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Three local racing drivers hold the key to the second round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship at Lakeside (Brisbane) this Sunday. 

  Tweed Heads siblings Craig and Scott Zerner, and the Gold Coast’s Christian Jones are looking to take full advantage of their knowledge of the tricky Lakeside circuit to re-launch their respective 1998 championship campaigns. 

  The three Spectrum drivers, who all endured rough baptisms to the 1998 title at Sandown’s season opener, need strong results to stay in touch with breakaway series leader Adam Macrow.   

  With their respective seasons on the line, the sparks are likely to fly between the Zerner brothers and their championship rivals at Lakeside. 

  Elder brother Craig, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on 19 March, is confident that both he and his brother will be very competitive at the challenging Brisbane circuit in their two Spectrums, ‘Z1’ and ‘Z2’. 

  "Ideally I’d love to ‘do a Macrow’ … qualify on pole and then win both races, and that would in turn put me right back into running for the championship.  

  "The most important thing though is to get some points on the board to make up for what was a fairly unproductive start to the championship at Sandown around a month ago for both Scott and myself. 

  "The setup for the cars is pretty good and I don’t expect to have the engine problems we had at Sandown so, all things being equal, I think I have an excellent chance of being right at the front of the field. 

  "And don’t write off Scott either.  He may have had a tough trott in Formula Ford so far but he’s been pretty quick in testing and I think he might be about due for a bit of luck," the senior Zerner says. 

  Chief among Zerner’s rivals is confident Victorian ace Greg Ritter, who returns to Lakeside buoyed by an emphatic victory in the second Australian Grand Prix Formula Ford race at Albert Park. 

  With the new-model Van Diemen sorted into a race-winning package, Ritter looks formidable for Lakeside, especially given his strong run there last year. 

  "The team got delivery of our 98-model Van Diemen chassis a little late and that really took its toll on our preparations for Sandown … I think the AGP is a much better guide as to how we’ll go on the weekend. 

  "I like Lakeside as a circuit.  It’s a fast track where you’re rewarded for showing a bit of courage, and I was right in the hunt there last year.  

  "We’re a bit behind in the points table at the moment but I don’t think it’ll take too long for us to turn that around, especially if we can get a good result on the weekend," Ritter says. 

  This year’s surprise packet, at least to most outside observers, has been outstanding rookie Steve Owen, who has come close to beating his more fancied rivals on several occasions already this year. 

  An experienced kart racer, Owen is looking to score his maiden victory at Lakeside this weekend. 

  "My speed so far this year may have surprised a few people but, to be honest, I wouldn’t have gone into Formula Ford if I didn’t expect to win. 

  "Frankly, my biggest problem is finding the budget to compete at every race this year so it’s important that I win a race soon just to help the sponsorship hunt a little. 

  "I’m going all out to win race one at Lakeside and carry on the rest of the season from there," Owen says.   
 

Pointscore (after round 1):   1. A. Macrow (Vic) 40; 2. D. McDougall (Vic) 30;  3. A. McNally (WA) 28; 4. A. Seward (Vic) 16; 5. S. Owen (Vic) 14; 6. T. Leahey (NSW) 12; 7. G. Ritter (Vic) 10; =8. C. Zerner (NSW) 8; =8. C. Dell (NSW) 8; =8. R. Miller (Tas) 8 

For Further Information: Gavin McGrath 
    Media Coordinator 
    Australian Formula Ford Association 
    (03) 9533 4455