PRESS RELEASE – Carnage at Homebush
The Australian Formula 4 fraternity has gathered for the last time at Sydney’s Olympic Park for a race through the streets of Homebush.
This track has proved particularly unforgiving with its narrow straights and tight corners so there was surprise the final round of the inaugural CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship saw plenty of carnage in the first race of the weekend.
The race got off to a good clean start, AGI Roll Cages driver Nick Filipetto joined the championship for the final round after winning the NSW Formula 3 Championship last month. It was Nick’s first race in a Formula 4 car.
“I’m not quite used to the street circuit yet. It’s been very challenging but I’ve been chipping away at it.” Nick said.
‘The street circuits are quite different to what I am used to in terms of say Sydney Motorsport Park where you use a lot of aero where as around these street circuits you’ve more got to throw it in like a go-kart, “
Nick stalled his car and the gear-box stuck in reverse which ended up prompting the safety car for a few laps. Nick wasn’t too phased however.
“ The main thing I want to take away from the weekend is just the experience, I mean running with the V8 Supercars is pretty cool so really just focusing on the experience and to finish.”
Nick was safely off the track before the next incident in which three cars made contact and caused widespread damage sending the safety car out for the remainder of the race.
Will Brown gained the advantage of the safety car finish to come home in second place.
‘Had a disappointing qualifying, qualifying seventh, but got a good start up to fifth. Then unlucky for second, third and fourth, they had a crash,” Will said.
‘I was disappointed, I mean I really feel for them but it was great to get a couple more points and finish second for the race.
The points do come in handy for Brown, extending his lead to Harry Hayek in the Rookie Award and the DNF for Luis Leeds means Brown could potential snag a third place in the Championship.
Nick Rowe made a comeback for the final race of the season after nabbing a few podiums early on in the Championship. Nick also kept his nose clean during the mishap to finish third in the points.
“Race 1 was pretty intense, there were a few accidents and we were able to miss them all,” Nick said.
“We started eighth and we had one of the most horrible starts I ever had in my whole life but we picked away, had an awesome first corner and went from tenth to fifth.
‘Hopefully we can go one-two tomorrow but I’m off to the Speedway now so that will be a little fun. “
Jimmy Vernon was disappointed with his pace but happy to finish with his car in one piece.
“Race 1 was very, very eventful. We started out of tenth, we have been struggling a little with pace and car set-up all weekend so that has made it a bit hard for us. We moved up into ninth and then there was an unfortunate incident with a few cars and that promoted us up into sixth,” Jimmy said.
“Tomorrow we start out of pole for the reverse grid race. I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully we can capitalise overnight and find a good set up for the next two races.”
The final two races of the 2015 CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship take place on Sunday 5th December with all the action airing live on Fox Sports.
