Maxwell ready for title fight at next Australian Formula Ford Round

DESPITE THE start Thomas Maxwell had at the first round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, the 16-year-old is more than ready to get back into the championship fight at Round 2 of the open-wheel series at Phillip Island.

The Northern Territory driver showed his fellow competitors he has what it takes to win, putting the Sonic Motor Racing Services Mygale on the front for practice, but had bad luck heading into the races.

Maxwell was involved in another driver’s incident during the final race of the event, taking the teenager out of the race and contention for a round placing.

“The Sonic Mygale showed strong pace during the first round of the series, but some unfortunate luck took away what would have been a very strong start to the season,” Maxwell said.

“There were positive glimpses which we took away from the weekend, but as always there are areas we can improve and further develop.

“As long as I can keep refining my technique it’s all grounding steps in the right direction.

“Onwards and upwards for now, I’m going to bite the bullet and focus all of my energy in preparing for the next round at Phillip Island.”

The Bosch Car Service Centre driver is currently placed ninth in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

Maxwell’s next round will be held at the prestigious Phillip Island Circuit for Round 2 of the series on May 22.

Maxwell Finishes Fifth on Debut in Australian Formula Ford Final Round

Formula Ford, Thomas Maxwell

Thomas Maxwell racing to an impressive fifth at Island of Magic

NORTHERN TERRITORY’S Thomas Maxwell has finished an impressive fifth on debut in the final round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, held in conjunction with Phillip Island’s Island of Magic.

The 16-year-old had competed throughout the Victorian State Series in Formula Ford throughout this year, but overcame all rookie odds to finish inside in the top five out of a 32 car field, racing with one of the oldest cars on the grid.

The teenager had also qualified in fourth for Race 1, which was a personal best for the rookie at Phillip Island.

“What a fantastic weekend it was,” said Maxwell.

“Being able to run up at the front and race wheel-to-wheel with Australia’s best drivers was unbelievable.

“The qualifying lap was crucial, being able to put it on the second row of the grid played a big part – especially with the amount of cars in the field.”

“It was a fantastic way to cap off an outstanding rookie year in Formula Ford!”

Maxwell had also recently raced at the Phillip Island circuit in October, finishing his first strong year in the Victorian State Series coming home in seventh in the championship.

The Bosch Car Service Centre driver has had a great first season in Formula Ford with the team at Sonic Motor Racing Services, and is looking forward for what is yet to come in the 2015 racing season.

Second Place for Hazelwood at Phillip Island

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd racing at Phillip Island

17-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has finished second in the Forpark National class in a thrilling finale at Phillip Island for the sixth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

The South Australian had previously raced at the Phillip Island circuit last year in Formula Ford; the first time in this year’s championship Hazelwood had previous experience at a circuit.

Qualifying saw Hazelwood set the third fastest time in the Forpark National class, enduring a close battle with his teammate throughout the session and also lapping the original track record.

The teenager finished third in the first 9-lap race, second in race 2 and had a fantastic battle with his teammate in the final feature 14-lap race to finish second for the round.

“I had a great battle with my teammate in the final race,” said Hazelwood.

“Going side by side through turn 1 and also the last three corners certainly got the heart rate racing!”

Once again Hazelwood continued to show his pace and his place in the Forpark National championship, currently running in second.

“This weekend has once again been very consistent and successful, but it wasn’t strong enough,” said Hazelwood.

“I felt this weekend was my best opportunity to close the gap to the Forpark National class championship leader, but unfortunately the gap has slightly increased.

“I really enjoyed racing at Phillip Island, previously having great success in the past and it was great to continue my strong form at this exciting circuit.”

The South Australian will be working super hard in preparation to ensure he finishes the year off with a good result and to thank everyone involved who has made this year in Formula 3 happen.

The final round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship will be held at Sandown Raceway on November 15-17.

Shannons Supercar Showdown Season Three

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports, Film and TV, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Sprint Karting, Todd Hazelwood Racing

The Shannons Supercar Showdown is back for series three this year, unveiling a new team and a new prize.

Season 3 with Ford Performance Racing. Source: FPR

Eight young rookies this year will battle it out in a series of challenges to claim the number one prize of winning the Shannons Supercar Showdown.

The series is back for it’s third season, this year under Ford Performance Racing and also with a brand new prize, a 2014 testing contract with Ford Performance Racing and a race at Homebush this year in a Dunlop Development Series car.

Professional V8 Supercar drivers Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom will be the driver coaches this year, with brand new host motor racing reporter Briony Ingerson.

The rookies confirmed include two British drivers of Adrian Campfield and Dan Cammish, Formula Ford’s Macauley Jones, Chelsea Angelo and James Golding, Formula 3 stars Tim Macrow and Todd Hazelwood and current V8 Ute driver Craig Dontas.

This year’s rookies will split into teams of four, either belonging to Team Davison or Team Winterbottom.

They will compete in teams to earn points, testing their mental and psychical ability, race on simulators and compete in motorkhanas, Formula Ford, Sprint Karts and of course, V8 Supercars.

The team coach will then allocate a certain amount of points to the winner, with whoever having the most points earning themselves a place in the final four.

There is also a captain’s choice option, so if the contestant doesn’t earn many points, they may still have a place in the final four.

Unlike the two previous series, there are no eliminations this year.

The series will air over eight episodes on Australian channel 7mate Saturday evenings, online at: http://www.shannons.com.au/supercarshowdown/videos

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/shannons-supercar-showdown-season-three/#sthash.Dz8lrvjB.dpuf

Todd Hazelwood More Than Ready for Phillip Island

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd ready to race. Picture: Coopers Photography

PREVIOUSLY RACING Formula Ford at the Phillip Island circuit last year, Todd Hazelwood is more than ready to attack the island in his Fujitsu Racing/R-Tek Dallara for the sixth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

Currently second in the Forpark National Formula 3 Championship, the 17-year-old is more than confident in closing the championship gap, for the first time this year having previous experience at a circuit on the Formula 3 calendar.

Since having a few weeks break since Queensland, the South Australian has been busy competing on season three of the Shannons Supercar Showdown show, keeping Hazelwood more than ready for this weekend.

“The championship so far has been really close, and racing at Phillip Island this weekend will make the title chase closer than ever,” said Hazelwood.

“I haven’t raced on the track since it’s been resurfaced, so I’m looking forward to going out on the track for practice tomorrow to see what elements of the circuit have changed.

“I have had good success in the past at Phillip Island, hopefully we can continue that form and put it towards our championship.”

Todd Hazelwood will hit the track tomorrow for two practice sessions, commencing at 10:45 local time. To follow Todd’s progress throughout the weekend, like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.

Shannons Nationals Schedule: Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship

Friday
10:45 Practice 1 – 25 minutes
13:50 Practice 2 – 25 minutes

Saturday
10:25 Qualifying 1 – 20 minutes
14:30 Race 1 – 9 laps

Sunday
10:35 Race 2 – 9 laps
14:05 Race 3 – 14 laps

Media by Loren Hazelwood

Motor sport media, marketing and content specialist

Formula Ford