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2009 Formula 3
Australian Drivers’ Championship
1. Joey Foster (Team BRM) 265
2. Tim Macrow (Scud Racing) 257
3. Mat Sofi (Astuti Motorsport / AmPro tools) 192
4. Ben Crighton (TanderSport) 151
F3 National Class
1. Tom Tweedie (Team Tom) 288
2. Graeme Holmes (GKH Powdercoating) 116
3. Jesse Wakeman (Chooks Custom Graphix) 116
4. Chris Gilmour (Gilmour Racing) 93
National “B” Class
Peter Kalpakiotis (Scud Racing) 77
For more information head to
www.formula3.com.au
pics
Dirk Klynsmith / F3A
and
F3A / Nathan Wong
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editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk
FOSTER AND EVANS CREATE A WEEKEND FOR THE RECORD BOOKS AT
SANDOWN
,
IN
 A
HISTORY MAKING WEEKEND, Joey Foster and Mitch Evans have taken Formula 3
Australian Drivers’ Championship glory at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne;
a dramatic turn of events delivering Foster the championship and Evans
the F3 SuperPrix season finale’.
Foster turned a three-point deficit to a seven-point victory in the
Australian Drivers’ Championship today by winning race one and finishing
second in the SuperPrix event, to seal the first ever back-to-back
titles for Team BRM and complete a remarkable recovery from serious
injury’s sustained in Germany several years ago.
15-year-old Mitch Evans, meanwhile, became the youngest ever winner of
an Australian Formula 3 and Gold Star race as he flew to a stunning
victory in wet conditions in this afternoons 22-lap F3 SuperPrix.
In the space of just a few seasons Cornwall (UK) driver Foster has gone
from a badly broken back after an F3 crash on a German Superspeedway, to
winning Australia’s premier Open-Wheel award and the Australian Drivers
Championship title and the status as a CAMS Gold Star winner.
With James Winslow winning in 2008, It was the first time in Gold Star
history that British drivers have won the title in consecutive years,
the first time a Team BRM driver has won it in consecutive years and a
remarkable result in a season that saw the remarkably evenly matched
Foster and Tim Macrow win seven races each.
“When you look back three or four years ago, to where I was, it feels
amazing to be here today as a championship winner,” Foster said.
“It has been an incredible season. Thanks go to the team because they
have done a great job all year and it’s fantastic to be able to deliver
them back-to-back titles for the first time. Tim (Macrow) has been a
great rival all year and it’s been good to have such a close fight all
season long. It’s been hugely challenging and the year had its ups and
downs, but it’s all come together today.
“I’m very relieved, happy and looking forward to celebrating this one!”
he said.
Tim Macrow finished second in the championship after struggling for
straight-line speed this weekend, finishing second in race one this
morning and fourth in the SuperPrix.
In his customary fighting and aggressive style the Victorian-based 2007
Gold Star winner did what he could but his car lacked the outright punch
of the Team BRM Dallara’s at Sandown today. Macrow finishes his third
full season in the Gold Star as the series most successful driver ever,
with 14 race wins and more than 35 career podiums to his credit.
15-year-old New Zealander Mitch Evans, a standout in Formula Fords this
year, trailed teammate Foster and Macrow’s Scud Racing Dallara in the
early stages of the SuperPrix before a bold and adventurous move saw him
tow up behind Macrow mid-race and pass him for second.
He then set about chasing down Foster and managed to slip by the
would-be champion with just a few laps remaining.
Evans then maintained his composure to lead Foster home for a Team BRM
1-2 in an exciting race, Mat Sofi passing Macrow just two laps from home
to finish the SuperPrix third after starting from pole position.
The race was held in challenging conditions, rain falling before the
start and then again during the race making life difficult for the
field. Several drivers were caught up in the conditions and the race was
segmented by a pair of safety car periods.
At 15, Evans has again written himself into the record books and
accepted the John Bowe Trophy – presented to the SuperPrix winner each
year – from outgoing Formula 3 board member James Rosenberg.
“It’s quite an honour to accept this trophy and to know I’ve won a race
in the Gold Star,” Evans said.
“It was a challenging race but I actually felt more confident in the
heavier conditions than when it wasn’t as wet so I was feeling fairly
confident. I was careful when I was getting past Joey as I didn’t want
to make contact with a team mate and from there I was able to hold on
and win the race.
