Cameron Waters has taken his maiden round victory in the Australian Formula Ford Championship at Eastern Creek, but only after losing out to team-mate Nick Foster in the final race.
Foster stalked his fellow Sonic Motor Racing Services driver for much of the finale – making the winning move under brakes into Turn 2 with less than three laps to run.
Combining a second place in Race 3 with victories in the opening two encounters allowed Waters to further extend his lead in the championship standings however.
“I’m absolutely stoked with the result this weekend, things couldn’t have gone much better and to take my first round win feels great,” said the Linde Material Handling backed driver.
“I didn’t quite have the speed of Nick in the final race, but I scored plenty of championship points and extended my lead which was the aim this weekend.”
The result marked Foster’s first podium of the season after tough runs at Adelaide and Winton.
“It’s been a long time coming this season, but to get that first victory and then a podium for the weekend feels great,” said Foster.
“It should have happened a lot earlier in the year, but I’ve made some mistakes and we’ve had some bad luck as well, which has made things difficult.
“We have really good speed this year and to finish on the podium this weekend is proof of that, now we just need to be consistent to challenge for the title.”
CAMS Rising Star Trent Harrison was fourth in Race 2 and third in Race 3 to take the final spot on the round podium.
Fourth overall was Tom Williamson, the New South Welshman trading places with his fellow Minda Motorsport prepared Spectrum driver in Sunday’s two races.
Jack Le Brocq in the second of the Rising Star entries had been second in Sunday morning’s Race 2, but failed to finish the final with a broken fuel pump.
“I’m really disappointed,” said LeBrocq, who ended the weekend fifth overall.
“I had a great start in the final race and was looking forward to fighting it out for the race win, but the car just came to a stop.
“This weekend has given me plenty of confidence, so I’m really looking forward to the next round at Queensland Raceway.”
Garry Jacobson, Adam Graham, Josh Hunter and Spectrum driver’s Jesse Fenech and Shae Davies rounded out the top 10 for the weekend.
Waters now leads the championship standings by 42 points over Foster, with Williamson a further eight adrift in third.
After its weekend with the Shannons Nationals presented by Hi-Tec Oils, the next round of the 2011 Australian Formula Ford Championship will take place with the V8 Supercars at Queensland Raceway on August 19-21.
