New star bursts on to motor racing scene

Tuesday 19 November 2013

New star bursts on to motor racing scene

Jamie Conroy has burst on to the New Zealand motor racing scene, winning all his races at his first ever national championship meeting.

The unheralded Invercargill driver, 22, claimed three wins from three starts at Timaru yesterday in the first round of the New Zealand Formula Ford championship.

Title favourite Michael Collins from Christchurch, who finished third in the championship last year, started favourite and he qualified fastest.

“But I got off the line a bit better at the start of race one and was ahead by the first corner,” Conroy, who had his first Formula Ford race in September, said.

“I led all the races all the way but Michael had about the same speed. He’s a good driver – he doesn’t make mistakes and he’s a nice person to race against.”

Conroy, who has 12 years of kart racing behind him, is racing the Mygale that took James Munro to the title last year. He said he had greatly benefited from the advice of former Formula One engineer Wal Wilmott, who had worked with Bruce McLaren.

“He was my race engineer for the weekend and it’s priceless to have his wisdom and experience on board,” he said.

Conroy is now planning to contest the full New Zealand championship and the South Island series.

Collins finished second in all three races and Aaron Marr from Wanganui was third each time.

Championship points: Conroy 225, Collins 201, Marr 180, Ryan Yardley 162, Grant Campbell 147.

Attached photographs are free to use but please credit Euan Cameron. The action shot shows Jamie Conroy just ahead of Michael Collins.

New Zealand Formula Ford championship calendar

Round 1 November 16-17 Timaru Motor Raceway

Round 2 January 11-12 Teretonga (Invercargill)

Round 3 January 18-19 Timaru Motor Raceway

Round 4 February 1-2 Hampton Downs

Round 5 February 8-9 Manfeild

Round 6 March 8-9 Taupo

For full race championship details visit www.nzracechamps.org.nz

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