ParcFerme.Com

CAMS Rising Star Daniel Erickson recorded the fastest time at the opening round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship at Eastern Creek Raceway (Sydney) today.

Setting a best lap time of 1:35.54 in his Spectrum, Erickson was closely shadowed by Anglo Australian Motorsports' Robert Storey with a 1:36.06 best as a contingent of 22 drivers took to the track for the first time in 2008.

Racing at his favourite track, Erickson had some issues with his car in the first session, but the team worked hard to get the set up right for the second practice run.

"We had a bit of trouble in the first practice session with too much oversteer. I struggled with the back of the car slipping out on the exit of turns. We worked with the engineers to get it to come together and it was good for the second session."

Storey, also at his favourite track, raced his Comtec Spirit without incident, praising the work of his team.

"The car feels great; the guys have done a good job of preparing the car. Everything's going well, we're really happy. I went out today knowing this was a big campaign for us and so far so good," Robert Storey said.

The first session of the day progressed without incident, securing Synergy Motorsports' Paul Laskazeski a lap time of 1:36.22 and third fastest for the day.

Jake Chapman's Spectrum found the gravel trap out of turn eight in the second session, prompting a red flag, with most competitors concerned about getting laps on the board.

"I was a little bit concerned that I wasn't going to get back on the track," Daniel Erickson said, "But I managed to get out there and get two laps in at the end."

Despite his gravel incident, Chapman managed fourth fastest in both sessions, securing him fifth overall for the day - but he was questioning what had gone wrong after turn eight.

"I was really trying to push the car and test its limits - I think I found it," Jake Chapman said.

Youngster Chaz Mostert, just one month shy of the 16 year-old minimum CAMS race age limit, was the youngest driver to ever have competed in the Series today at Eastern Creek.

The team at Howard Racing were given the all-clear for Mostert to take the starting grid in his Spectrum resulting in position 20 for both sessions.

Top five practice times

1.         Daniel Erickson             1:35.5451

2.         Robert Storey               1:36.0608

3.         Paul Laskazeski            1:36.2221

4.         Nick Percat                   1:36.2487

5.         Jake Chapman              1:36.5682

Schedule:

Saturday 8 March

11:00-11:20am   Qualifying

3:00-3:20pm      Race one

Sunday 9 March

9:10-9:30am      Race two

1:25- 1:45pm     Race three