Formula Ford title race tightens due to penalty appeals

The gap between first and second in the Australian Formula Ford standings has more than halved due to successful appeals relating to apparel infringements in Round 1.

Angelo Mouzouris’ points lead over Zac Soutar has dropped from 24 to 11 as a result of changes to the results of a race which took place in April, while third placed Lachlan Mineeff has crept a point closer to the top of the table.

Four drivers had initially been penalised for non-compliant apparel as follows:

Each was set to be disqualified from Race 3 but requested a stewards hearing in which the penalties was downgraded, with Mineeff receiving only a reprimand when he showed damage to his hand which demonstrated that the glove was damaged during the race.

The drivers were initially told by stewards that they could not make appeals as per the race meeting standing regulations, although CAMS subsequently allowed them having taken the view that such a restriction should only apply to breaches of the Code of Driving Conduct.

Soutar and Tim Hamilton, the Formula Ford 1600 (Kent) class series leader, therefore did lodge appeals, resulting in their penalties being reduced to reprimands.

The former was therefore reinstated in third position in the Race 3 classification, resulting in Mouzouris sliding down a position to fourth, while Hamilton is again the FF1600 class winner.

As such, the title race has tightened further after a dramatic fifth round at Sandown earlier this month.

See below for updated standings

The penultimate round of Australian Formula Ford takes place at Wakefield Park on September 6-8, although the FF1600 class is next in action in the final round at Phillip Island on September 27-29.

Standings (Top 10)

Points system

* Fastest lap in qualifying