Motorsport can be cruel at the best of times, and that is exactly what Ben Morley's rivals are hoping will give them a shot at snatching the Championship from him during the fifth and penultimate round of the NSW Formula Ford Championship at Wakefield Park Raceway on August 19 - 20.

It will require divine intervention to deny Morley the Championship honours of 2006, but a close group of rivals, namely CAMS rising star Kristian Lindbom, Stephen Payne and Nick Lowe (placed second to fourth respectively), all still have a legitimate chance of winning the Championship.

If form is any indication to go by, then Morley is at short odds to claim the Championship after blitzing the same field in March during the opening round by taking pole position and winning all three races after a torrid battle with Victorian visitor Taz Douglas.

Lindbom, Payne and Lowe are still hungry to fight it to the finish at Wakefield Park to secure a place in the winners circle so as to keep their faint Championship hopes alive. In fact, out of the three drivers, Lowe is the only one to taste success this year after he defeated Morley back in round three - breaking his eight race winning streak.

Despite not figuring in the Championship contention, Matthew Howard, Leigh Burgess, Glenn Welch and Queenslander Kyle Wood are expected to be valuable nuisances by arranging upset performances at the pointy end of the field. All four drivers have the potential to wreak havoc and of special concern is 2002 Championship title holder Howard.

Having their sights set firmly on being well inside the top 10 during the weekend are Andrew Taite, Alan Price, San Pattis and Derryn Harrison. Pattis was right at home in his second ever Formula Ford race: the opening Championship round in March, as the Malaysian born driver posted the fastest lap time (and with many race miles under his belt since then), he will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

The likes of Chris Goodman, Daran Martin, Ken Birt, Matt McGill, Jason Liddell and Bradley Cady are also looking to post improved performances in their aim to get closer to top 10 results.

History has proven the tight nature of Wakefield Park always provides plenty of action throughout the field - and who knows, another upset might be on the cards following the footsteps of Rob Storey, who took out the fourth round in his cameo appearance.

One thing is certain this weekend; it's going to take something out of the ordinary to prevent Morley from taking out the NSW Formula Ford Championship for 2006.

Latest NSW Formula Ford Championship Point Standings (after four completed rounds):
1 Ben Morley - 356
2 Kristian Lindbom - 233
3 Stephen Payne - 224
4 Nick Lowe - 220
5 Matthew Howard - 196
6 Leigh Burgess - 172
7 Andrew Taite - 146
8 Glenn Welch - 144
9 Kyle Wood - 144
10 Daniel Cotton - 133

Simpson Rookie of the Year Point Standings:
1 Kristian Lindbom - 233
2 Leigh Burgess - 172
3 Alan Price - 127
4 San Pattis - 108
5 Taz Douglas - 76