“I’m really pleased and the team have done an awesome job, so thanks to
them for their work. It’s been a great weekend.”
Behind today’s
winners there were mixed stories from Sandown, several having up and
down weekends that either ended well or below expectations.
 TanderSport
were one to have a mixed day, Ben Crighton showing plenty of pace in the
first race to record his first ever fastest lap – despite slipping down
the order after a lap one spin.
West Aussie driver Bryce Moore’s stunning F3 debut was perhaps
overshadowed by that of Evans, however the driver of TanderSport’s
National Class car did plenty to impress this weekend including winning
the National Class in the F3 SuperPrix.
Tom Tweedie – already the National Class champ – won race one this
morning to end his season having 12 class wins to his credit.
Kristian Lindbom was another to have an impressive F3 debut, finishing
second in class on both occasions.
Full Championship Points:
GOLD STAR DOWN TO THE WIRE AGAIN FOLLOWING COMPETITIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL
SENDOFF AT ORAN PARK
 TIM
Macrow will lead the Formula 3 Australian Driver’s championship into the
2009 finale’ at Sandown – one way or another – after coming out on top
after a competitive and controversial pair of races at Oran Park.
It was a spectacular sendoff to top level, wings and slicks racing at
the Narellan circuit, the final race drawing to a close an important
chapter in Australia’s premier open wheel formula.
Oran Park has played a critical role in the successes of Australia’s top
open wheel drivers, and it will be Tim Macrow who forever holds the
distinction of being the last ever Gold Star race winner at the circuit.
Macrow won race two but both 14-lap races were dramatic, competitive
and, in some instances, highly controversial.
The race one results will remain provisional following an appeal that
will be held prior to the final round of the championship in November.
From pole, Macrow got the best start in race one and led Foster and Sofi
into turn one, where all hell promptly broke loose.
A collision between Roger I’Anson, Ben Crighton and Tom Tweedie left the
latter two out of the race within 500 meters of the start. Chris Gilmour
was also involved but lived to fight another day and eventually
recovered to fourth outright and first of the National Class cars.
After a brief safety car period, Joey Foster got a run on Macrow and
passed him into turn two for the race lead on the restart.
On lap seven Sofi got a run on Macrow out of turn three, drawing nearly
alongside at the following corner before the two made contact, sending
Macrow into a spin – though he was able to recover quickly with little
time lost.
Sofi then set out after leader Foster and, on the eleventh lap, closed
on him over the dogleg.
Attempting a passing maneuver into the final corner, the two cars made
contact with Foster spinning to the outside of the circuit – though
avoiding contact with the wall – with Sofi continuing to eventually take
the checquered flag first.
Foster finished second and Macrow third however, following a stewards
hearing after the race, Sofi was penalized by race officials 33 seconds
(the equivalent of a drive through penalty) for the contact with Foster
in the final corner, relegating him to fourth outright and third of the
championship class runners.
Sofi later appealed the decision so, though the amended results will
show Foster taking the win, the entire race results – and points
standings - will remain provisional until a hearing is conducted prior
to the finale’ at Sandown.
There was no respite for teams in race two either, the second race
red-flagged after one racing lap when Chris Gilmour was T-boned by Maher
Algadri after the Queenslander spun exiting the final corner.
Though both drivers were uninjured – if a little sore – the race was red
flagged to allow the cleanup.
Shortened to twelve laps, race two was restarted with Macrow leading a
slightly more sedate battle over Sofi – who didn’t get the best of
starts from pole position – Crighton and Foster.
The status quo remained until Joey Foster dived up the inside of Ben
Crighton, at turn two, on the eleventh lap. Side by side, the pair made
contact in an impact that jumped Foster into the air and ended
Crighton’s positive run in third place.
Thus, the New Zealander scored zero points for the weekend, extending
the gap between himself and Mat Sofi for third in the title race.
Foster was able to limp home in seventh (third in championship class)
whilst Macrow held of Sofi to take his seventh win of the year and the
final ever F3 and Australian Driver’s Championship race at Oran Park.
The results of race two will also remain provisional as a further
investigation will be conducted into the Foster – Crighton incident when
TV footage becomes available to race officials.
Local driver Tom Tweedie finished third outright for the second time
this season in his National Class, Battery World supported Dallara.
