso 166
- Dyson Freeman 108
Race Results: Race 1 (10-laps)
- Marco Manson, Spectrum 015
- Izaak Fletcher, Ray GR20
- Dylan Petch, Spectrum 015
- Archie Dampier-Crossley, Ray GR17
- Jake Bryant, Van Dieman RF94 (DNF)
Race 2 (10-laps)
- Marco Manson, Spectrum 015
- Jake Bryant, Van Dieman RF94
- Dylan Petch, Spectrum 015
- Izaak Fletcher, Ray GR20
- Archie Dampier-Crossley, Ray GR17
Race 3 (12-laps)
- Marco Manson, Spectrum 015
- Jake Bryant, Van Dieman RF94
- Dylan Petch, Spectrum 015
- Izaak Fletcher, Ray GR20
- Archie Dampier-Crossley, Ray GR17
Race 4 (12-laps)
- Marco Manson, Spectrum 015
- Jake Bryant, Van Dieman RF94
- Dylan Petch, Spectrum 015
- Izaak Fletcher, Ray GR20
- Archie Dampier-Crossley, Ray GR17
Header Image: Euan Cameron
