Hardeman a hard man to beat

Round 3 of the Australian Formula Ford Series turned on some of 2014’s best racing action as part of Round 6 of the Shannons Nationals at Ipswich’s Queensland Raceway on the weekend. The Sonic Motor Racing Services prepared Mygale of Hamish Hardeman emerged a deserving round winner, outclassing his rivals in what was a very close, hard-fought weekend of racing with fellow Mygale runner Jordan Lloyd and the factory Borland Spectrum of James Golding. The 2013 Victorian Formula Ford Champion made a great start to Round 3, finishing second in Saturday’s Race 1. Having led for much of the race, Hardeman couldn’t hold off the local Lloyd who made a well-judged move for the lead on Lap 7. Starting from the front row for Race 2, Hardeman took advantage of a last lap incident between Saturday’s Polesitter, Nick Rowe, and Lloyd to claim victory. Lloyd was leading Rowe coming into the final turn – however the leader was caught off-guard by Rowe’s dive under brakes, the pair making contact sending Lloyd into the air. With the two leaders out of the way, Hardeman eased his way home to win from Golding – Lloyd salvaging sixth. Race 3 delivered on all promises to provide a grandstand finish between Hardeman, Golding and a resurgent Lloyd. Hardeman was strong out of the blocks, however his time at the head of the field was short lived. Golding snuck by for P1 on Lap 3, while Lloyd battled with Thomas Randle for third. A Safety Car was called on Lap 5 to remove the stricken Spectrum of Caitlin Wood – setting up a 3-lap sprint for the flag. Despite spirited efforts, Hardeman wasn’t able to crack Golding for the lead, the pair running extremely deep under brakes at Turn 3 in an impressive display of car control. Lloyd likewise came close to relieving Hardeman of P2, however he would eventually settle for third in Race 3 and the weekend. With Race 3 victory, Golding maintains his lead in the 2014 National championship – slightly stretching his lead over a fast Lloyd. Despite a penalty thwarting Rowe’s weekend, the Sonic driver reset the lap record in Race 2 with a 1m 13.8758s. In a small case of State of Origin, NSW based Cameron Walters claimed honours in the Formula Ford 1600 class driving his Mygale. Walters remained consistent at the ‘Paperclip’ – holding out Michael Hinrichs by a meagre five-points for the top spot. Queenslander state regular Thomas Corbett meanwhile stepped up to National competition for Round 3, impressing his peers en-route to third overall. Had he not endured a DNF in Race 1, Corbett would have surely claimed the Formula Ford 1600 win after storming to victory in Sunday’s races. The Formula Ford National Series returns for Round 4 at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW, October 17 – 19. The 2014 Formula Ford Series is proudly supported by Avon tyres, Andersen Promotions, Castrol, Kincrome and Ferodo.