Foster aims to continue form at Winton

Championship leader Nick Foster

Current Australian Formula Ford Championship series points leader Nick Foster is determined to keep his Steeline Mygale at the front of the pack as the series hits Winton Motor Raceway in rural Victoria this weekend.

Foster leads the series standings by nine points after two rounds, just ahead of long-time rival Chaz Mostert. The two Queenslanders have been rivals since they were both seven years of age starting their careers in karting.

The 18-year-old is pleased to be atop the points standings in this early part of the season, but he knows that there is still a long season ahead.

At the previous round at Queensland Raceway, Foster made a costly mistake in the first race of the weekend, spinning his Steeline Mygale and losing ground to the lead pack.

The error stirred Foster and from that point on he drove faultlessly, winning the two remaining races of the round.

At Winton this weekend, the test track for Foster’s Sonic Motor Racing team, the driver from Brisbane wants to maintain his front-running pace while producing an error-free weekend to continue to apply pressure to his championship rivals.

WHAT NICK HAD TO SAY …

NICK FOSTER – #13 Steeline Mygale SJ10a:

“The priority for the first part of the season has been to rack up a lot of championship points,” said Nick Foster.

“So to be getting race wins and to be leading the points after two rounds is definitely a great start to the season.

“We need to press on now and make sure that we can keep the momentum going from round to round.

“Winton is the test track for our Sonic team so we will have a good idea of a base set-up for the #13 Steeline Mygale for the start of the weekend.

“We’ve got to make sure that we have the pace to run at the front and you have to make sure you don’t make mistakes to ensure that you stay at the front.

“At Queensland we made a good recovery after a poor start. It shows what you can do if you keep pressing on but I’m really keen to minimise the mistakes and keep a consistent pace going.

“I’ve raced at Winton before and I think most of the field is in the same boat. With all the drivers and teams having a good idea of the circuit it means the racing should be tough and close and you will have to be on top of your game if you want to win.”

2010 Ford Genuine Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship
Championship Standings After Round 2 of 8
1. Nick Foster 58 points
2. Chaz Mostert 49
3. Adam Graham 42
4. Ben Jurczak 38
5. Ryan Simpson 36
6. Nathan Morcom 32
7. Andre Borell 32
8. Geoff Uhrhane 31
9. Ash Walsh 28
10. Tom Williamson 8

WINTON MOTOR RACEWAY DETAILS:
Circuit: Winton Motor Raceway
Location: Winton, Victoria
Circuit Length: 3.00 kilometres
Format: x3 10-lap races
2009 Attendance: 61,882 (three days)

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Times below are Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 10 hours)

Friday 14 April 2010
9:50am – 10:10am: Practice 1
12:50pm – 1:10pm: Practice 2

Saturday 15 May 2010
10:40am – 11:05am: Qualifying
1:10pm – 1:25pm: Race 1 – 10 laps

Sunday 16 May 2010
10:55am – 11:10am: Race 2 – 10 laps
3:15pm – 3:30pm: Race 3 – 10 laps

AUS TELEVISION SCHEDULE – SEVEN NETWORK
Times subject to amendment – please check local guides

Saturday 29 May 2010 – on 7TWO
2:00pm – 3:00pm (Ipswich and Winton highlights)