With the provisional results, Macrow will take a four point lead into
the final round at Sandown, leading Foster 232 – 228.
The Melbournian was justifiably pleased with the final race win, noting
both his and his family’s successes at Oran Park.
“It’s a great result,” He said. “This place has been very good to me
with wins here in 2006 and sealing the title in 2007. I also won here in
Formula Ford so to be able to win my last ever race here – and the last
ever Gold Star race – is pretty significant.
“It’s crucial for us in the championship. Either way the appeal hearing
goes, at Sandown we will be leading as the results don’t change that
much.
“To have caught up as much as we have is a testament to the team that we
have this year, but the battle starts here.
“Either way I’m less than the difference between first and second in one
race ahead of Joey, so it’s going to be very competitive and we will go
and fight for the title as we did in 2007.”
Foster said he was relieved with the results after a challenging weekend
saw him battling hard after struggling for pace earlier in the weekend.
“To be honest, I’m quite relieved given the weekend we have had,” Foster
said.
“The championship is really close so we’ll go and fight as hard as I can
at Sandown. It’s good for the championship to be this close – perhaps
not as much for me!
“It’s a shame race two was red flagged because I got a great start from
fifth to second – but that was all ended when the stopped the race.
Still, it’s a good weekend for us and we’ll now try to fight for the
title at Sandown.”
 Tom
Tweedie was pleased to score a National class win on home turf whilst
South Aussie driver Roger I’Anson scored an impressive second in class
after mixing it with the best of the National Class all weekend.
Bevan Carrick and Graeme Holmes each scored a top-five finish.
Race 1 Results
(Amended Following 33 second / drive through penalty for #2)
(PROVISIONAL PENDING APPEAL)
1 Joey Foster
2 Tim Macrow
3 Chris Gilmour
4 Mathew Sofi
5 Bevan Carrick
6 Graeme Holmes
7 Maher Algadri
8 Roger I’Anson
9 Peter Kalpakiotis
10 Ben Crighton (DNF)
11 Tom Tweedie (DNF)
Race 2 Results
(PROVISIONAL PENDING INVESTIGATION)
1 Tim Macrow
2 Mathew Sofi
3 Tom Tweedie
4 Roger I'Anson
5 Graeme Holmes
6 Bevan Carrick
7 Joey Foster
8 Ben Crighton (DNF)
9 Peter Kalpakiotis (DNF)
10 Chris Gilmour (DNF)
11 Maher Algadri (DNF)
GOLD STAR
BATTLE TIED UP AS INTENSITY GOES UP A NOTCH AT QR
 THE
FIGHT for the 2009 Formula 3 Australian Driver’s Championship has
reached a new level of intensity after two race wins under the
Queensland sun lifted Tim Macrow to the joint-lead of the points race
with Joey Foster.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Sydney driver Tom Tweedie wrapped up the F3
National Class for 2004-spec cars after taking two class wins today,
capping off a remarkable season that has seen him win his class ten
times from twelve races.
The ever growing outright battle between Cornwall (UK) driver Foster and
Victorian Macrow – and also their respective teams, Team BRM and Scud
Racing – reached its zenith in race one this morning as the pair staged
an almighty duel for the win.
Macrow eventually fought off attack after attack by Foster to record the
victory and then backed it up with a more straightforward drive in the
second race to take out both 12-lap affairs, the first time he has ever
won both races in an F3 round during his glittering career.
A pair of seconds, coupled with his race one pole position, was enough
to ensure that Foster retains a share of the championship lead as the
Gold Star fight heads to Oran Park in just five days time.
“It was a great weekend for us, really the ideal result,” Macrow said.
“Race one was intense. At one stage I ran off the track at turn two and
was bouncing through the dirt but there was no way I was going to lift!
"That little trip broke the suspension at the back and made the car
really hard to get off the corners which left me open to attack so it
was a huge challenge, but in the end we got the result. I nailed both
starts – that was a huge help. The car was fantastic all weekend and
performed well during both races so well done to the team for their hard
work. With Oran Park next week the pressure will remain on but we have
never lost sight that we could win this thing. Now we’re tied up its
back to square one and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Though Foster twice finished second, he at least agreed with Macrow that
the quest for the title really started now. “It’s obvious that we would
have liked to have got more points from this weekend, but that’s the way
it is,” Foster said.“It was a really tough weekend. Race one was just a
tough battle with Tim the whole way. There was only one move when I
thought perhaps he moved more than he should have at turn one – but
we’re both racing for a championship so we are both pushing very hard.
