Matt Brabham will return to the Australian Formula Ford Championship for his second round of the national championship at Queensland Raceway next week.
Brabham, the son of Le Mans winner Geoff and grandson of Sir Jack Brabham, will contest the fourth round of the national series with Sonic Motor Racing – the same team that he took his first race and round win at Winton in May.
Brabham is also expected to return for the Phillip Island round next month.
Another new and returning contender to the Formula Ford pack is local driver Andre Borell, while Adam Graham has withdrawn from the event after a funding shortfall.
In total 18 drivers will make up the gird for the fourth round of the championship.
In terms of the championship, Brabham’s Sonic team-mates Cameron Waters and Nick Foster will resume their battle. Waters currently holds a 42 point advantage, however, Foster was the victor at the Ipswich track last year and is keen on narrowing the title gap.
“It’s no secret that the start of the year has been disappointing for us, but finally getting a race win and some decent points at (the last round at) Eastern Creek has really given me some confidence for the rest of the season,” Foster said.
“It was a long time coming to get back to the front of the field and I’m hoping I can keep that going this weekend at Queensland Raceway. Last year I won my first round and took the lead in the championship at the event.
“I think Cam is a little too far in front at this stage to overhaul him next weekend, but if I can take some points off him and close the gap, then I think it will be an exciting end to the year.”
Third in the championship is Tom Williamson bounced back at Eastern Creek after a disappointing round at Winton. The opening round winner switched teams recently (to Minda Motorsport) and is enjoying the new found confidence.
“I think Eastern Creek really restored a lot of the confidence I lost at Winton and proved that I can be a contender this season,” he said.
“I’m really comfortable at Minda Motorsport, so now I can just focus on staying at the front each weekend and the rest will take care of itself,” Williamson said.
“I’m looking forward to racing this weekend and I’m positive we’ll be competitive as soon as the car rolls of the truck, but it will be a tough weekend with plenty of fast guys right at the front.”
The Australian Formula Ford Championship will take to the track for the first time on Friday morning ahead of races on Saturday and Sunday.
Other classes supporting the V8 Supercars next weekend include the Fujitsu V8s, Aussie Racing Cars and Touring Car Masters.
