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Locals Look To Shine As Formula Ford Heads To Mallala |
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Wednesday, 13 September 2006 |
| Attachment 17058 |
| Currently second in the Championship, Tim Slade will be looking for a win at his home circuit |
The Australian Formula Ford Championship heads to Mallala, South Australia for round six of the series with everyone out to catch championship leader John Martin.
One person who many locals will be cheering on is Adelaide raised Tim Slade, currently second in the championship.
Driving with the Melbourne based Sonic Motor Racing Services team in a Van Diemen RF04, Slade made the move to Melbourne mid-2005 to maximise his chances in this year's series and work directly for Sonic.
"I grew up in Adelaide since I was three and Mallala will be a big round as a lot of family and friends will be there.I still see it as my home round so I'd love t win it," Tim Slade said who tested a V8 Supercar last week at Winton.
"Last week I did a number of laps in Tony Evangelou's Dexion V8 Supercar and that was a great experience.Glenn Seton was also there in his role for Dexion and it was great to get a lot of advice from him about driving a V8.
"Glenn has given a lot of us support this year as our official mentor in Formula Ford so it was great to have him there to provide help in my first V8 Supercar test."
| Attachment 17059 |
| Local girl Samantha Reid in action in this year's Australian Formula Ford Championship |
The Mallala round is also the home round for Samantha Reid, the only female driver in the series and also the one female to be selected in the CAMS Women's Driver Development Program for the last three years running.
As the only female in what is widely regarded as the county's premier development category, Reid is aiming to become the first woman to win the national title.
"This year has all been about learning the tracks, working out the best race set-ups and gaining the experience needed to have a real shot at the title next year," the privateer entrant Samantha Reid said.
"We have had some strong results this year and Mallala is probably the track I am most comfortable with and have raced at the most so we'll definitely be looking for a strong result this weekend."
Making a welcome return to the national category is local entrants Team BRM who will field two cars for the Magro brothers, John and Kain.
Team BRM Formula Ford Manager Mark Rundle said that the team had no expectations heading into the round with such a competitive field.
"We're pleased to be able to return to the Australian Formula Ford Championship for our 'other' home round, at Mallala," Mark Rundle said.
"We have done some miles there and have a lot of setup and data information from the circuit which should help John and Kain come to grips with the National competition as quickly as possible.
"We don't have too many expectations for the weekend - it will really just be a case of our drivers gaining experience at the top level in what is going to be a very competitive field."
However, up the front John Martin in the CAMS Rising Star Spectrum 011 will be keen to extend his championship lead.
"You can't afford to have one bad race, let alone a round in this championship so you just have to go out there and perform every single time and get the results," John Martin said.
"I head over to England after this round, as do a few other drivers in this weekends field, to compete in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch so I'd love to head over there with another win under my belt."
Martin will compete in the internationally acclaimed Formula Ford Festival, driving the same specially built Spectrum by Borland Racing which they sensationally won on debut at Brands Hatch in August.
Also heading to the UK is Nathan Caratti from Fastlane Racing, who will compete alongside Martin driving with the strong Team JLR in a Van Diemen RF06.
"A podium finish in the Festival is the goal and I think the pedigree of Australian talent is as good as it is anywhere so it is definitely an achievable target," Nathan Caratti said.
The two drivers will be joined by Martin's team mate Paul Laskazeski who will compete in the Formula Ford 1600 category driving another purpose built Borland Spectrum.
However, come Friday all eyes will be on Mallala for round six of the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
Will Martin will extend his lead or can Dale Wood continue his impressive recent form in the Mygale to continue his rise up the championship table (currently fifth) or will Slade make it a memorable return to Adelaide.
Also one to watch is Ashley Walsh, currently fourth in the series, in the VIP Petfoods Van Diemen RF06 whose aggressive racing and race pace always ensures he is one to watch as will Reid and Team BRM at their home circuit.
Round six of the Australian Formula Ford Championship will be held at Mallala Raceway next weekend, September 15 - 17.
2006 Australian Formula Ford Championship Schedule - Mallala
| Friday 15 September |
| 1110-1130 |
Practice 1 |
| 1340-1400 |
Practice 2 |
| Saturday 16 September |
| 1320-1340 |
Qualifying |
| Sunday 17 September |
| 0900 |
Race One - 12 Laps |
| 1120 |
Race Two - 12 Laps |
| 1400 |
Race Three - 12 Laps |
2006 Australian Formula Ford Championship Entry list
| No |
Driver |
Sponsor |
Vehicle |
Colour |
| 3 |
Tim Slade |
Sonic Motor Racing Services |
Van Diemen RF04 |
Blue/White |
| 4 |
Todd Fiore |
Russell Landscaping |
Van Diemen RF04 |
Blue/White |
| 5 |
Tim Blanchard |
Jayair/Sanden |
Van Diemen RF04 |
Blue/White |
| 11 |
Joel Spychala |
Mid Coast Ford |
Spirit WL06 |
White/Blue |
| 13 |
James Bergmuller |
JB Motorsport |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Red |
| 15 |
Grant Doulman |
Doulman Automotive |
Spirit WL06 |
Blue |
| 16 |
Sam Sewell |
VIP Petfoods/Freestone and Kumnick Solicitors |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Black/Yellow |
| 20 |
John Magro |
Team BRM |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Blue |
| 21 |
Kain Magro |
Team BRM |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Blue |
| 24 |
John Martin |
CAMS Rising Star |
Spectrum 011 |
Red/Wh/Blue |
| 32 |
Nathan Caratti |
Firepower/Fastlane Racing |
Van Diemen RF04 |
White/Blue |
| 37 |
Tony LeMessurier |
Escalate Management |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Red |
| 41 |
Brad Lowe |
Lowe Earthmoving |
Spectrum 011 |
Black |
| 42 |
Samantha Reid |
Toshiba Mobile Computers/Chicane/Oakley |
Van Diemen RF03 |
Red |
| 45 |
Ashley Walsh |
VIP Petfoods |
Van Diemen RF06 |
Black/Red |
| 46 |
Dale Wood |
Signpoint |
Mygale SJ06 |
Yellow |
| 71 |
Paul Laskazeski |
CAMS Rising Star |
Spectrum 011 |
Red/Wh/Blue |
| 89 |
Joshua Scott |
Kubota Australia |
Spectrum 011 |
Blue/Orange |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 29 December 2006 )
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