 Local driver Zac Schonberger will be hoping for some home town support this weekend during Round 5 of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship in Townsville.
Schonberger, in his first full season of Formula Ford racing, is one of only two Townsville natives to be competing at this weekend’s event and is looking forward to some extra support as he aims for his best finish of the season.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at home and getting some good support from my friends and family. All of my family are going to be at the track over the weekend to cheer me on, which is a nice feeling, except Mum who has to work,” Schonberger said.
“The fact that the series got to race in Townsville this year did make it a very attractive option to me and I guess it was one of the reasons why I decided to do Formula Ford.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how everyone adapts to a brand new circuit, but I’m hoping that I’ll have a little advantage because it’s now a level playing field, unlike all the other circuits we visit.”
Fellow Queenslander Andre Borell will have his last outing at Townsville before travelling to Turkey for the World Triathlon Championships in September.
Borell will represent Australia in the championships and has been using his motorsport training and triathlon training to the benefit of both his passions.
“Training for both sports this year has really helped me not only physically, but also commercially by being able to offers sponsor another exciting opportunity,” Borell said.
“I’ve really noticed a difference in the car this year as well. Last year in Darwin doing a 20 minute race in the extreme heat was really taxing, but this year it’s a piece of cake due to my fitness level.
“I’m really looking forward to Townsville, we just need to get on top of a few things with the car and I think we can be right at the front.”
Chaz Mostert currently leads the championship by 14 points over Nick Foster following his second round win of the season in Darwin, while Geoff Uhrhane moved into third with a strong result in the Top End.
This weekend will see 22 drivers contesting Round 5 in its first visit to Far North Queensland. British driver Ben Barker will replace Martin Short at Team BRM, while New Zealander Nick Cassidy will replace Adam Graham at Evans Motorsport.
The CAMS Rising Star squad will get another shake-up, with Garry Jacobson sitting out this round. Liam Sager will have another outing, while Jack Howard will join Brother Sam on the grid at Howard Racing.
Find the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship on twitter @ffordaustralia to keep up to date with Australia’s premier junior development category.
Weekend Preview:
Round 5 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship
Townsville Street Circuit, Townsville, Qld
Friday July 9 – Sunday July 11
Weekend Schedule: AEST
Friday
08:30-08:50am - Practice 1 (20 minutes)
12:10-12:30pm - Practice 2 (20 minutes)
Saturday
08:30-08:50am - Qualifying (20 minutes)
11:25-11:45am - Race 1 (20 minutes)
Sunday
08:35-08:55am - Race 2 (20 minutes)
12:10-12:30pm - Race 3 (20 minutes)
Australian Formula Ford Championship – after four rounds
1. Chaz Mostert, 149
2. Nick Foster, 135
3. Geoff Uhrhane, 119
4. Ash Walsh, 118
5. Ryan Simpson, 111
6. Adam Graham, 92
7. Andre Borell, 38
8. Nathan Morcom, 37
9. Ben Jurczak, 35
10. Tom Williamson, 22
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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