The fast flowing and somewhat daunting Eastern Creek Raceway will play host to the second round of the New South Wales (NSW) Formula Ford Championship and the driver everyone will be chasing this weekend (April 29 & 30) is Icon Motorsport driver Ben Morley.

Making his return to the NSW Championship for the first time in nearly eight years, Morley dominated proceedings in the opening round down at Goulburn's Wakefield Park Raceway by scoring pole position and winning all three races in a stunning display from the former NSW Championship runner-up (1998 behind the late Stewart McColl).

After impressive performances in the opening round were 2002 NSW Championship winner Matthew Howard and Stephen Payne amongst others are looking to bridge the gap on Morley around the 3.93km circuit.

If experience counts for anything, Howard is the most likely to threaten Morley, however the raw talent of Payne and so shouldn't put them out of the picture. Payne has proven their speed at the opening round and is keen to perform. Howard, driving his aging RF91 Van Diemen, is hoping to find his way into the winner's circle, something he hasn't experienced in four years.

Anglo Australian Motorsport team drivers, Leigh Burgess and San Pattis, made contrasting debuts in round one, but they were both very impressive. Burgess had a consistent weekend and walked away from the weekend fifth in the point standings overall, while Pattis showed glimpses of brilliance, but was involved in a number of on track incidents that saw him failure to figure highly in the results.

CAMS Rising Star Kristian Lindbom showed plenty of pace at the opening round and the former multiple Australian Go Karting Title winner should figure well at Eastern Creek as he becomes more accustomed with driving his # 41 Borland Racing Developments prepared Spectrum 010. Currently, 16-year-old Lindbom is ranked sixth in the NSW Championship point standings after one round.

Colin Sieders, Kyle Wood and Nick Lowe are hoping for stronger performances after disappointing and frustrating opening rounds that saw them in the wars on a number of occasions. All three drivers have plenty of speed and are aiming to unleash that with strong results this weekend.

After consistent opening rounds, Daniel Cotton, Glenn Welch, Alan Price, Andrew Taite and Derryn Harrison are shooting for a continuation of this and in the process increase their points total in the NSW Championship standings.

Newcomers to the NSW Championship, Bradley Cady and Chris Goodham, are both hoping to continue their learning curves, while other nominated drivers in the 20-car field will be Dave Wood, youngster Matt McGill, Daran Martin and Jason Liddell.

A number of questions are yet to be answered in 2006 and this weekend's second round of the NSW Championship will see whether Morley can maintain his winning form, or are the likes of Douglas, Howard, Payne and co going to prove too much for the experienced racer. All will be revealed this weekend at Eastern Creek Raceway.

Saturday will commence official proceedings with qualifying and race one, while Sunday will see the running of race two and three.

Current NSW Formula Ford Championship Point Standings (heading into round two):

1 Ben Morley - 90
2 Taz Douglas - 76
3 Matthew Howard - 74
4 Stephen Payne - 60
5 Leigh Burgess - 54
6 Kristian Lindbom - 45
7 Daniel Cotton - 41
8 Glenn Welch - 36
9 Alan Price - 36
10 Kyle Wood - 30

Simpson Race Products Rookie of the Year:
1 Taz Douglas - 76
2 Leigh Burgess - 54
3 Kristian Lindbom - 45
4 Alan Price - 36
5 San Pattis - 18