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James Moffat has topped the timing sheets at this morning's Australian Formula Ford Championship practice session at Phillip Island, posting a 1:38.8912 in the day's one and only track session for the category.
"It's
early days and while it's nice to be fast it really doesn't mean a
whole lot until things get underway at qualifying tomorrow," said a
realistic Moffat.
"The
aim tomorrow is to get back third position in the Championship which I
lost last week and make sure I can put some pressure on the leaders,
you never know in motor racing even second position in the championship
isn't out of the question for me."
CAMS
Rising Star Ashley Walsh, currently running second in the Championship
wasn't far behind Moffat with a 1:38.9384, an encouraging sign early on
in the round if he is to mount a title challenge on current
Championship leader and Moffat's teammate Tim Blanchard.
Symmons
Plains round winner and CAMS Rising Star Kristian Lindbom was third
quickest with Sonic Motorsport's Glen Wood in fourth and Tim Blanchard
rounding out the top five.
Making
his national debut this weekend is Victorian youngster Trent Harrison,
impressive in this morning's session setting the sixth fastest lap in
the brand new Mygale 08 chassis.
Harrison will compete a full season in next years national category.
Tim
Blanchard currently holds a 28 point lead in the 2007 Championship and
while he is in the box seat to secure the title, he is taking nothing
for granted this weekend in the hope of going one better than his
father in the Formula Ford ranks.
Blanchard's
father John is a former Australian Formula Ford runner-up and if things
can stay on track for Tim he is set to go one better before embarking
on a British Formula Ford journey in 2008.
Blanchard
junior will have short lived celebrations this week if he manages to
secure an Australian Championship; he is set to fly out to England on Wednesday to test with British Formula Ford team Jamun Racing with a deal all but done to race with the team next year.
"It's fantastic to begin the next phase of my career with such a respected team in England, they have won the last three championships over there so I am looking forward to the challenge," said Blanchard.
"I'll
meet the team and test with them next week, and provided things go well
I should have signed on the dotted line by the end of the week."
The final round of the Australian Championship continues at the Phillip Island circuit tomorrow with qualifying before race one scheduled to be televised on Network Seven, check local guides for details.
Practice session top six:
1. James Moffat 1:38.8912
2. Ash Walsh 1:38.9384
3. Kristian Lindbom 1:38.9828
4. Glen Wood 1:39.1112
5. Tim Blanchard 1:39.2756
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