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Walsh Storms To Race Win Blanchard Takes Round Honours |
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Sunday, 04 March 2007 |
Cams Rising Star Ashley Walsh stormed to a race three victory this morning, coming from fifth on the grid to win the final race, smashing the lap record in the process.
Walsh quickly moved from fifth to third with swift moves on Glen Wood and fellow CAMS Rising Star Kristian Lindbom as he set a lap record with a 1:27.2152, taking half a second off the mark set by Tim Slade in last year's championship.
Walsh then set out on finding a way passed Sonic team mates Tim Blanchard and James Moffat, with Moffat in the lead having jumped Blanchard off the line to steal front position.
Walsh scorched around the Adelaide circuit, again smashing the record
he set in the previous lap posting a 1:26.6084, resulting in more than
a second being slashed off Tim Slade's previous lap record.
Walsh moved passed Blanchard on the final lap and then Moffat on the
final corner to steal the win and show the new wheel sizes will have an
impact on lap times this season.
"It was a great way to recover after crashing in qualifying and in race one as well," said CAMS Rising Star Ashley Walsh.
"I wasn't aware we were on the final lap, so I am glad I made my move
when I did, the car feels great but we should be able to improve it
further."
"It was pleasing to set a new lap record, the bigger wheels this year definitely made the difference."
Tim Blanchard held on for third position to seal the round win in his
Mygale SJ07, his first ever in a weekend that saw him quickest in
practice and qualifying allowing him to post his first win and come
away with his maiden round victory.
"Obviously it is always a racing drivers objective to win, but I was
happy to consolidate my brilliant start to the weekend and gain enough
points in race three to come away with a round victory," explained
Blanchard.
"It was a little confusing though, when we rounded the final turn there
were still three laps on the board and the chequered flag came out so I
was unsure of what was going on."
The case for driver and team radio communication may well come into
play in future seasons, with Blanchard's team mate at Sonic, James
Moffat, also having the same confusion on the final lap completely
oblivious to the chequered flag situation.
"I had no idea it was the final lap so it's disappointing to lose front
position and not have a chance to reclaim it, said Moffat
However, I am second for the round overall so I am very happy with
that, and very happy with the speed of the new Mygale chassis we are
running" said Moffat.
Hoping to secure some sponsorship to be able to compete in the
remainder of the season, Moffat has done himself no harm finishing in
the top three in all three races at his first Australian Formula Ford
event.
CAMS Rising Star Kristian Lindbom was fourth in the round's final race, enough to secure him third overall in the opening round.
"My aim coming to Clipsal was to stay out of trouble and begin the year
well, I have done that and I've set myself up with some good results,"
explained Lindbom.
The final race wasn't without incident with the safety car needed on
the opening lap after Luke Wood found himself stranded on the racing
line after spinning out of control, leaving team BRM's Paul Pittam with
no where to go.
Pittam's Van Diemen RF06 cannoned into Woods' Spirit WL06, resulting in
some extensive damage to both vehicles and leaving Pittam unsure of
whether to fix his Van Diemen or start afresh with a new car.
"I'll have to assess the situation more closely but I'm unsure if we
will make it to round two at Perth, and at the moment it's looking like
it might be cheaper to start again with a new car than fix the damage,'
said Pittam.
Taz Douglas was also unfortunate, tangling with Glen Wood on the final lap after starting from eighth and moving to sixth.
Douglas had his Caterpillar Mygale turned around and was unable to finish.
The series moves to Barbagallo, Perth for round two.
Outright Round Results and Championship Points
1. Tim Blanchard Cooldrive Distribution/ Jayair 55 points
2. James Moffat Sonic Motor Racing Services 46
3. Kristian Lindbom CAMS Rising Star 38
4. Ashley Walsh CAMS Rising Star 30
5. Grant Doulman Doulman Automotive 20
6. Glen Wood Sonic Motor Racing Services 20
7. Brad Lowe Anglo Motorsport/ Lowe Earthmoving 16
8. Nick Percat Tom Walkinshaw Racing 16
9. Joshua Scott Cams Rising Star 12
10. Anglo Motorsport Luke Wood 10
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