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[Australian Formula 3] Johnston Learns The Formula Ford Ropes At Sandown |
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Tuesday, 25 April 2006 |
JOHNSTON LEARNS THE FORMULA FORD ROPES AT SANDOWN
Promising South Australian driving talent Asher Johnston has impressed in a successful Victorian Formula Ford 1600 Championship debut at Sandown Raceway last weekend.
After months of pre-season preparation and testing, the defending Victorian Formula Vee series’ champion was able to post consistently competitive results in the three races contested throughout a weekend interrupted with changeable weather conditions.
The weekend started with unofficial testing on Friday, wet weather conditions giving Johnston a chance to experience the tricky Sandown circuit in conditions expected throughout the race weekend.
Despite niggling mechanical problems, Johnston was able to complete plenty of laps throughout the test day in both wet and dry conditions and logged a 1m21-second lap as his testing best.
Saturday qualifying proved a difficult session, Johnston ending the session 8th with a best lap of 1m21.0051 despite being knocked out of the session at the first corner by another competitor.
After completing significant repairs to the car following the session, the Asher Johnston Racing crew was able to get the car back on track just in time for the final race, Johnston rewarding the crew with 7th place in the 11 lap race despite a slipping clutch.
After a late night spent repairing the car, a short 6 lapper held in damp, then wet conditions tested all on Sunday morning.
After starting 7th, Johnston had a major battle with fellow Mygale driver Glen Wood - the dicing pair slowing each other down and allowing two cars past into Dandenong Road corner on the final lap, Johnston eventually finishing 9th.
With the rain continuing after the race, the team elected to put a full-wet setup in Johnston’s Mygale to make the best of the conditions.
Unfortunately, the rain eased and the track dried out before the race leaving Johnston to slip back through the field with the wrong setup and eventually score 11th.
The result leaves Johnston unofficially 9th in the championship after the first of six scheduled rounds.
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