HUNTER MCELREA WINS AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP

After a dominating season of 13 Wins, 3 Poles, 9 fastest laps, 2 Lap Records, and a 100% Front Row qualifying record, 18
year old Hunter McElrea has acheived the one thing he set out for – the 2018 Australian Formula Ford Championship.
The newly crowned Australian Champ started off strongly in Saturday, with a 2nd position in Qualifying, followed by a 3rd
position in Race one.
With the pressure of the Championship lead being reduced to only 4 points with a pair of races remaining, McElrea was
able to bounce back to dominate Race 2, getting to the lead, breaking the lap record, and streaking away from the feild for
his 13th win of the year.
“Massive thanks must go to my team for getting the car much more comfortable for me to drive today, that win was really
fun, and much needed! Although this takes alot of pressure off me, I still have one race to go – and I am ready!” McElrea
said.
With one race remaining, Hunter only needed a 4th place finish if his Rival won the Race. Starting off Pole, Hunter dropped
to 2nd off the start, however took the lead straight back the following lap. Just when everything looked to settle down,
drama struck as he was taken out and sent airbone by his team mate and Championship Rival, damaging his car.
McElrea was able to limp home in 7th, with a 35 second post-race penalty dished out to Ribarits meant he fell
to 14th in the results, with McElrea ultimately crowned champion, and grabbing the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout Ticket.
“This is a dream come true! I still can’t beleive it, it really is just sinking in. It’s been such an amazing year and I can’t tell
you how releived I am that i’m Australian Champion. I have to firsty thank all my amazing sponsors and supporters who
make it possible for me, my parents who beleived in me and let me live my own dream, my family who all came to watch
and I can’t thank Mick and Maria (Ritter) from Team Sonic enough for everything they’ve done for me over the last two
years.”