Foster set top step it up a gear in Townsville

Nick Foster aboard the #13 Steeline Mygale

Steeline’s Nick Foster has used a conservative approach throughout the opening half of the 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, now he says that it’s time to step it up a gear!

Entering this weekend’s fifth round of the championship on the Townsville Street Circuit in North Queensland this second in the points standings Foster has got his sights firmly set on the points leader Chaz Mostert.

Mostert and Foster raced against each other during their entire careers in karting – a trend that has continued since they’ve made the progression into the Formula Ford ranks.

After shadowing Mostert over the past couple of rounds the 18 year-old is set to launch an attack for the championship with a more aggressive approach around the 2.86km street circuit this weekend.

“At the beginning of this year the aim was to see where I was at and after a couple of race wins I then wanted to settle down and keep posting points, now it’s time to be more aggressive again and chase more race wins,” said Foster.

“To challenge Chaz (Mostert) in the points I really need to beat him on track and to do that I think I’ve got to get some wins and go forward that way.”

With this weekend’s round being the first time that the Formula Ford category has competed in Townsville Foster believes the lessons he learnt while competing at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne earlier this year.

“From watching the V8s last year I think the track is a bit of a combination between Albert Park and the Adelaide Street Circuit,” said Foster.

“Some parts of it will be very fast and flowing while others are pretty technical, it is probably more like a permanent circuit than a street circuit – I can’t wait to get out there.”

Foster will take to the circuit for the first time aboard the Steeline Mygale tomorrow morning at 8:30am for the first of two practice sessions. Qualifying and the opening race will be contested on Saturday with Sunday’s action highlighted by a pair of races at 8:35am and 12:10pm.

2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship
Points Standings after Round 4 of 8
1. Chaz Mostert 149 points
2. Nick Foster 135
3. Geoff Uhrhane 119
4. Ash Walsh 118
5. Ryan Simpson 111
6. Adam Graham 92
7. Ben Jurczak 39
8. Andre Borell 38
9. Nathan Morcom 33
10. Tom Williamson 22

TOWNSVILLE STREET CIRCUIT DETAILS:
Circuit: Townsville Street Circuit
Location: Townsville, Qld
Circuit Length: 2.86 kilometres
2009 Attendance: 168,057 (three days)

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

Friday 9 July 2010
8:30am – 8:50am: Practice 1
12:10pm – 12:30pm: Practice 2

Saturday 10 July 2010
8:30am – 8:50am: Qualifying
11:25am – 11:45am Race 1

Sunday 11 July 2010
8:35am – 8:55am: Race 2
12:10pm – 12:30pm: Race 3

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

Saturday 7 August 2010 – on 7TWO
2:30pm – 3:00pm