HELLIER TAKES VICTORY IN 2015 1 HOUR RACE! Dillow/Smith Pair Win Dual Drive Section

Ryan Hellier has won this year’s Formula First 1 Hour race at Manfeild a race that was started in damp conditions after overnight rain.

Twelve drivers lined up for this year’s annual event to cap off the 2014/15 season. Six solo

entries and three dual drive entries faced the starter the drivers leaving the grid in a handicap start format based on the drivers season best lap times at Manfeild.

The first group of cars away consisted of Amy Smith, Robert Steven and Dave Scammell, the second group to start consisted of the dual drive cars of Nik Pervan in Ron Carters car, Brody McConkey and Bob Dillow who left as the lead group headed down the Denny Hulme straight.

The final group of cars to start consisted of Ryan Hellier, Brook Reeve and Ian Foster leaving the grid not far behind.

Race rules dictate Drivers had to make at least two pit stops for fuel taking on a minimum of 2 litres each stop, the dual drive entries also having to change drivers but not during re-fuelling meaning an extra stop further down the pit lane for these cars.

The early lead was held by Robert Steven with the rest of the pack slowly catching the first group as the laps ticked over. Solo drivers Ryan Hellier and Brook Reeve engaged in a close and exciting battle in the early laps as the field slowly closed up before the first of the pit stops began. These stops ended the battle between Hellier and Reeve separating the two on track and mixing the field up again.

The Dual drive cars started to make fuel and driver changes soon after with Bob Dillow the first to pit after twenty minutes for fuel and to swap the drive with Jacob Smith who would complete the remaining forty minute stint, this proved to be a winning tactic as the other dual drive cars decided to stay out longer to try and gain track position, Brody McConkey eventually swapping with last year’s Scholarship winner James Webb and Nik Pervan handing over the car to owner Ron Carter who would sadly retire 5 laps later with mechanical issues.

Smith rejoined as Hellier (a lap ahead on track) passed the pits, Smith catching Hellier down the back straight these two drivers then working together for the next 10 laps or so making use of slipstreaming passes down each straight to gain time and the advantage in their respective classes.

Final stops were made and Hellier after a lightning fast final fuel stop rejoined with a commanding lead in the solo class and cruised home to take the chequered flag and overall victory from a consistent Robert Steven (the Sabre boys doing a great job in the pits all race long) and Brook Reeve in third place. Next on track was Ian Foster closely followed home by the Dual Drive class winning car of Jacob Smith and Bob Dillow, next across the line was Amy Smith doing a great job in her first 1 hour race, the dual drive entry of Webb and McConkey was next home followed by Dave Scammell all just 1 lap down on the winner after the hour long race.

Final Results:

1. Ryan Hellier 41 Laps

2. Robert Stevens - 25.580

3. Brook Reeve - 55.556

4. Ian Foster - 1 Lap

5. Robert Dillow/Jacob Smith - 1 Lap

6. Amy Smith - 1 Lap

7. Brody McConkey/James Webb - 1 Lap

8. Dave Scammell - 1 Lap

DNF. Ron Carter/Nik Pervan retired with mechanical failure on lap 26.