Fawcett First, Williams Wins Round 1, Rowe Recovers on Hectic Phillip Island Sunday
- admin43656
- May 18
- 4 min read
A lucky escape and inspired recovery drive by Jamie Rowe (#48 Fabcon Spectrum) was one of the big stories of the weekend at Phillip Island, but Kobi Williams (#94 ACMF Finance/Siclids Spectrum) came out on top after a frenetic opening round of the 2025 Australian Formula Ford Championship.
With Race 2 abandoned after a second-lap incident, Williams and Joe Fawcett (#23 Build Fourth/Konstrukt/ICCONS Spectrum) shared a win and a second place each for 36 points apiece, only separated by Williams earning a bonus point for taking the pole on Saturday – bringing his total to 37 points and giving him a one point lead.
Ever-consistent in third place was Lachlan Evennett (#88 CAMM Concrete & Quarries/BF Racing Mygale), banking 28 points for his efforts.
Race 2
While Williams started on pole alongside Fawcett, the racing action was short-lived due to a spectacular coming-together between Rowe and Victorian state competitor Jack Pennacchia on the second lap.
Under braking on the run down into Turn 10, Rowe hit the rear of Pennacchia’s Mygale and went airborne and upside down into the gravel trap.
The red flags were immediately waved and the race abandoned, but Rowe was soon cleared from the medical centre and all other drivers were OK
The attention of the #48 garage quickly switched to performing a seemingly impossible task – getting the car repaired for Race 3 in just under four hours’ time.
Race 3
A miraculous effort from Rowe and his team ensued, and the #48 rolled back out on track to start Race 3 – albeit from the back of the grid.
Nineteen grid slots ahead, Williams nailed the launch and led the field down into turn 1, with Fawcett close behind.
Evennett’s race became a defensive exercise, as Seth Burchartz (#24 Tickford Autosport Mygale) and Hunter Salvatore (#16 Versa Motorsport Spectrum) fought for his place on the podium.
Rowe had put in a huge recovery drive to find himself on the cusp of the top 10 at the halfway point.
Fawcett and Williams launched into a lengthy battle for the lead, aided by a strong draft down the main straight which saw the pair change places throughout.
After 13 laps of action, it was Fawcett who pipped Williams by just over halfa second for the win.
Evennett held on for third, with nearly nine seconds between him and the fourth place battle between Burchartz and William Lowing (#53 Mygale).
Salvatore, Bradley James (#61 Carac - Marcos Ambrose Motorsport Spectrum), Jack Johnson (#14 Kettle/Zena Sport/Accredited Spectrum), a resurgent Rowe, and Lachlan Mineeff (#15 Anglo Motorsport Spirit) rounded out the top 10.
Round 1 Focus Driver Performance Hard Charger Award Winner: Jamie Rowe
From being upside down in the gravel in Race 2, to finishing in the top 10 just four hours later, Rowe’s incredible turnaround well and truly earned him the first Hard Charger Award of season 2025.
The championship heads north to Queensland for its next outing, with Round 2 taking place on 7-8 June at Morgan Park Raceway.
A full championship points update will soon be available on www.formulaford.org.au.
2025 Australian Formula Ford Championship Round 1 – Phillip Island Quoteboard
Round winner: Kobi Williams (#94 ACMF Finance/Siclids Spectrum)
“It was a bit of a shame we didn't get our second race in there, because it would have been close racing once again, but happy to take away the race win and a good start to the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
“Just a big thanks to Dad and Adam for all their hard work on the car, and my sponsors, ACMF Finance and Siclids, my family for coming out to support me, and Joe, Lachie and everyone else for great racing.”
Round second place-getter: Joe Fawcett (#23 Build Fourth/Konstrukt/ICCONS Spectrum)
“It was a really good weekend. The few red flags that were throughout the weekend were disappointing, and we're glad that Jamie's OK. Other than that, the racing was mostly clean, and we came away with a good result.
“Thank you, everyone, for keeping it mostly clean this weekend. Thanks to John for looking after me for the weekend, and Paul for spinning some spanners today.”
Round third place-getter: Lachlan Evennett (#88 CAMM Concrete & Quarries/BF Racing Mygale)
“I’d just like to thank my mum and dad for bringing me down here, all my sponsors, CAMM - new sponsor this year - they've helped me out quite a lot. Everyone, for hard racing. It's been good all weekend. Unfortunate with the red flag that we didn't get Race 2 in, but yeah, sometimes that happens. I'm glad that Jamie was OK. I’d just like to thank Brett as well, and Benji and Dylan on the car this weekend. It was hooked up all weekend, I really appreciate it.
“You look at last year, Eddie (Beswick) won one race, I think, all year, and he comes out with the championship. That says it - in these junior series, anything can happen. We just have to try to keep the nose clean, keep the points up there, get good finishes and have pace at all these tracks. I'm really looking forward to Morgan Park, It's a home track for me. I’m looking to get some good points, maybe a few podiums up.”
Round 1 Focus Driver Performance Hard Charger Award Winner: Jamie Rowe (#48 Fabcon Spectrum)
“It was a huge team effort from the Borlands. Everyone jumped in to help out – anyone that was in the team just lending a hand. We got it back together just in time. It wasn't too straight, but it was just enough to get some points, and finish a race for the weekends. It was good, I had a blast.
“It was a scary moment, but I luckily came out with no injuries. So it was just “get the car back together, go out there and try to do the best effort for the team”. They put all the hard work in.
“We'll change a few things, but it's pretty good how it is now. We’ve got Sydney (Formula Ford Super Series Round 2) in two weeks first, and then straight to Morgan Park, so we'll have it ready by Morgan Park.”