It is on from here and we’re looking forward to going to Oran Park next
week.”
Macrow got a perfect start in race one and led Foster to turn one
however, once his Kumho rubber was warm, Foster began applying
relentless pressure to the back of the #25 Scud Racing machine.
The pair ran side by side though turns three, four and five early in the
race and were also alongside each other into the near-flat, 5th gear
turn one as both cars got air over the notorious QR bumps during a
remarkable battle.
With every attack the Team BRM Dallara threw at Macrow, the Scud Racer
responded by placing his car in the ideal location and holding his
closest rival for the Gold Star off.
Behind the warring two fighting for the lead, Mat Sofi and Ben Crighton
each scored a podium finish and continued their close dice for third in
the championship. Crighton passed Sofi for third in race one and was on
course for a similar result in race two - before he ran wide and damaged
the underside of his car, costing him car speed and the position.
Sofi finished third in race two and set fastest lap in the process in a
case of ‘what could have been’ for his weekend after enduring dramas in
Friday practice, and then in qualifying when a rear suspension mount
broke away from the gearbox, necessitating a last-minute change
overnight.
 In
the F3 National class the most competitive field of the weekend still
had to face the ever impressive Tom Tweedie, who wrapped up the class
this weekend.
Chris Gilmour led the class in race one before a mysterious mechanical
issue struck the #17 car down just one corner from the flag, allowing
16-year-old Rio Haryanto through. Haryanto was looking good for a strong
result in race two before he was given a black flag and a drive through
penalty for jumping the start whilst Gilmour again failed to finish.
In the National ‘B’ Class for 2001-spec cars Queenslander Andrew Mill,
the 2008 Trophy Champion, showed impressive pace in his Scarborough
Holiday Parks F301 – Spiess, mixing it on lap speed with the National
Class contenders.
UK-based South African driver Peter Kalpakiotis finished second on two
occasions on his visit to Australia to race.
BREAKTHROUGH FOR SOFI AT HOME TRACK AS MACROW CUTS SERIES LEAD
 LIKE
MARK WEBBER one week ago, Sydney driver Mathew Sofi waited until the
right moment to ensure that his first win came in appropriate style.
That was the case today at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway as Sofi took
his career-first Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship race win,
after fifty-one attempts before today failed to bring him to the top
step of the podium.
And like former F3-racer Webber, Sofi’s maiden triumph came in stunning
fashion as he made a “Perfect” start from second on the grid to dominate
race nine of the season, leading championship frontrunners Joey Foster
and Tim Macrow to the line.
In race two, Tim Macrow made up for a slow start earlier in the day by
launching perfectly to take a light-to-flag win and cut the championship
lead from 20 points to just 11 with six races remaining in the 2009
season.
But it was Sofi’s win in race one that stole most of the attention
today, the 23-year-old breaking his F3 winning duck in emphatic fashion.
“It’s about time, about time for sure,” Sofi beamed. “The AmPro Tools
car was perfect. Once I got the gap on the first few laps I just tried
to be consistent and bring it home. It’s just great and such a relief.
“So much effort has gone into this over the last year and a half.
Everyone has just worked so hard to make it happen and I knew we had as
good a shot as any this weekend. Huge thanks to Sam (Astuti) and the
team, they have been superb,” he said. “Huge thanks to all my sponsors
and supporters this year, and also thanks to the family for their
ongoing support; I think it’s even more emotional for them than it is
for me!"
Behind Sofi, Joey Foster made a rocketing start from fourth to finish
second, fending off both Tim Macrow and Ben Crighton for the duration of
the race, the three finishing in close company.
 In
race two Macrow made a perfect start and, after fending off an early
challenge from Sofi’s Dallara, extended his lead to four seconds to take
win number four for the season and his 11th career success.
“That (race two) was much better, right from the start,” Macrow said.
“The car was fast in race one but the start cost us track position and
it’s very difficult to pass here. We knew we were fast and setting the
best lap in race one proved that – so it was nice to get a good jump and
go on with it in race two.
“Really, this was the ideal race for us with Joey finishing fourth – it
closes the championship right up between us now.”
