MEDIA PREVIEW        26 January 1998 

FORMULA FORD’S CLASS OF ’98 FACE FIRST EXAM 

  Five of the stars of 1997; Craig Zerner (NSW), Greg Ritter (Vic), Aaron McNally (WA), Christian Jones (Qld) and Adam Macrow (Vic); share equal favouritism in what most observers are predicting will be the closest and most exciting title race in the class’s 28 year history. 

  With more than 40 drivers entered for the opening round of the championship, many competing in new cars for the first time, selecting a clear winner is an impossible task, according to Victorian speedster Greg Ritter. 

  "There are quite a few familiar faces competing again this year but some guys are in new cars, some have upgraded their old cars, and some are simply better drivers now than they were this time last year. 

  "I’m very happy with my new Valvoline/Bob Jane T-Mart Van Diemen RF98 … I believe the car is faster than the RF94 I ran last year, and on that score, at least, I feel confident. 

  "But there’s been just as much movement in some of the opposing camps so I don’t think any of us will be able to make too many predictions until after this weekend. 

  "And then there’s also a chance that someone who most people don’t know much about will ‘do a Tander’ and come from out of the blue, so it will be interesting." 

  One driver that is expected to run strongly and challenge for the championship is last year’s fourth placed racer and multiple karting champion Craig Zerner. 

  Debuting a newly purchased Spectrum at Sandown, the Gold Coast ace will be under considerable pressure to perform, especially with his younger brother Scott also joining the ranks of Formula Ford this year. 
  
  "It could make for some interesting conversation around the family dinner table later on in the year, that’s for sure," the senior Zerner quips. 

  "Seriously though, there’s around 40 other drivers out there that will be just as keen to do well against me, so once we’re out on the track Scott will be just another competitor really. 

  "We haven’t done quite as much testing as we would have liked, but the feel of the car is really good and with so many other potential front-runners driving Spectrums this year it’s anyone’s guess what’s going to happen," Zerner says. 

  Another Spectrum racer expected to figure in the front group is Melbourne teenager Adam Macrow. 

  Macrow, who scored his maiden victory in the first heat of the Tickford 500 
Formula Ford support races, returns to Sandown with renewed confidence. 

  "I love racing at Sandown … it’s a great track to race on and, with my win there last year, I’ve got some good memories of the place already. 

  "The car was quick there last year and I see no reason why I can’t be just as quick again," Macrow says.  
 
 

For Further Information: Gavin McGrath 
    Media Coordinator 
    Australian Formula Ford Association