HELLIER ON FORM OUT OF THE GATE - ROUND 1 REPORT

After months of developing and anticipating, the 2012/13 Weldwell New Zealand Formula First championship returned to one of the premier circuits in New Zealandover the weekend.

Manfeild Motorsport Park was the host for a somewhat shortened round one of the IRC series, culminating late Saturday night. Of course, the weather would have to come into play with a one day event – with torrential downpours throughout the day.

The qualifying session gave a hint to the contenders for the day, with last year’s title campaigners Ryan Hellier and Rowan Shepherd locking out the front row. Last year’s dark horse now full on contender, Oliver Gordon was also on the pace – with a refreshed David Ruthven landing in the fourth spot. Fifth would go to Waiuku’s Cory Holmes in an invigorated machine for the year.

The 2012/13 season sees two scholarship programmes within the Weldwell Formula First series, with Speedsport scholarship winner Aaron Marr looking to fulfil the history of that programme. The one whom is creating the history for future winners in the debut of the ScorpionRacecars Programme of Excellence, is thirteen year old Aucklander, Jacob Smith.

Marr was the one to watch during race one though, claiming five positions in the drying conditions, finishing third overall from a eighth spot grid start. Race one would also see the unfortunate end to Formula First Rookie Nik Pervan’s day, with DNF and a duo of DNS runs.

In the end, the battle for the win was between Hellier and Shepherd. With one to go, the classic formula first at Manfeild manoeuvre was underway – as Shepherd lined up Hellier on the back straight. Shepherd would finish the move on the start finish line to take race one of the weekend.

Race two saw the clouds open up, saturating the circuit with 100% pure NZ water. The now, shortened due to time constraints, six lap race was a battle of skill and car setup. Race one winner Rowan Shepherd, in the Inov8 machine, would see the race end in a shocking fashion. The Palmerston North local would DNF with a fuel pump failure. DNF’s are a rare sight in the Michael Shepherd Racing team, so the field can be sure it won’t be occurring again anytime soon.

This left title rival Ryan Hellier out on his own, creating a gap of over five seconds by the end of the race to take the victory. Oliver Gordon would take a personal best second overall, with Cory Holmes achieving a podium spot, another PB. Ruthven would finish fourth in the challenging conditions, with a returning legend of the class – Bramwell King finishing the top five.

Sixth would see another legend of the class, former Weldwell NZ Formula First champion and newly elected president, Ian Foster. Foster would just hold out Formula Ford Rookie of the year Michael Scott, with David Scammell just inches behind. Programme of Excellence runner Jacob Smith would claim his first top ten, just behind Speedsport scholarship’s Aaron Marr.

The final race of the…evening saw the circuit clear enough for the teams to run a full dry setup. Right from the first lap the race saw some aggression, with Dave Scammell locking up in a braking zone and right into Bramwell King, creating two non finishers for the evening. The third DNF for the race would see Cory Holmes out with an oil pressure issue.

With the initial drama of lap one out of the way, the top five would put on a clinic in close racing. Though leading initially, the #3 Inov8 machine of Rowan Shepherd would be overtaken by race two’s victor, Ryan Hellier. This would be how it ended, with Aaron Marr once again showcasing his racecraft, ahead of Scott and Gordon. The top five amazingly separated by under one second.

With only two weeks until Round 2 held at Ricoh Taupo Motorsport Park, a quick debrief will make way to the development race that is renowned within the Weldwell New Zealand Formula First class. Who will come out on top after round 2? Check out FormulaFirst.co.nz to find out.