Round 6: Hampton Downs Preview

Hampton Downs aerial

Reece Hendl-Cox’s incredible run of results in the Hi-Q Components NZ Formula First came to a grinding halt at the previous round of the championship. Round five of the series took place a fortnight ago at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon and after taking six of the last seven race wins, Hendl-Cox failed to notch up another win. 

Even worse for Hendl-Cox was an electrical drama he encountered during the final race of the weekend which saw him limp home 16th, while his nearest championship rival, Chris Symon, took his first win since race four of the championship.

The Points situation

Hendl-Cox’s lead is now just 76-points over Symon while Billy Frazer has made ground on second place, sitting just 32-points away. Liam Foster took a blow over the weekend, falling to 47-points from third place while Amy Smith sits 92-points away in fifth. 

The battle of the rookies (denoted by orange numbers on their cars) is still hot, Thomas Boniface leads SpeedSport Scholarship winner Ronan Murphy by 38-points after an impressive second place in the final race last weekend. The ‘Sunset’ championship for our drivers over 40-years-old has been a bit of a one-horse race this year with Ron Carter absolutely dominating over his rivals.

The Weekend Ahead

This weekend marks round six of the 2018/19 championship and the second stop at Hampton Downs for Formula First this season after the circuit hosted the third round back in January. Back then it was Hendl-Cox who dominated, taking pole position and all three races to take the lead of the championship.

While there is no clear form guide for the weekend, Symon has the momentum after his dominant race win last time out, but history says Hendl-Cox has the edge at Hampton Downs. What is clear is an exciting, dynamic and action-packed battle will be happening at the front of the field. It’s standard for the 1200cc air-cooled VW power cars to run four wide into and through corners before forming a Formula First freight train down the straights.

The NZ Formula First Championship has been known to develop some on New Zealand’s best drivers and has nurtured talent like five-time IndyCar Champion Scott Dixon, Supercars champ Shane van Gisbergen, Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley, SuperGT champ Nick Cassidy, GP2 winner and Supercars driver Richie Stanaway and Toyota Racing Series sensation and Red Bull junior Liam Lawson.

Live video coverage of the weekends racing will be available via a Live Stream along with Formula First TV which will be active across the weekend, with a weekend preview coming Friday night and interviews with our race winners over the weekend. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates over the weekend!

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