Photo by John Morris - MPix

It will be no surprise that the top two contenders in the championship won’t be letting up in their respective championship campaigns, with only a mere five points separating leader Rob Storey (Anglo Australian Motorsport Spirit WL07) and 2006 reigning champion Ben Morley (Icon Motorsport Spectrum 09B).

With some exciting four-wide battles and multiple lead changes being delivered on numerous occasions this year and that can be expected to continue this weekend, Morley will be determined to qualify strongly in order to maintain every advantage over his rival to continue his run of round victories and close the points gap to return as championship front runner and defend his title.

Considering the dominating fashion in which Storey claimed the corresponding round win at this event last year, the ex Sydneysider now Melbourne based talent will want to duplicate that effort this time around. Despite finishing on the round podium on every occasion so far this season, Storey will want to add that victory to the third and second place finishes that he has achieved so far.

CAMS Rising Stars racer Daniel Erickson (Spectrum 010B) achieved his first podium finish of the year at round two in May and will again put on a tough battle at the front of the pack. That includes CAMS Rising Star team-mate Scott Pye (Spectrum 010B) who is looking to return to form and the podium. Currently, both CAMS Rising Star drivers are locked on equal points in the championship for third place.

With the grid already containing Spectrum, Van Diemen, Listec, and Spirit manufactures represented, the chance of a surprise cameo return to the championship will be the Mygale driven by its G-Force Motorsport importer Greg Woodrow. The Victorian based Woodrow last competed in the championship back in 2004 and in the past has always performed strongly at the Oran Park circuit.

The likes of Tom Tweedie (Anglo Australian Motorsport Van Diemen Stealth), Team Sydney Motorsport driver Glenn Welch (Listec Wil 05), Chris Goodman (Spectrum 010B) will also be competitive drivers to watch closely as the 2.6km Grand Prix circuit, with it’s technical but fast layout, is expected to be the catalyst in separating the talent field heading into the remainder of the championship.

There is no doubt that the drivers are eager to get back into the swing of things, after the third round of the championship, last month at Oran Park Raceway, was cancelled due to wet weather.

Round four of the NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship kicks off this Saturday (July 21) with qualifying followed by race one in the afternoon. Sunday (July 22) will showcase the remaining race two and three.

2007 NSW Formula Ford 1600 State Championship Point Standings:
1. Rob Storey 152
2. Ben Morley 147
3. Scott Pye 128
4. Daniel Erickson 128
5. Tom Tweedie 124