HOLMES SMASHES HIS WAY INTO THE ELITE @ ROUND 2

After a short break, the Vortex NZ Formula First championship field were welcome to the cathedral of speed, Pukekohe Park Raceway for round two of the series. The yearly spectacle that is Thunder in the Park was the event and the 18 strong field of Formula First challengers did just that over the race weekend.

Despite the new track layout, the qualifying session saw the regulars take the top spots, with reigning champ Rowan Shepherd taking the first sport, with Oliver Gordon sitting on P2. After a tough round one, Auckland’s Taylor Cockerton would have a positive start to the second round, placing the Safety Step machine on P3. Waiuku’s Cory Holmes would finish off the top four, putting himself in a premier spot for race one.

But the shock of the round would be the fact that series leader, Ryan Hellier would remove himself from competition after a serious engine issue was discovered. This put nearly everyone back in the game, opening the door for someone step into the limelight.

The first race of the weekend put any doubts about the new track layout hindering the excitement of Formula First to rest, as the entire 18 strong field would run within inches across the line for a majority of the race, creating a spectacle rarely seen in NZ motorsport these days.

As with any other race in the Vortex Formula First championship, the race was decided on the final lap. The quartet of Rowan Shepherd, Oliver Gordon, Cory Holmes and Taylor Cockerton would exit the hairpin for the final time neck and neck. Cockerton, sitting in the P2 spot, would miraculously make mega inroads on the leader, Rowan Shepherd. A missed gear would prove costly for the Hastings local, as Cockerton would gain the momentum over the hill, to draft his way to his inaugural victory of the season by a mere 0.071 seconds.

Arran Crighton, another rookie looking to make an impact, would storm as to seventh. The driver in the ex-Graeme Lett machine would make the comeback after falling as low as tenth with two to go. Sabre Motorsport’s Tim Fox and James Webb would follow behind, with Dave Scammell finishing out the top ten.

Ian Foster and Junior Drag racer Brody McConkey would finish 11/12th respectively, with Faine Kahia and Craig Greenwood the final drivers to make it across the line. Bob Dillow experienced ‘technical difficulties’ during the race, spearing off into the gravel trap, ending his streak of races finished – while Reid Harker and Nik Pervan would both retire with mechanical issues.

The second race of the weekend and it was another drama filled event, as right from the get-go, the Nik Pervan machine would bring out the safety car for two laps, shortening the window of opportunity for the race contenders. As the green flag waved, it was business as usual, as the wheel to wheel racing that defines Vortex Formula First resumed.

With three to go, an incident coming out of the hairpin between championship contenders Rowan Shepherd and David Ruthven would see Ruthven stalling due an accidental kill switch engagement and bringing out the yellows once again. This time though, due to finishing over 75 percent of the race, the event was called on lap six.

This meant the Cory Holmes would take maximum points for the race and more importantly, his first ever race win in Vortex Formula First. Taylor Cockerton would settle for second, with Oliver Gordon claiming the three spot.

Chris Symon would improve on his PB finish, with a fourth place and fifteen year old Brody McConkey would take the fifth overall place. Ian Foster and Faine Kahia would also place infront of NZ1 Rowan Shepherd, as despite making it back to fifth – the red flag meant the race would go back one lap, giving him an eighth overall finish.

Arran Crighton and James Webb would finish off the top ten, with Dave Scammell taking eleventh in Black Sunshine. Tim Fox would hold off Reid Harker and Craig Greenwood, with Bob Dillow just behind them. Manurewa’s David Ruthven would end the race at the back of the field, but crucially is marked as a finisher, giving him potentially important points for later in the season.

The final race of the round would add another twist to the already frantic weekend of Vortex Formula First racing. With the new for 2013 Reverse grid race in place, it saw the top contenders mid-pack and with the competitiveness of Formula First at the legendary PukekohePark raceway. A recipe for action, to say the least.

As the lights went out and the field headed around the circuit, it would be the new chicane on the back straight where one of the more intense accidents in recent history would occur. With the Championship contenders making their way through the field, a late braking manoeuvre by David Ruthven would go wrong – firing his machine into the right rear of 1NZ Rowan Shepherd. This would cause a chain reaction that would see cars go firing into the air and three of the contenders for the win out before the first lap had even completed.

Needless to say, the red flag was utilised and a sparse grid realigned on the front straight. But once the race resumed, it was all Cory Holmes. The Ardex/All Subaru Partsword SRC machine was utterly dominant during race three; with Holmes pulling away by himself whilst the drafting pack behind did their thing. By the end of the race, Holmes would cross the line a stunning five seconds ahead of his nearest contender, an ailing Rowan Shepherd.

Chris Symon would once again set a personal best finish of third overall, with Oliver Gordon and Ian Foster completing the top five. Kahia, Fox and Dave Scammell would finish ahead of the chasing Greenwood, McConkey and Dillow, who completed the field of finishers for race three.

With a long break until the new year, there’s plenty to be done for some of the contenders for the Vortex NZ Formula First championship. The question remains, will the shocking withdrawal of Ryan Hellier from Round 2 be vital in his championship chase? Or will it be a catalyst for a quick return to form at Taupo Motorsport Park. Come check out the answer during the January 4/5 weekend for round three!