McCormack and Dowdall to continue North Island Formula Ford rivalry at Hampton Downs on Sunday

Just two-points separate the top two title contenders as the 2024/25 Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) enters the second half of the season. Blake Dowdall currently leads from Toby McCormack heading to the fourth round as Hampton Downs Motorsport Park hosts the one-day Auckland Car Club meeting this Sunday (23 February 2025).

McCormack has won the last six NIFF races including all four held at the previous round at Dowdall’s home track in Feilding in December. Since then, along with Reagan Edwards and Campbell Owens, both have been competing in the South Island in the first two rounds of the national series. While the momentum has been with McCormack, Dowdall had a stella South Island outing and returns with the lead in the national series and confidence in his car’s speed. While he has stood on the podium in all ten races this season, McCormack has six-wins to his three. Throw in the return of Leo Scott and there will be a three-way fight over as many races.

“I’m looking forward to it,” commented Dowdall. “I think we have built some good momentum through the national rounds and fixed a few issues with the car plus I have spent a lot of time looking at data in order to extract that extra percent in my driving.

Fighting for podium places will be Reagan Edwards, Shane Drake and Jack Groenewald and even a chance to stand on the top step if the opportunity arises.

Owens competes in the NIFF for the first time and will take on the Rookie of the Year battle with Groenewald and Fletcher Sloan (NIFF Scholarship car) after making his Formula Ford debut down south. Also joining him for his first time out is kartsport driver Marco Manson.

The round will see the return of Van Diemen drivers’ Leo Scott, Kim Crocker and Nick Buxeda, as well as James Collie in Class 2.

It will be a busy day on Sunday as drivers face a 20-minute qualifying session with the fastest driver picking up a $500 cash prize from the Hampton Downs NZ Racing Academy. Two 12-lap races followed by a 15-lap feature race won’t leave much time for drivers and teams to deal with any major problems so reliability will be important.

“Hampton Downs is a track where it is important to know where and when to pass,” said Dowdall. “There are three long straights which give you opportunities to pass although it is important to know where to pass without bringing others into the fight.

“Getting off the line will be important as will the two hairpins hence getting the right gear ratio especially the right first gear, will be important.”

The series is supported with part of a $60,000 Formula Ford prize pool from the Tony Quinn Foundation with funding for travel. NAPA Auto Parts has prizes for both Driver of the Day and Rookie of the Year and Yokohama continues as the tyre of choice for Formula Ford Racing in NZ.

This summer sees a collaboration between Rodin Cars and MotorSport NZ to create a new pathway to Formula 1 with the NZFF champion and selected Formula Ford drivers invited to an all-expenses-paid, three-day testing and evaluation program with Rodin Cars in New Zealand. From there a driver who exhibits exceptional talent has the possibility to test with Rodin Motorsport in the UK with the possibility of securing a seat in one of Rodin’s F4 teams.