Dylan Grant heads into the seventh and final round of the 2022/23 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) with a slim 33-point lead ahead of Blake Dowdall with Mason Potter slotting into third just two-points further back. Manfeild Park Chris Amon in Feilding hosts the title fight this weekend which is likely to be decided between these three drivers, with double-points on the line for the final feature race and a maximum of 302-points on offer.
Grant has 11 podiums over 20 races including four race wins while Potter has just four podiums but has consistently collected points since the beginning of the season last September. He will also be looking for his first win of the season. Dowdall has one win and seven other podiums over the season and could prove to be Grant’s biggest threat.
“Manfeild played the opening round of the Series last September which produced some incredible Formula Ford racing with up to five cars battling for the lead and this weekend shouldn’t disappoint,” commented NIFF Chairman Shane Drake.
“It’s a fitting end to our seven round, seven month series to start and finish in the Manawatu after a lengthy layoff. We now have a good competitor base here as well so it’s exciting to come back.”
Fifth placed Sebastian Manson is poised to break into the top three. Manson has improved over the season and stood on the podium in all five races at the penultimate round in Taupo and recently finished fourth overall in the national championship. Unfortunately, a non-scoring fourth round at Taupo in November put a real dent in his North Island title campaign.
Zac Blincoe has shown great pace on his return after his massive accident at the Supercars round at Pukekohe last year scoring two fourth-places at Taupo in February. Local Judd Christiansen has just had a top end refresh to give his older class 2 Van Diemen Stealth some much welcomed power.
Returning to the category are Nick Buxeda and Grant Campbell in Class 1 Van Diemens along with Kim Crocker in a Ray GR14.
Blake Dowdall grabbed the two points available for the fastest qualifier plus a $500 cash prize for the pole position provided by the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy.
The Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series is also supported by Yokohama, the Tony Quinn Foundation, and NAPA Auto Parts who sponsor the ‘Driver of the Day’ with a $200+gst trade voucher.
Overall Points (Top 10)- 2022/23 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series – 6/7 rounds
1/ Dylan Grant 1013
2/ Blake Dowdall 980
3/ Mason Potter 978
5/ Alex Crosbie 942
4/ Liam Sceats 785
6/ Sebastian Manson 782
7/ Judd Christiansen 661
8/ Leo Scott 584
9/ Shane Drake 383
10/ Zach Blincoe 379
Feature image thanks to Geoff Ridder
