The fourth round of the New South Wales (NSW) Formula Ford Championship comes to Oran Park Raceway for the second occasion in 2006, and all eyes this weekend (July 29 - 30) will be on the battle between Championship leader Ben Morley and youngster Nick Lowe.

At the previous round last month, it was Lowe who upset the apple cart of Morley's by bringing to an end his 8 race winning streak, which occurred in the third and final race. However, not overly concerned by the defeat, Morley naturally had the intention of getting back into the winner's circle, but at the same time wants to consolidate his handy buffer to his nearest rival in the Championship point standings, which is incidentally Lowe, for the remaining three rounds.

After finishing a narrow second in the 1998 NSW Championship behind the late Stuart McColl, Morley wants this year's Championship more than anything, not only for himself, but for his Icon Motorsport team.

On numerous occasions during the last round, Lowe proved that he had the measure of Morley, but the experience of the latter proved too much for the second year Formula Ford racer to overcome, but in the third race Lowe was able to capitalise and went on to score his maiden race win in Formula Ford.

Aside from the fight at the pointy end of the field, CAMS Rising Star Kristian Lindbom is looking to redeem himself after a horror round three where the 16-year-old was involved in two big crashes in both practice and qualifying due to mechanical failure. It wasn't all doom and gloom for Lindbom, and after missing the opening race, he was able to bounce back and finish on the podium in the 'Trophy Race'. Lindbom can take a lot of confidence from that run and should be up there at the front of the field.

Bad-luck dogged Stephen Payne and Queensland based Kyle Wood at the last round and both drivers are looking to get back up to the front of the pack and podium results are what they are searching for. Payne and Wood showed plenty of pace over that weekend, but their final results weren't a true indication of their speed.

2002 NSW Champion Matthew Howard was very competitive during the third round and was amongst the Top 5 in all three races, and should be in good shape to continue that, and he should be discounted in regards to a podium result either.

Anglo Australian Motorsport team drivers, Leigh Burgess and San Pattis, are looking for improved results after getting through their first run at the Oran Park circuit unscathed and took in a lot of knowledge, which puts them in good stead for this weekend.

Returning to the NSW Championship for the first time since 2004 is Rob Storey in a cameo appearance. Storey, who is these days is living down in Melbourne - Victoria, will drive the Anglo Australian Motorsport Stealth Van Diemen that was last driven by Dane Rudolph in 2004.

A surprise, but welcomed, entrant for round four is former V8 Supercar and Super Tourer racer Peter Doulman, who will step into the ex Nathan Antunes / Neil McFadyen RF94 Van Diemen that was driven last year in the National Championship by his teenage son, Grant.

Other drivers nominated in the 18-car field are Alan Price, Derryn Harrison, Andrew Taite, Chris Goodman, Matt McGill, rookie Bradley Cady aboard the ex John Mostyn Spectrum 06B and Ken Birt.

Latest NSW Formula Ford Championship Point Standings (after three completed rounds):
1 Ben Morley - 266
2 Nick Lowe - 178
3 Stephen Payne - 158
4 Kristian Lindbom - 155
5 Glenn Welch - 144
6 Matthew Howard - 142
7 Daniel Cotton - 133
8 Kyle Wood - 126
9 Leigh Burgess - 108
10 Andrew Taite - 94