Matt Campbell is set to make his Australian Formula Ford Championship debut at the upcoming Townsville round, joining the newly created Chairman’s Cup for state level graduates.

The 17-year-old Queenslander has been a front runner in Queensland State Championship Formula Ford competition in recent times, leading this year’s standings after finishing second overall in 2011.

Campbell’s debut will be made with Synergy Motorsport, who are also fielding the cars of current front runners Mathew Hart and Sam Power.

Campbell is looking forward to his national-level debut.

“I’ve never been to the race before, but I have visited Townsville and seen the track, so I have a feel for it. I can’t wait for the race weekend,” Campbell said.

“It will be great to work with Justin Cotter and Synergy Motorsport, they’re a championship winning team, and they have done really well with Mathew Hart this season.

“I’m not sure which car we will have at this stage, if it’s the new Spectrum 014 or an older car, either way it will be a step up.”

Campbell is also slated to race at the following round of the championship at Queensland Raceway on August 3-5, with the two Queensland events set to be his entries in the Chairman’s Cup, which has been created to give state level drivers a sample of national competition.

Incentives for participants include discount round entry fees, and a stand alone point score structure, which is led by Scott Andrews over Anton De Pasquale and David Sera after the first round at Phillip Island.

In the overall championship standings after three rounds, Jack Le Brocq leads the way from Mathew Hart by only four points, with Garry Jacobson a further two points back in third.

The Sucrogen Townsville 400 will take place from July 6-8.