Fifteen-12 months-previous Alex Crosbie has received the 2022 NAPA Vehicle Elements New Zealand Formula Ford Championship soon after a remarkable working day of racing at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch.
Heading into the spherical, the Southland college college student was 3rd general on the details desk, 62 at the rear of Auckland’s Liam Sceats with Cantabrian Zac Christensen second. With both Christensen and Sceats every single going through a mechanical challenge, this opened the gate for Crosbie to assert the title.
Throughout the 8 races in the championship, Crosbie (Ray GR21) concluded every single a single on the podium which include his initial System Ford race earn at the last round.
“Pretty stoked with that,” commented Crosbie. “It’s terrific to know that my identify will be on the trophy. I believed I essential to earn the (past) race to acquire the title. I genuinely did not assume I had a possibility at the start off of the working day.”
With a greatest of 302-details on offer you for the finale, Sceats (Van Diemen Stealth) held a helpful 34-point lead heading into the second and remaining nationwide spherical immediately after successful the to start with four races in Taupo in March.
On the other hand, Christensen experienced home-gain heading into the last four races and confirmed all day that he was the swiftest driver declaring the Hampton Downs NZ Race Academy $1,010 hard cash prize for speediest qualifier. He backed this up with a few race wins throughout the day only to be permit down by a damaged rear hub in race two, recording both equally a DNF (did not end) and scoring no details, settling in the conclude for second all round.
“Unfortunately, we have been on the lookout genuinely great soon after the initial race right now then we broke a hub in race two,” stated Christensen. “Other than that, we have been quickly all weekend. Alex (Crosbie) completed each race so congrats to him.”
At the start of the day, Sceats experienced adequate points retain his rivals at bay and managed a adequate gap by ending the initially 3 races in the prime 5. Heading into the ultimate 12-lap race, Sceats held a 22-place guide about Crosbie with Christensen a further 22 even more again.
Even so, his staff experienced been chasing a misfire all day and his engine made a decision to cease with two laps remaining in the final 12-lap race, handing the title to Crosbie and dropping to third total.
“All day we struggled with an motor misfire trouble and it has acquired even worse all working day,” commented Sceats. “It’s not the to start with low we have had in motorsport, so we will carry on and put together for the last North Island Collection spherical in a several months.”
Fourth general was Bree Morris (Ray GR17) with Simon Hunter (Mygale MJ08A) the to start with rookie driver household, fifth over-all.
Two Class titles had been also in competition. Crosbie won the Course 1 (put up 2000) title from Christensen and Bree Morris although Liam Sceats received the Course 2 (1990-1999) title from Shane Drake (Van Diemen RF92) and Mason Potter.
As section of the prize package for the general winner of the NZ Formulation Ford title, Crosbie will have the option to take a look at a FT60 although Sceats (the Course 2 winner) has the opportunity for a TR86 check. Both of those compliments of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand.
Crosbie also picks up the Motorsport New Zealand totally free entry to the Components Ford Competition at Brands Hatch in the United kingdom afterwards in the calendar year as very well as the Stephen Gillard Memorial Trophy, awarded to the best positioned “Rookie” of the championship.
Christensen requires dwelling the Morrie Smith Memorial Trophy, awarded to the driver who wins the closing race of the championship.
