 Sonic Motor Racing Services driver Ryan Simpson has taken his debut victory in the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship by taking out Race 1 of Round 2 at Queensland Raceway today.
The Parramatta Smash Repairs Mygale driver, starting from pole, also set a new lap record as he battled with Chaz Mostert and teammate Geoff Uhrhane.
The race featured battles throughout the field over the entire race distance, but it was Simpson who held the upper hand when it mattered most.
“So far so good really this weekend,” Simpson said. “I had a great battle with Chaz at the end there, but also with Geoff in the early part of the race.
“It feels good to get the monkey off my back so to speak, but I’m already looking forward to tomorrow. I think we can continue to battle up the front, so it will just be a matter of putting it all together.”
As the championship leader coming into Round 2, Mostert drove a sensible race to finish second, but didn’t quite have the pace of Simpson.
The Synergy Motorsport driver led early, but chose to conserve his second position to the flag.
“I think we have to work on the set-up for tomorrow to make sure the car doesn’t go away from us again tomorrow,” Mostert said.
“We’re thinking points at this stage and another solid finish does help our points tally, even though it’s still early in the season. I think we can challenge at the front tomorrow, but we need to be smart and not take any unnecessary risks.”
Third place finisher Uhrhane continued his good form at the Queensland circuit, by taking yet another podium for Team Sonic. Uhrhane battled with Mostert and Simpson early, but settled for third in the latter stages of the race, which was interrupted by a safety car with only a handful of laps remaining.
“I think we are struggling a little with the car, but I’m also struggling slightly to get the most from it this weekend, so hopefully we can fix that overnight,” Uhrhane said.
“The Mygale works really well around this circuit and I want to make the most of that in the next two races.”
Adam Graham continued his strong run this season with a fourth place finish, ahead of rookie Ben Jurczak and Andre Borell. Nathan Morcom was sixth in his Spectrum followed by Ash Walsh, Nick Foster, who fought back after an early spin, and Cameron Waters.
The action continues at Queensland Raceway tomorrow with races two and three.
Find the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship on twitter @ffordaustralia to keep up to date with Australia’s premier junior development category.
IPSWICH 300, QUEENSLAND RACEWAY - RACE 1
1. Ryan Simpson, Mygale SJ10a
2. Chaz Mostert, Spectrum 012
3. Geoff Uhrhane, Mygale SJ10a
4. Adam Graham, Mygale SJ10a
5. Ben Jurczak, Spectrum 012
6. Andre Borell, Mygale SJ10a
7. Nathan Morcom, Spectrum 012
8. Ashley Walsh, Spectrum 012
9. Nick Foster, Mygale SJ10a
10. Cameron Waters, Mygale
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