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Australia's next generation of motorsport talent make their way to Adelaide this week to begin their 2007 quest for glory at the Australian Formula Ford Championship series opener at South Australia' s Clipsal 500.
Twenty-five of Australia's most determined youngsters will fight it out on the streets of Adelaide in the hope of kick starting their 2007 series in front of thousands, with fans expected to flock to the track for the season opener.
The home crowd will have a host of local entries to cheer home in the Formula Ford category throughout the weekend, with six drivers hailing from South Australia.
After compiling many top ten finishes in 2006, local girl Samantha Reid will once again take part in the Australian Formula Ford Championship as the only female in the field and is expecting some good performances in her Van Diemen RF03 in 2007.
"We definitely expect to move further up the field this year; we have refreshed the car and re-built it in the last couple of weeks and given it a new colour scheme," said Reid.
"I am confident of a very good showing at Clipsal, given that it's a track you can't test on and the fact I have some experience and knowledge of the circuit I think it holds me in good stead."
Making their Australian Formula Ford Championship debut in front of a home crowd will be Cee- Line Motorsport driver Trent Ulmer, eighteen year old Paul Pittam who will drive for Team BRM, Yudi Doyle, and twenty year old Asher Johnston.
Johnston will support the UK-based Teenage Cancer Trust after meeting relatives of cancer survivor and British racing driver Joe Twyman on a recent trip to Europe.
Asher will sport a Teenage Cancer Trust band across the top of his Visor as he pilots his #18 AJR / G-Force Mygale SJ07 around the demanding Clipsal 500 Circuit in the Adelaide.
"It was great to go to Europe and meet the guys who were making my new car, but finding out about the Teenage Cancer Trust and what Joe Twyman had achieved was the real highlight," Johnston said.
"I can't wait to proudly wear the visor strip on my helmet when I make my first real attempt at the Australian Formula Ford Championship, at my home event."
Youngster Nick Percat has recently moved to Melbourne and will make the trip back to Adelaide for the opening race of the series where he raced last year in an Aussie Racing Car.
"I've only been living in Melbourne for four weeks, so it will be good to get back to Adelaide," said Percat.
"The Adelaide track can be quite challenging if you don't have your car set up correctly, but having raced their previously I am confident we can get things right."
A demanding street circuit, the Clipsal 500 track will test the young Formula Ford field of twenty-five, the largest assembled since the inception of the Ford Fiesta 1600cc engine last year.
The stage is set for a terrific season opener as the next generation of future stars attempt to start the year on the front foot and set up a winning culture for the season ahead.
Race Three of the opening round on Sunday 4 March will be telecast live with the V8 telecast on Network Seven, check local guides for telecast times.
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