A weekend of firsts at Winton
The ultra-competitive Australian National Formula Ford Series ran its second round of six at Benalla’s Winton Motor Raceway on the weekend, where a promising young talent in Jordan Lloyd stepped up to claim his maiden pole, race and round win driving his BF Racing prepared Mygale.
Following its rebirth as a National Series earlier in 2014, Formula Ford and spectators have enjoyed one of its toughest years of competition, with entry numbers well up on previous years and teams pushing harder than ever for silverware and bragging rights.
With a couple of years’ of national level experience under his belt, Lloyd was out for victory from the outset. Having claimed his maiden pole, Lloyd missed out on taking his first victory in Saturday’s Race 1. He more than made up for it on Sunday, charging to the head of the pack to win Races 2 and 3.
"I'm over the moon to get my first National Formula Ford Pole Position, Race win and Round win all at the one meeting, especially here at a Winton.” Jordan said.
“I knew I had the experience from Mallala to do even better this weekend, so to be able to put it together consistently is very satisfying for myself and BF Racing and gives us even more motivation to keep pushing harder at the next round in Queensland.”
“There are a large number of cars coming into each round with a chance of winning and the speed to do it, but I'll keep focused too so it's going to be one of the toughest years yet to win the National Series."
Round 1 winner, James Golding, enjoyed a strong weekend in his Spectrum 014, claiming second place, just ahead of a hard charging pack of Mygale’s.
Although quick, Golding wasn’t a match for Lloyd at his home circuit. With second overall, the Borland Racing Developments driver maintains his championship lead with four rounds remaining.
Dream Motorsport driver Thomas Randle was in fine form under ominous conditions at Winton, claiming his maiden victory in national Formula Ford competition. Although the Victorian was quick, he couldn’t hold the likes of Lloyd or Golding at bay during Sunday’s races, settling for third overall.
The Team Sonic drivers were again strong, rounding out the top five overall with Nick Rowe ahead of Hamish Hardeman.
In his national debut, Cameron Walters impressed all en-route to a masterful Formula Ford 1600 class round victory. In the face of fierce competition, Walters was never headed, taking a clean sweep of victories ahead of the experienced James Garley and Jimmy Bailey.
The close and clean racing all weekend is amongst the best currently on the Australian motor racing scene which further cements Formula Ford as the premiere young driver development category in Australia.
Round 6 of the Shannons Nationals series will play host for Round 3 of the Australian National Formula Ford Series taking place August 8 – 10.
The 2014 Formula Ford Series is proudly supported by Avon tyres, Castrol, Kincrome and Ferodo.
