FOSTER FIGHTS BACK - ROUND 6 RACE REPORT

Ian Foster took two wins from three starts at Taupo over the weekend to bring himself to within 45 points of the Formula First Championship lead. The 42 year old Aucklander placed second in Saturday’s first race and then dominated the scorecard on Sunday by taking two thrilling final-lap victories over his main title rival Selby Allison.

The look of determination on Ian Foster's face is evident as he prepares to leave the pits prior to race 1. Qualifying Qualifying took place on Saturday morning minus Sabre team driver Caine Lobb, who had announced a few days earlier his intention to concentrate his racing efforts solely on his Formula Ford Campaign. Lobb’s exit enabled Stefan Webling to make his first appearance since his nasty qualifying crash with Matthew Stubbs at Pukekohe. Indeed, it was Webling who set the early pace in the session, electing to push very hard almost immediately as he rolled out of the pit lane.

Slipstreaming is all important in Formula First qualifying sessions. As such, qualifying can often resemble racing – with several cars jostling for position in an attempt to optimise lap times. This session was no different as up to eleven cars trailed one another through the bulk of the allotted 20 minutes.

It was Foster who came out on top, piloting his Scorpion Race Cars prepared Challenge to a time of 1:47.666. Championship points leader Selby Allison was second quickest, a further .557 seconds behind. Michael Shepherd went third quickest, his car troubles from Manfeild seemingly solved, with a time only .077 seconds slower than Allison. Webling had joined the main pack towards the end of the session and was rewarded with his highest qualifying position ever, placing his Sabre fourth on the grid. Next came Webling’s Sabre team mates Matthew Stubbs, Alastair Wootten, Chad Ace and Jamie McNee. Bradley McDonald and Dave Scammell rounded out the top ten grid positions.

David Ruthven was next, followed by Phil Abel, Ben Poulsen, Robin Bennett, Bryan McConkey and Zayne Martin. Both McConkey and Martin had suffered car issues throughout the session and neither driver had set a competitive time.

Race 1 Race one got away in the scorching heat of Saturday afternoon and it was immediately apparent that Allison was going to be the man to beat. After two laps the Wanganui Automotive Engineer had pulled a healthy gap back to the battling pack, lead by Foster.

Foster leading Allison in race 1. Allison took first blood by winning race 1 by close to two seconds. Allison’s Century Battery sponsored Alvee eventually crossed the line 1.8 seconds ahead to take a largely untroubled win.

After a titanic battle, it was Foster who finished second ahead of Shepherd, Webling and Stubbs. These four had fought a frantic race, with positions changing lap after lap. Foster’s result was all the more impressive considering his car had been misfiring due to a blocked accelerator pump.

Chad Ace was next across the line, followed by Abel, who had gained five positions in the six laps. Dave Scammell crossed the line next, ahead of McDonald, Bennett, Ruthven and Poulsen.

Alastair Wootten’s race had looked to be running to plan until his engine lost a plug lead – the Gulf Harbour youngster having to visit the pits to have it re-attached. He continued on at speed but had lost far too much time to catch the pack. He was classified as finishing 13th.

Zayne Martin, Bryan McConkey and Jamie McNee all suffered DNFs. McNee had a spin whereas McConkey and Martin both had mechanical problem.

Race 2 At the lights, Allison and Foster shot off from the front row and immediately opened a gap back to the chasing pack – being lead by Michael Shepherd.

Matthew Stubbs took a well deserved podium spot in race 2. His first podium finish to date. The battle at the front was fierce but clean, with Allison and Foster both leading at different points on the circuit lap in, lap out. Although the two drivers were fighting hard, they were also managing to extend their lead over the following pack to close to 6 seconds.

Behind them another battle was raging amongst Stubbs, Shepherd, Webling and Wootten. For much of the race Shepherd headed the pack, but once again his car appeared to suffer engine issues as he slowly dropped to the back of the group. There was no love lost between the three Sabre team mates of Wootten, Webling and Stubbs, the latter two never having finished on the podium. Lap after lap the three drivers disputed the third spot, each attempting to out fox the other by being in the crucial position come the last lap.

As the last lap ran its course, it was Allison who held the upper hand at the front of the field. But Foster had other ideas and as the two drivers approached the end of the main straight, he darted out of Allison’s slipstream. A braking duel ensued as Allison fought to keep the lead, but it was Foster who had the upper hand, and in a daring maneuver managed to turn in on the outside of Allison to take the lead – to a cheer from the appreciative crowd. He held on to take a popular win by just over .3 of a second.

Dave Scammell (car 33) holds out Robin Bennett, Bradley McDonald and David Ruthven. Much the same was occurring behind the two leaders. It had come down to Stubbs and Webling for the final podium spot. Again the position was disputed right down to the final turn. Stubbs held the upper hand approaching the final turn as Webling braked desperately late in an attempt to emulate Foster’s efforts, but it could not be done and Stubbs held on to take a jubilant first podium. Wootten crossed the line just behind his team mates – all three finishing within .43 seconds of one another. Another classic Formula First battle.

Shepherd had dropped off the back of this bunch and finished sixth ahead of McDonald, McNee, Ruthven and Abel. Robin Bennett came home next, ahead of Scammell and McConkey – whose gearbox woes continued. Ben Poulsen was unlucky to DNF after having a great race. Unfortunately the Feilding youngster’s race came to and end on the last lap after one of his best races to date. Thankfully his car was undamaged.

Chad Ace’s race had come to an early end only a few laps in when a rear suspension failure dropped the rear end of his car onto the track surface - and Zayne Martin’s woes continued with engine issues.

Race 3 The last race of the weekend looked to be a carbon copy of race two as the pack headed away on lap one. Once again Allison and Foster set about opening a gap early on. This time however, Webling was not going to let the two get away and he set about concentrating all his efforts on staying within contention. The New Plymouth youngster was clearly determined to get his first podium – after narrowly missing out in race 2.

As the laps unfolded the leading trio slowly built a gap back to the fighting group of Shepherd, Wootten and Stubbs. Behind the second three, there was another gap back to McDonald.

All this left the field set up for an amazing final lap.

Stefan Webling took a popular podium finish in race 3. As with team mate Stubbs, this was Stefan's first podium to date. Once again Allison held the lead approaching the final turn. He had positioned his car to force Foster to go around the outside, although this time Foster not only had to worry about passing Allison, but also had to protect his position from a determined Webling. Still, Foster was not short of determination himself and he lined Allison up for a braking duel. Allison braked much later than in race 2, but it was still not enough and as the two cars turned in to the Cork Screw complex, it was Foster who eased ahead. Webling was right in the mix but had nowhere to go and had to settle with entering the final turn in third – there was simply no room for him to move in between the two leaders.

Foster took an ecstatic win from Allison, with Webling getting his first podium in no uncertain manner - a superb effort by the rookie.

The trailing trio’s battle was won by Wootten, from Shepherd and Stubbs. Once again this bunch was as tightly packed as the leaders had been. The gap this time was just over .9 of a second.

Seventh went to McDonald, from Ace, Ruthven and Bennett. Next home was Dave Scammell, followed by McNee.

Zayne Martin (engine), Ben Poulsen (sticking throttle), Bryan McConkey (gearbox) and Phil Abel were all credited with DNFs.

With two rounds remaining, Allison leads the Championship on 1224 points from Foster on 1179. Michael Shepherd sits in third on 998. The next round of the Championship takes place at Pukekohe on the 4th of March.