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Martin Leads The Way As Mygale Makes Their Mark |
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Sunday, 13 August 2006 |
CAMS Rising Star driver John Martin claimed victory in round four of the Australian Formula Ford Championship and reclaimed the series lead as Mygale made their mark on return to the category with a race win and second overall.
Race two saw John Martin and Dale Wood have an even start off the line but Martin held his line into turn one to take the lead ahead of Wood's Mygale SJ06.
In a commanding performance, Martin in his CAMS Rising Star Spectrum 011 cleared out in to hold a comfortable gap on his nearest rivals, while still having to push his car to the limit.
Wood likewise cleared out on those behind him as a race long battle developed for third between Tim Slade, Ashley Walsh and Joel Spychala.
With the front two in clear air, the major focus was on third position with the three drivers pushing each other and testing their own skills and limits.
VIP Petfoods driver Walsh made a huge attempt around the outside of Slade at the end of pit straight mid race and held third through turns one and two however Slade held his nerve and held his third position through turn three.
Slade in the Sonic Van Diemen RF04 held off Walsh although Spychala in the Mid Coast Ford Spirit had other ideas who found a way around Walsh and proceeded to try and pressure Slade, who in third had pulled a slight gap on the two battling each other for what was now fourth.
With the top three settled, Spychala and Walsh battled it out through to the finish line, Spychala taking fourth ahead of Walsh in fifth.
Nathan Caratti finished sixth in a race where he was on his own for much of the time, while Joshua Scott and Grant Doulman both fought back from the rear of the grid to take seventh and eighth respectively.
Another battle further back in the field Saw Samantha Reid claim a strong ninth less than 0.2 seconds ahead of James Bergmuller.
But Martin up front showed his class and claimed his second race win of the weekend ahead of Wood and Slade.
In race three it was again Martin who took the lead from Wood in a carbon copy start of race two.
Slade slotted in to third in front of Joel Spychala.
Behind them, Walsh, Scott, Caratti and Doulman battled for position and Tim Blanchard, further back than normal, battled with James Bergmuller and Samantha Reid.
Walsh showed strong pace and moved up on Spychala to take fourth and the top five pulled a small margin on the rest of the field.
Continuing his charge, Walsh found his way past Slade mid-race, who had up till this point had a relatively smooth run.
Scott also moved his way up the leader board passing Spychala as Wood closed in on Martin up the front and Brad Lowe found a way past Todd Fiore who was having a disappointing round.
Walsh's run came to an end when he had to retire with only a handful of laps remaining, and Dale Wood continued to pressure Martin for the lead.
With light fading, the field pushed themselves to the limits and Martin succumbed, spinning on the final turn and surrendering the lead to Wood in the Mygale.
Recovering from the spin Martin resumed in fourth place behind Wood, Slade and Scott to finish fourth.
Wood claimed his first race victory in the national series and made it a memorable return to national racing for the Mygale chassis.
"That is an awesome feeling, we never expected to go this well but we'll certainly take it.it was a great race against John at the end there and this has helped put our season back on track," a delighted Dale Wood said.
Mygale car owner and chassis importer, Greg Woodrow found it difficult to contain his excitement.
"We're absolutely thrilled, I can't believe it. I couldn't have asked for a better comeback for the Mygale chassis," an excited Greg Woodrow said
"We honestly thought a top five would be a great result, but Dale did a great job and really showed the talent he has
Martin, while unhappy about spinning in the final race was happy to have the round win.
"I'm pretty angry with myself about the spin at the end of that last race (race three) but we came away with the win and championship lead again so it is a good send off for England tomorrow," John Martin said, who heads to England to compete in selected round of the British Formula Ford series.
"The car was solid all weekend and the Spectrum was excellent again so I'm looking forward to England and continuing this winning form before heading back home for the Sandown round."
Round five of the Australian Formula Ford Championship is at Sandown Raceway, 1-3 September.
Round Four results and points
| Pos |
Car |
Entrant |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
Total |
| 1 |
24 |
John Martin, Spectrum 011 |
20 |
21 |
13 |
54 |
| 2 |
46 |
Dale Wood, Mygale SJ06 |
16 |
16 |
20 |
52 |
| 3 |
3 |
Tim Slade, Van Diemen RF04 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
42 |
| 4 |
11 |
Joel Spychala, Spirit WL06 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
36 |
| 5 |
32 |
Nathan Caratti, Van Diemen RF04 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
24 |
| 6 |
89 |
Joshua Scott, Spectrum 011 |
0 |
6 |
14 |
20 |
| 7 |
45 |
Ashley Walsh, Van Diemen RF06 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
20 |
| 8 |
41 |
Brad Lowe, Spectrum 011 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
| 9 |
4 |
Todd Fiore, Van Diemen RF04 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
| 10 |
15 |
Grant Doulman, Spirit WL06 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 January 2007 )
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