Formula Ford Title Chase Thrown Wide Open
By Timothy Neal
Date posted: 25 October 2022
The Australian Formula Ford title will contest its finale at the SMP this weekend with series leader James Piszcyk not in attendance.
The South Australian based CHE Racing talent has instead opted to travel to the UK where he will complete a Formula 4 test with a British based team.
It’s been a tightly fought year with a host of future talent on display, with the national Formula Ford being a known breeding ground for future stars.
Piszcyk has enjoyed a four win season to-date with one pole to lead the championship by 11 points in his #93 Mygale SJ13 over Sonic Motor Racing’s Valentino Astuti.
Cameron McLeod leading the field at Morgan Park Raceway ahead of Ryder Quinn and Valentino Astuti
Taking the lead in the third round at Winton, followed by a clean sweep at the SMP in round 4, has seen Piszcyk hold top spot for much of the year, with Astuti, Cameron McLeod and Winston Smith all a chance to take out the 2022 title. Ryder Quinn, who will contest next years NZ TRS series sits in fifth, but is just out of reach with a maximum of 61 available.
It may put to bed CHE Racings bid for back-to-back titles after Thomas Sargent dominated in 2021, now leading the title chase in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia.
The empty seat opens the door for Imogen Radburn to make her second national appearance, whilst 10th placed Zak Lobko will take his usual place on the grid.
CHE Racings team owner Cameron Hill has wished Piszcyk all the best for his overseas endeavour, but is also disappointed he won’t be contesting for the title this weekend.
“Myself and the whole CHE Racing Team wish James the absolute best with his future endeavours. I really want to see him succeed in the future, and I hope the direction he has elected to take serves him well,” Hill commented.
“James and our team have worked very hard to get into this position, and to learn that our leading driver would not contest the last round is crushing.
“It has been a really tough, competitive year against great competition. Our whole team has felt that we have earned the right to fight for the title in the last round, and to not complete the year, as we had all intended, is a huge shame.
“We will be at Sydney with our other drivers Zak Lobko and Imogen Radburn, we will be aiming to see them move up a few more positions in the final round.”
The final round starts with personal practice sessions on the Friday, followed by the three races over Saturday and Sunday, October 29-30.
National Formula Ford Standings
- Piszcyk 237
- Astuti 226
- McLoed 198
- Smith 193
- Quinn 169
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of Auto Action.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.
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