Foster, who started fourth for both of today’s races, stalled at the
beginning of race two and was forced to work his way through the field
to finish in the same position he started – scoring the quickest lap and
an additional bonus point in the process.
 TanderSport
driver Ben Crighton was one of the stars of the race, towing up behind
Mat Sofi mid-way though before pulling off a daring and on-the-edge turn
one pass at 250km/hr, elevating from third to his eventual second-placed
finish with one of the best moves of the year to date.
It was Crighton’s career best race result after a weekend that proved
the TanderSport Dallara is now a regular contender for the top spots,
all weekend long.
In the F3 National Class Tom Tweedie continued his dominating run and
further extended his imposing class lead, continuing to niggle the
outright frontrunners in his Battery World / Team Tom Dallara.
South Australian driver Jesse Wakeman’s weekend was ruined with
fuel-pressure related problems in his Chooks Custom Graphics / Waeco R-Tek
Dallara, relegating him to the back of the field in race one and to the
garage mid way though race two.
Graeme Holmes and Maher Algadri finished sixth, and seventh respectively
in today’s two races.
TanderSport won the Meguiar’s Best Presented award whilst Graeme Holmes
won a “supporting” contingency award presented by Team Tom supporters
Battery World.
FOSTER
AND MACROW GO WHEEL TO WHEEL AT WINTON
 For
the third round in succession, Joey Foster and Tim Macrow have shared
the glory in a round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship
for the CAMS Gold Star.
The pair fought out out a stunning first race today at Winton raceway as
the series made its return to the Benalla circuit for the first time
since 2004. Never split by more than a second in a pressure-cooker race,
the pair drew side-by-side mid way though the 14-lap duration before
Macrow was able to sweep though to convert his race one pole to a win,
his third of the year.
In the best race of the season, both drivers admitted to pushing their
cars to the limit in an effort to pressure one another into a mistake at
the notoriously difficult to pass, 3.0km circuit.
In race two Foster lead from start to finish in a more mundane affair to
return serve to Macrow and even the round's ledger at the series’
half-way point.
The buffer from the Team BRM driver to Macrow now stands at 20 points as
the series moves to Eastern Creek in July.
“It was very tough to pass here and after race one I knew the start in
the second race would be absolutely critical,” Foster said following his
race two triumph.
“Fortunately I got the start and just had to push hard to keep the
margin to Tim and not make a mistake. It’s very competitive at the
moment and there was absolutely nothing between us all weekend. I’m
looking forward to Eastern Creek because Team BRM has a great car there
so hopefully it’s a good weekend.
“It’s nice to have a handy buffer in the championship but in one race it
can all turn around so we need to keep the pressure on,” He said.
Macrow’s race one triumph was arguably the best of his Formula 3 career,
withholding immense pressure from his points rival for the entire
duration to score his 10th career win and 32nd career championship
podium.
“I got a great start in race one,” Macrow grinned. “It was a really,
really tough race – and a really great race too. The pressure was on the
whole way though and Joey was just relentless which made it very
challenging. As we saw in race two it is so tough to pass here so I knew
if I could go mistake free I could hold him off. It was a sensational
race, one of my best.
“It was good to get the solid points in race two and we’re still right
in it. We need a double win but it’s so competitive, so we’ll see how
things go at Eastern Creek,” he added.
 Behind
the two duelling leaders TanderSport driver Ben Crighton(right)
had a highly consistent weekend to score two podium finishes, and leap
from fourth to third in the championship standings.
The New Zealand driver now sits within 30 points of Macrow in second
place and said that despite some issues he was pleased with his
consistency this weekend.
“We got good points this weekend,” Crighton said.
“The car was good on cold tyre pace which was pleasing, and it’s always
nice to get a couple of podiums.”
AmPro Tools / Astuti Motorsport driver Mat Sofi had a horrible weekend,
failing to finish the first race after light contact with Tom Tweedie –
which in turn came after a slow start dropped him down the field.
In race two Sofi understeered off the circuit at the start and was
forced to charge though the field, eventually gaining ground to score
fourth-placed points.
In the F3 National Class Battery World driver Tom Tweedie extended his
championship margin and continued to mix it with the later-specification
Dallara’s that make up the championship class. The Sydneysider was
involved in a competitive dice with both Crighton and Sofi in race two
in what was a strong weekend.
