FIELD CLOSES THE GAP - WINTER SERIES ROUND 2 REPORT

Cliff Field took two wins from three starts at Manfeild last weekend to close the points gap to Winter Series leader Matthew Stubbs. After qualifying on pole, Field won the first two races of the day and scored a second in the third - cutting Stubbs' advantage to just 4 points.

Qualifying

Qualifying took place on an absolutely beautiful Manawatu morning. Despite forecasts, the weather was almost perfect – and even with a slightly slippery track – lap times were very quick.

Cliff Field's two wins helped close the gap to Matthew Stubbs to just 4 points. Photo: Tracy Harris Field topped the time sheets with a lap of 1:24.185, a full 7 tenths of a second quicker than nearest rival rookie Matt Gibson. Another rookie - Sabre driver Richard Andrews - took third position on the grid, less than 6 hundredths ahead of fellow team mate Stubbs. Second through to fourth positions were separated by less than .2 of a second.

Bradley McDonald was next on 1:25.550. Next came Simon Hardy, followed by Stefan Webling, Ryan Hellier and Michael Neville. Graeme Lett rounded out the top 10. Behind Lett came Sam Reindler, Darren Henderson, Graeme Rundle, Ben Poulsen, John Locke and Zayne Martin.

Race 1

From the outset, race 1 was all about Field and Stubbs. Lap for lap the two traded the top spot in a classic Formula First duel. Field held the lead on the final lap and positioned himself to protect his lead as the two cars ran down to Dunlop corner for the last time. The expected attack from Stubbs never came and Field held on to take the win by a narrow margin at the line.

Behind Field and Stubbs, Webling, Gibson, Andrews and McDonald had been locked in a furious race-long battle. Webling emerged the eventual victor, from Gibson, then Andrews, then McDonald.

Simon Hardy had once again suffered mechanical issues and had slowed early on in the race. He eventually limped home in 7th place, ahead of Neville, Martin and Hellier.

Ben Poulsen appeared to have his car troubles sorted and was rewarded with a close race for 11th place, just nudging out Reindler. Lett crossed the line next, followed by Locke.

Graeme Rundle took the final placing, a few laps down on the leaders, after he lost his nosecone in a minor collision.

Race 2

Off the line Field made a mediocre start and was quickly swamped by both Stubbs and McDonald. McDonald, in particular, had made a great start and had moved to the outside of both Field and Stubbs, challenging for the lead at the first corner. However, the Wanganui youngster ran a little wide on the exit and Field tucked his way back inside to maintain second place behind a flying Stubbs.

Zayne Martin at pace. Photo: Tracy Harris Once again Field and Stubbs settled in for a close fight. Both drivers appeared patient and passed each other only when a good slipstream was available. This tactic served them well and within a few laps they had once again pulled away from the chasing pack.

The second group of cars was having its own battle. McDonald, Andrews and Webling leading the charge. The lead of this pack see-sawed constantly until McDonald was able to pull a small gap with a few laps to go – which he would hold through to the flag.

Back at the front it was Stubbs who held the lead down the back straight for the final time. He had taken the lead from Field as the cars approached Higgins and had cleverly held Field up on entry in order to make it difficult for the Aucklander to obtain a slipstream. It was not enough however and Field managed to slip by on the outside as the they approached Dunlop for the final time. Stubbs made a last minute charge at the line and drew up alongside Field, but it was Field who held on to take the win by a tiny margin of 8 hundredths of a second.

McDonald never relinquished his third place and was thrilled to take his best result of the series to date.

Andrews brought his Sabre home in fourth, followed by Webling, Neville, Gibson, Hardy, Reindler and Rundle.

Ryan Hellier crossed the line next, two tenths ahead of Martin. Poulsen, Lett and Locke rounded out the field.

Race 3

It was status quo once again for the leading duo of Stubbs and Field. In an almost carbon copy of race two, both drivers kept their driving clean and fast and edged away from the field to open a comfortable gap of a few seconds.

Graeme Rundle made a welcome return to Formula First at round 2. Photo: Tracy Harris Stubbs had driven cleverly in race two and was determined not to let Field take another win. Approaching Higgins corner for the last time, Field did not defend his line, so Stubbs went to the inside and took the lead. Field got the best run out of the corner and appeared to have Stubbs set up for a pass down the outside. Stubbs had other ideas however and positioned his car cleverly to keep Field behind for his first attempt at the pass. Field then switched direction and tried the other side but did not have enough momentum to make the pass before the two entered Dunlop.

One last ditch effort by Field almost resulted in contact, but Field backed out of it and Stubbs held on to take the win – much to the jubilation of the Sabre team.

McDonald had seemed to step up after race 2 and once again pulled away from his competition to finish not far behind Field. In fact he had been closing in on the leaders for the final few laps – and had run wide on the last turn avoiding Field as he pulled out of his passing attempt on Stubbs. Had McDonald not slid wide, Field’s position may have been under threat. McDonald was rewarded for his efforts with the fastest lap of the race – 1:24.231.

Stefan Webling was 3 seconds further back in fourth place, narrowly edging out Gibson and Andrews. The gap between the three - 9 hundredths of a second.

Simon Hardy finished in 7th, followed by Reindler, Neville, Rundle, Poulsen, Hellier, Lett and Locke.

Zayne Martin was the only retirement of the race.

With two rounds completed, Stubbs holds the points lead on 396, from Field on 392. Andrews is third with a score of 322

Round 3 takes place at Manfeild on the 12th August.