The final round of the HiQ Formula First NZ Championship was a solid end to the season for me and the team. I strung together a bunch of top five results and wrapped up the Rookie of the Year title.
Friday testing didn’t go our way as we ran into some more engine issues. In one of the early sessions we had a massive flat spot off the corners which the team determined to be a carb problem. Upon further investigation the team found the ball bearing in the carb was seizing and stopped fuel from flowing which obviously effected the engine’s power. After sorting that we were able to have a few more sessions to get ready for Qualifying on Saturday. We sorted our handling pretty good, but we were still down on power.
Qualifying was held in greasy conditions but our carb issues came back, however we managed to set the seventh fastest time which was a little disappointing.
The race later that day was the first wet one of the season much to my delight. After a fantastic start I moved my way up to fifth and after a few hairy moments, held on to finish there six laps later. The result meant I only had to finish one more race to secure the rookie title. I was pretty happy with performance in the wet as it was my first ever wet race in cars.
I got another good start in Sunday morning’s race and slotted my way into sixth. After a battle with Arran on the first lap he locked up at turn seven the next lap and I managed to get by him for fifth. Our pace improved and I managed to catch the back of the leaders but didn’t quiet have the pace to go for another podium. I was pleased that our pace had improved in the dry and it left me really looking forward to the final race of the season.
In the final race of the season I got another really good start, however I attempted an aggressive pass on Dave Scammell into turn one but ran out of room and made contact with him and lost a bit of ground. Thankful that I hadn’t caused damage to either of us, I went about moving back through the field as I had dropped back a couple of places. After making my way to seventh I locked up at turn one and lost a position to Crighton. By lap four I was back up to sixth and my car started to smoke (apparently). On the final lap I got into fifth, which is when I started to notice the smoke coming out the back on my car. I nursed the car home to record another top five result which I was happy with.
A huge thanks to Dennis Martin and Sabre Motorsport and my engineer Jonathan. Without you guys and the rest of the Sabre Motorsport crew, none of this would have been possible. Thanks so much for the season, I’ve learnt so much from your experience and I’m sure it will stick with me for many years.
Thanks to Grant McDonald for all your off-track help, advice and support. Also for preparing my Club500 programme setting me up for the future.
Massive thanks to the series sponsors HiQ Components – Plastic and Electronic Components.
Thanks also the Speedsport Scholarship Charitable Trust and its sponsors: Sierra Motor Company, Race Brakes, Quality Tyres, Chicane Racewear.
To my personal sponsors Alastair at Formula Fit HPC, Counties Fitness, Cyrus International Cargo, Track Torque NZ and my Club500 Supporters thank you for your continued support.
Also a huge thanks to everyone who I have met over the season and to everyone who has come to the track to support me. It means a lot!
We’re hoping to announce our future plans in the next month so stay tuned to my Facebook page ( Liam Lawson ) and my website www.liamlawsonmotorsport.co.nz