Jesse Wakeman continued his learning curve to get closer to the leading
curve on his first visit to the Winton circuit, consolidating his
second-placed position in the national class standings, whilst Maher
Algadri and Rod Anderson both had solid weekends.
CHAMPIONSHIP CHANGED AS
MACROW CLOSES IN AT THE ISLAND
 THE
ENTIRE complexion of the 2009 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship
changed today within the space of about ten seconds.
Heading into the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuits’ Southern loop on
the first lap of race two, Mat Sofi was hit from behind by championship
leader Joey Foster – a winner earlier in the day – in a crash that put
the Brit out of the race and left Sofi at the back of the field, one lap
behind.
With Foster out, up front Scud Racing driver Tim Macrow streaked to his
second win of the season and scythed the championship lead in half as
the fight for the Gold Star approaches its half way point.
Macrow had earlier finished a safe second in a wet opening race and,
coupled with two bonus points for qualifying and the race two quickest
lap, now sits just 18 points as the series takes a five-week break
before round four at Winton.
 Macrow’s
ninth win lifted him to fifth on the all time winners list for
Australian Formula 3, and his two podiums see him leave Phillip Island
with more top three race results than any other driver.
“I have to say that I wasn’t hugely disappointed when I saw Joey’s car
in the sand trap after one lap of race two,” Macrow joked.
“The car was very good this weekend. The team has done a great job and
in the dry the car was sensational. We made a wrong call in the wet but
made up for that in the dry race.
“It’s been a really, really good weekend overall and we’ve closed the
championship gap. We have made a step forward with the car and it’s
getting better and better and more suited to my driving style.
“This weekend has put us in a very good place for Winton in June.”
Foster was pleased with his dominating, 20-second race one victory in
the rain but said that race two was a simple misjudgement, though his
handy championship buffer prior to the round has softened the blow to
his series’ lead.
“The car was fantastic in race one and it was good to get the win – we
needed those points with what happened in race two but we still have a
good lead so I’m looking forward to Winton.”
Foster took the lead during the first lap of race one after making a
slow start and after that he was never headed, dominating the race
seemingly at ease to record a crushing win. Race two was much more
competitive, with Tim shaded by a pair of TanderSport cars after the
opening lap dramas eliminated Sofi and Foster from the running.
As such, Ben Crighton scored his career-best result with second in race
two and finished just two seconds behind Macrow, whilst AmPro Tools
driver Mat Sofi was the third-placed championship car in both races to
remain well in contention with the top two contenders in the standings.
In the F3 National Class Leanne Tander took a perfect score away from
her return weekend to the category by winning her class in both races,
scoring two pole positions and two fastest laps. Tom Tweedie
consolidated his class lead by finishing second in race two.
pics
Dirk Klynsmith / F3A
MACROW AND FOSTER SHARE
THE SPOILS AT WAKEFIELD WINTER WONDERLAND
 ROUND
TWO of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ championship should have had
the slogan ‘anything you can do...' as a marketing tagline, based on the
results from an intriguing day of racing at a freezing Wakefield Park in
New South Wales.
Former champion Tim Macrow delivered Scud Racing an emotional first ever
championship class win in race one after pole sitter Joey Foster ran
wide at turn two, on the opening lap, leaving Tim to take advantage.
But later in the afternoon BRM driver Foster (pictured left leading
Mat Sofi) took his revenge and crushed the field to win by over
eight seconds, to further extend his championship lead after four of
sixteen races in the ’09 Gold Star campaign.
The event was also a fitting tribute for the late Graham Watson, with
rookie F3 driver Tom Tweedie performing brilliantly in both races to mix
it with the outright runners on more than one occasion.
Both F3ADC races were also preceded by solo laps from a classic RALT RT4
driven by former Gold Star driver Neil McFadyen, as a tribute to the
former Gold Star winner.
In freezing cold, windy and often damp conditions race one began with
Foster and second-placed Mat Sofi running wide at turn two, allowing Tim
Macrow
 to
take a lead he would never loose. Adding insult to injury, Foster was
then penalised for rolling at the start and took a drive-through pit
lane for his troubles.
Macrow led home Mat Sofi and a recovering Foster to take his ninth
career race win and first since the final race of his championship
winning year in 2007.
“(Race one) was a case of taking advantage of the two guys running wide
in front and then making sure that I maintained the lead,” a pleased
Macrow said.
