What a journey it’s been! As we close the chapter on our first Formula First campaign, it’s hard to believe how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time. From our debut in Round 1 of the Feilding Auto Electrical Winter Series to a solid finish in Round 4, the experience has been a rollercoaster of excitement, growth, and valuable lessons.
Round 1: A Thrilling Debut
Our Formula First adventure kicked off in style at Round 1, hosted by the Manawatu Car Club at Manfeild. I had my first ever qualifying session, standing starts, and single-seater race experience – and it was intense! One of the biggest moments of the weekend was a 360-degree spin on the main straight at over 100 km/h. Despite the surprises, I got faster with each session, setting my best time in the 1.25s during the final race.
Round 2: Progress and Setbacks
Round 2 at Manfeild was another incredible weekend. We finished with two 3rd-place finishes, but a blown piston ended our race early in the final event. Still, we were getting quicker, setting the fastest lap times in two of the races. The experience and lessons gained here were invaluable.
Round 3: A Rollercoaster Weekend
Round 3 was a tough but important learning weekend. After qualifying in P2, I found myself in a tight battle for the lead, but unfortunately, a spin on the final lap cost me the win and ended with an 8th-place finish. Race 2 didn’t go as planned, finishing P5, and in Race 3, an engine failure forced us to retire. It was frustrating, but we kept our heads up and learned so much.
Round 4: A Strong Finish
We closed out our first Formula First campaign with Round 4, where consistency was key. With a P2 in qualifying and three 2nd-place finishes in the races, we showed steady progress. Keiano Weir from Pukekohe dominated the weekend, clinching the Winter Series, and while we just missed out on a series podium by a single point, I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved. A huge thank you goes to Dennis and the Sabre Motorsport team for their hard work, wise coaching, and unwavering support.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming National Championship. The experience we’ve gained over these four rounds has set us up for the next challenge, and we’re ready to bring our best!
A massive thanks to my family and supporters for the continued encouragement. We’re just getting started – watch this space!
