The fast sweeps of the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire provide the backdrop for the next thrilling instalment in the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship story which, after the excitement of the Silverstone opening rounds earlier this month, looks set to keep its disciples hooked for another season of fine Ford Duratec-powered action.
Less than 30 points - the worth of a single race win- separates the top six drivers in the championship, and on the form shown at Silverstone at least half the field or more have the potential to win races.
Dutch driver Jeroen Slaghekke, who claimed a maiden win and a third-place finish last time out in his Mygale for Jamun Racing Services, is the man in the driving seat championship-wise, but his lead over the third-round victor, JTR’s Geoff Uhrhane, is a slender seven points.
Twenty-year-old Australian Uhrhane impressed at Silverstone and is relishing the opportunity to race his Mygale at Oulton: “It’s a lot more of a driver’s track than the Silverstone National circuit; it’s very different and more challenging - a lot more corners and a lot more fun. I’ve done two days testing there and we plan another two before the races, so I should know it pretty well by then. Hopefully the car will be up to speed and we should be right.”
Uhrhane’s team-mate, Dan de Zille, will be looking to go one better at Oulton after twice finishing second at Silverstone, while JTR’s third man, Tristan Mingay, is hoping for a return to the podium also.
The other top-10 men after Silverstone are Slaghekke’s Aussie Jamun team-mates Spike Goddard and Nick McBride; fast Finns Antti Buri (LMS Mygale) and Jesse Anttila (RaySport Ray); Jake Cook (Jamun Mygale); Philippe Layac (Enigma/RV Mygale) and Matt Parry (Fluid Van Diemen). And hovering just outside the top 10 is last year’s championship runner-up Scott Malvern, who will be hoping to get his title bid back on track after a disastrous start at Silverstone with new team Jamun.
A field of 19 is expected in Cheshire for Saturday’s fourth round and Easter Monday’s rounds five and six, with a three-way fight in the Scholarship class one of the added highlights. Cavan Corcoran held sway in the class in his Getem Racing Mygale in each of rounds one, two and three, but Tockwith twosome David Moore and Jake Jackson will be out to redress that situation.
Provisional championship placings after round 31 Jeroen Slaghekke NED Jamun Mygale 75 points2 Geoff Uhrhane AUS JTR Mygale 683 Dan de Zille JEY JTR Mygale 624 Spike Goddard AUS Jamun Mygale 525 Tristan Mingay GBR JTR Mygale 506 Nick McBride AUS Jamun Mygale 46 etc
Scholarship class1 Cavan Corcoran GBR Getem Mygale 932 David Moore GBR Tockwith Ray 543 Jake Jackson GBR Tockwith Ray 51