“Really it’s just great to give Bill (Maddocks, team owner) and the boys
a win for all their hard work and dedication. Bill has given so much to
the category so to be able to reward him with a win is sensational. The
championship points are nice to have as well!”
“It feels brilliant,” beamed Bill Maddocks, who formed Scud Racing
before F3 even came into being over ten years ago and himself won the F3
Trophy-class title.
“Timmy and the guys have done the job and made the most of the
situation. I can’t wait for the rest of the year but it’s great to get
the monkey off the back and get that win we were so close to on more
than one occasion last year.”
The first race was cut four laps short of its scheduled 20-lap duration
after Ben Crighton suffered a punctured right-rear tyre and beached the
car at turn four.
Foster led from start-to-finish in race two and, despite a safety-car
mid race (due to a turn-one off from Jesse Wakeman into the sand), was
able to win by over eight seconds in a commanding performance. Foster
has now extended his series lead to 26 points.
“It was a good comeback,” he said. “I just rolled slightly at the start
(of race one) and after the drive through it was just too big a gap to
recover so I went after the bonus point for fastest lap, and the podium.
“It was fantastic to win race two. The car was good and I just focussed
on building a buffer over everyone else and brining it home.
Championship points were the aim and we’ve got them.”
Mat Sofi took his AmPro tools Dallara to second in both races to record
his best overall weekend result, and vault to a solid second in the
championship race. Sofi’s stunning Day-Glo orange and white livery also
won the Meguiar’s best presented award for the round.
After his failure to finish in race one, Ben Crighton (TanderSport) was
impressive in the second and worked his way to third position – his
first career podium in the F3ADC. Macrow finished a solid fourth.
In the F3 National Class Tom Tweedie (below)
was at his dominant best and scored the maximum number of points – but
said that mixing it with the later model championship class cars was a
satisfying highlight.
“It’s been a very good weekend,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a
bit more competition at Phillip Island but it was nice to race here with
some of the F307 cars and we weren’t giving that much away.”
Joey Foster has now scored 80 championship points, with Mat Sofi (54)
leading Tim Macrow (45) and Ben Crighton (40) and the ever-consistent
Ray Chamberlain, on 30.
FOSTER FINISHES A PERFECT
WEEKEND WITH SECOND WIN
MANY
FORMULA 3 Australian Drivers championship records have been broken in
the past few seasons, but one – a perfect score of 44 points in a
weekend – has resisted challenge since 2005. Until, that is, now.
With a second-race win, a fastest lap and the pole position Joey Foster
today completed the first F3 round ‘clean sweep’ since Aaron Caratti
achieved the feat at Phillip Island in August 2005. Team BRM driver
Foster has now rocketed to a clear championship lead in the process,
leading teammate Mathew Radisich 44 points to 25.
After wining yesterday, Foster led from lights to flag in today’s 12-lap
affair to beat Tim Macrow to the line by over six seconds. Mat Sofi
finished third, Mathew Radisich fourth and Tom Tweedie fifth.
“It’s been an absolutely perfect start,” Foster said. “From the moment I
turned up and got in the car it has been perfect. We have had to make a
few alterations just to keep up with the changing conditions but apart
from that it’s been basically trouble free.
“I had no idea where I would be,” he added. “I’d never driven a street
track before – LeMans is so different – so I just didn’t know what to
expect.
“It was competitive this weekend and I’m sure it will get better. I’ve
got to go out and learn all the tracks this year which is going to be a
challenge and a half. I’m sure that guys like Tim and Mat will put up a
huge challenge. I can’t wait.”
Macrow’s second place was made more impressive given the efforts taken
to rebuild the #25 Scud Racing car after yesterday’s race one crash.
With an engine, gearbox and rear suspension assembly borrowed from Team
BRM, the Scud Racing team worked until 11pm Saturday night to rebuild
the car and ensure that it would start today. Though it handled
differently to the first race, Macrow’s drive ensured he wouldn’t leave
Adelaide empty handed.
“To be on the grid today is a bit of a surprise given what happened
yesterday,” said Macrow. “The crash wasn’t actually all that big but
when we pulled the car down we found out the damage was much worse and
that it had damaged the engine.
“Thanks to BRM we got a whole rear end and that got us on the grid. My
guys did a fantastic job to get the car on the grid, working into the
night; I can’t thank them enough and I can’t thank Bill Maddocks enough
for this opportunity to get in the car.
