 Factory Enterprises Spectrum driver Chaz Mostert dominated Race 1 at the Hidden Valley Circuit during Round 4 of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship.
The championship leader extended his points advantage with a stunning drive to the front of the field, after a close battle with Sonic Motor Racing Services teammates Geoff Uhrhane and Ryan Simpson.
Despite the victory, Mostert remains focused on his ultimate goal, the 2010 Australian Formula Ford Championship.
“Our main aim is points this season, but if there is the opportunity to take victory then I’m going to go for it and today we had the speed,” Mostert said.
“I’m not quite happy with the balance of the car at this stage, but it’s a surprisingly easy car to drive, which enabled me to produce some very consistent laps towards the end of the race.
“Obviously we have some good straight-line speed, which I think is more about how well we are coming onto the straight and with it being the only real passing spot here we were able to find our way to the front.”
Hog’s Breath Mygale driver Uhrhane was pleased with second, despite lacking the speed to challenge Mostert at the end of Hidden Valley’s one kilometer long straight.
“It was a really good battle out there today and I really enjoyed it, it’s just frustrating that we weren’t able to challenge Chaz at the end of the straight,” Uhrhane said.
“We’re very quick through the corners at the back of the circuit, which is really hurting us, so we’ll make some changes overnight and come out ready for battle tomorrow.”
In an eventful race, pole-sitter Simpson followed Mostert and Uhrhane home and was disappointed not to have been further up the field.
“We’re still in it for tomorrow, but we need to work on some things to make sure we have better speed in the right areas,” Simpson lamented.
“The car has great speed around the back of the circuit, but we need to get a better run onto the straight so we can have a go at making a pass into turn one.”
Nick Foster charged back from a terrible start to finish fourth and keep himself in the title hunt ahead of last round winner Ash Walsh.
Adam Graham had a tough race and dropped down to sixth from second on the grid, while Andre Borell, Jack LeBrocq, Martin Short and Sam Howard rounded out the top 10.
Round 4 of the series continues with Races 2 and 3 tomorrow at the Hidden Valley Circuit
Find the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship on twitter @ffordaustralia to keep up to date with Australia’s premier junior development category.
HIDDEN VALLEY, DARWIN, NT - RACE 1
1. Chaz Mostert, Spectrum 012
2. Geoff Uhrhane, Mygale SJ10a
3. Ryan Simpson, Mygale SJ10a
4. Nick Foster, Mygale SJ10a
5. Ashley Walsh, Spectrum 012
6. Adam Graham, Mygale SJ10a
7. Andre Borell, Mygale SJ10a
8. Jack LeBrocq, Spectrum 011c
9. Martin Short, Mygale SJ09a
10. Sam Howard, Spectrum 011
HIDDEN VALLEY, DARWIN, NT - QUALIFYING
1. Ryan Simpson, Mygale SJ10a, 1:12.3757
2. Adam Graham, Mygale SJ10a, 1:12.4111
3. Geoff Uhrhane, Mygale SJ10a, 1:12.4252
4. Chaz Mostert, Spectrum 012, 1:12.6096
5. Nick Foster, Mygale SJ10a, 1:12.7787
6. Cameron Waters, Mygale SJ06a, 1:12.8257
7. Ashley Walsh, Spectrum 012, 1:12.9907
8. Garry Jacobson, Spectrum 011c, 1:12.9965
9. Jack LeBrocq, Spectrum 011c, 1:13.1515
10. Tom Williamson, Mygale SJ09a, 1:13.1619
Formula Ford is the world’s premier junior development motorsport category and has been a prominent fixture within Australia since 1969. Ford has been a proud partner of Formula Ford in Australia since the beginning and will support the category again in 2010 as it continues to grow. The relative parity between local and international makes produces some of the closest and most exciting racing seen on any circuit around Australia.
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