FOSTER AND EVANS CREATE A WEEKEND FOR THE RECORD BOOKS AT SANDOWN
IN A HISTORY MAKING WEEKEND, Joey Foster and Mitch Evans have taken
Formula 3 Australian Drivers' Championship glory at Sandown Raceway in
Melbourne; a dramatic turn of events delivering Foster the championship
and Evans the F3 SuperPrix season finale'.
Foster turned a three-point deficit to a seven-point victory in the
Australian Drivers' Championship today by winning race one and finishing
second in the SuperPrix event, to seal the first ever back-to-back
titles for Team BRM and complete a remarkable recovery from serious
injury's sustained in Germany several years ago.
15-year-old Mitch Evans, meanwhile, became the youngest ever winner of
an Australian Formula 3 and Gold Star race as he flew to a stunning
victory in wet conditions in this afternoons 22-lap F3 SuperPrix.
In the space of just a few seasons Cornwall (UK) driver Foster has gone
from a badly broken back after an F3 crash on a German Superspeedway,
to winning Australia's premier Open-Wheel award and today accepted the
Australian Drivers Championship title and the status as a CAMS Gold Star
winner.
With James Winslow winning in 2008, It was the first time in Gold Star
history that British drivers have won the title in consecutive years,
the first time a Team BRM driver has won it in consecutive years and a
remarkable result in a season that saw the remarkably evenly matched
Foster and Tim Macrow win seven races each.
"When you look back three or four years ago, to where I was, it feels
amazing to be here today as a championship winner," Foster said.
"It has been an incredible season. Thanks go to the team because they
have done a great job all year and it's fantastic to be able to deliver
them back-to-back titles for the first time. Tim (Macrow) has been a
great rival all year and it's been good to have such a close fight all
season long. It's been hugely challenging and the year had its ups and
downs, but it's all come together today.
"I'm very relieved, happy and looking forward to celebrating this one!"
he said.
Tim Macrow finished second in the championship after struggling for
straight-line speed this weekend, finishing second in race one this
morning and fourth in the SuperPrix.
In his customary fighting and aggressive style the Victorian-based 2007
Gold Star winner did what he could but his car lacked the outright punch
of the Team BRM Dallara's at Sandown today. Macrow finishes his third
full season in the Gold Star as the series most successful driver ever,
with 14 race wins and more than 35 career podiums to his credit.
15-year-old New Zealander Mitch Evans, a standout in Formula Fords this
year, trailed teammate Foster and Macrow's Scud Racing Dallara in the
early stages of the SuperPrix before a bold and adventurous move saw him
tow up behind Macrow mid-race and pass him for second.
He then set about chasing down Foster and managed to slip by the
would-be champion with just a few laps remaining.
Evans then maintained his composure to lead Foster home for a Team BRM
1-2 in an exciting race, Mat Sofi passing Macrow just two laps from home
to finish the SuperPrix third after starting from pole position.
The race was held in challenging conditions, rain falling before the
start and then again during the race making life difficult for the
field. Several drivers were caught up in the conditions and the race was
segmented by a pair of safety car periods.
At 15, Evans has again written himself into the record books and
accepted the John Bowe Trophy - presented to the SuperPrix winner each
year - from outgoing Formula 3 board member James Rosenberg.
"It's quite an honour to accept this trophy and to know I've won a race
in the Gold Star," Evans said.
"It was a challenging race but I actually felt more confident in the
heavier conditions than when it wasn't as wet so I was feeling fairly
confident. I was careful when I was getting past Joey as I didn't want
to make contact with a team mate and from there I was able to hold on
and win the race.
"I'm really pleased and the team have done an awesome job, so thanks to
them for their work. It's been a great weekend."
Behind today's winners there were mixed stories from Sandown,
several having up and down weekends that either ended well or below
expectations.
TanderSport were one to have a mixed day, Ben Crighton showing plenty of
pace in the first race to record his first ever fastest lap - despite
slipping down the order after a lap one spin.
West Aussie driver Bryce Moore's stunning F3 debut was perhaps
overshadowed by that of Evans, however the driver of TanderSport's
National Class car did plenty to impress this weekend including winning
the National Class in the F3 SuperPrix.
Tom Tweedie - already the National Class champ - won race one this
morning to end his season having 12 class wins to his credit.
Kristian Lindbom was another to have an impressive F3 debut, finishing
second in class on both occasions. Full Championship Points:
-credit: ausf3