“It was all a bit of a last minute deal but hopefully we can get some
funding and give Joey a really good shake this year.”
AmPro Tools / Astuti Motorsport driver Mat Sofi was third today, holding
off a concerted attack from Radisich for most of the race. The result
gave Sofi enough points to sit third in the championship after the first
round – with the promise of more to come.
Tom Tweedie again won the F3 National Class, despite a stunning start
from defending champion Chris Gilmour that saw the field momentarily
four-wide off the start.
After an early battle, Tweedie was able to pull away from Gilmour and
completed his strong F3 debut by finishing fifth outright, to back up
his third place yesterday.
“It’s an excellent start to my Formula 3 career,” Tweedie said.
“We could have expected anything more than this – in fact we didn’t come
here with any real expectations at all. It was my first time at Clipsal,
first time racing an F3 car and we’ve come out of it with a real
positive.”
Local driver Jesse Wakeman sits third in the National Class championship
after finishing third in class, and eighth outright..
FOSTER WINS AFTER MACROW CRASHES FROM THE LEAD IN
DRAMATIC GOLD STAR OPENER
 JOEY
FOSTER has won the first race of the 2009 Formula 3 Australian Drivers
Championship for the CAMS Gold Star after Tim Macrow crashed from the
lead two-thirds of the way though the race.
Macrow, driving the #25 Scud Racing Dallara, made a perfect start and
led the field into turn one and pulled away from Foster’s Team BRM
Dallara in the early laps to assume a lead of just over a second by half
race distance.
As the two leaders traded sector times, Macrow ran off line at turn 11
towards the end of the eighth lap and made contact with the wall –
ending his storming drive and handing the lead and the subsequent race
victory to the Cornish driver.
Foster settled at the end of the race and led home teammate Mathew
Radisich to give Team BRM a 1-2 in front of a massive home-town crowd.
“It is bloody excellent to win here,” Foster grinned after taking an
early Gold Star title lead.
“Tim’s car was very good in the opening laps but mine was coming on as
the race progressed. I’m sure we would have had a fantastic battle for
the rest of the race if he had stayed where he was. We had a small
steering issue in the opening laps but when I realised it wouldn’t get
any worse the car just seemed to get better and better as the race went
on.”
Macrow’s car suffered damage to the rear suspension, front wing and
engine mounts despite the relatively light contact with the wall. Team
BRM has generously offered the team a replacement engine, gearbox and
rear suspension assembly to ensure that the car makes the grid tomorrow,
the team set to work into the night to make the repairs.
“For seven laps we showed where we are at – well and truly a front
runner,” Tim Macrow said.
“It’s really disappointing that I crashed. I just ran a bit wide and
dropped a wheel off and that pulled me off the circuit. The car was
fantastic until then but that was as hard as I could drive it. BRM have
been great to give us the bits we need to get back out tomorrow. It
won’t be perfect but we’ll be there and try to give it the best shot and
get some points.”
Mat Radisich scored his career best performance to finish second,
sporing new signage from No Fear and DBA on his Dallara this weekend.
“I got a great start and jumped to third,” Radisich beamed. “From there
I just tried to maintain the gap to the leaders and tried to keep the
buffer I had to Tweedie and Sofi behind me. It was a fantastic race,
really good fun. It was also great – though a bit of luck – to be able
to give Team BRM a 1-2 finish.”
A stunning third outright on his F3 Debut was Tom Tweedie, who became
just the second driver in F3A history to place a National Class car on
an outright race podium – Tim Macrow and Karl Reindler, both former
champions, having achieved the feat last year.
Tweedie has secured last minute support from Battery World this weekend
and welcomed the new sponsor to the sport in the best possible way.
“To be honest, I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet!” Tweedie – the youngest
driver (20) on the grid this weekend – said.
“The car was fantastic. I got a good start which was pleasing given it
was my first in an F3 car. It’s just a fantastic result and I’m really
happy for the team, especially for Graham (Watson, Ralt team boss) who
only got out of hospital this morning.”
A flu-ridden Mat Sofi finished fourth, ahead of Chris Gilmour, Ben
Crighton and local lad Jesse Wakeman, whilst Graeme Holmes and Ray
Chamberlain were next.
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