The penultimate round of the Australian Formula Ford Series at Phillip Island was a story of progression for the CHE Racing Team as rookies Lachlan Strickland and Imogen Radburn continued to build on their campaigns.
Competition was close at the Island as Strickland qualified 12th, but was only 0.750s off pole. Racing alongside winners this season, Strickland finished in 13th just outside the top 10 as he maintained position in Race 2 before rising to 11th in the finale where he was in the thick of the battle for fifth place as just three seconds covered up to 12th.
Qualifying in 20th, Radburn was involved in a collision with a lapped competitor on the final lap providing an early challenge to the weekend. Radburn rose back to 20th in Race 2 as she went on to complete the round in 17th.
The final round to complete Radburn and Strickland’s maiden Australian Formula Ford Series season will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park on October 13-15 as part of the Shannons Trophy Series.
Lachlan Strickland
#47 Rightway Financial Services/CHE Racing Team
“A mega weekend at the track as always, the weather really turned it on leading to clear skies and pretty much clean running this weekend,” Strickland described.
“Leading into qualifying we had a couple of issues, but the main thing was the racecraft I learnt across the weekend, working with the team to try to work our way forward after a little bit of trouble in Race 1 where I didn’t quite get off the line. That’s just motorsport.
“Race 2 I maintained position, before I tried to keep the rears intact and was still trying to move forward to fight at the front, but today we weren’t able to get there.
“There were eight of us covered by a second, it was pretty clean, the car came home straight and we’re quick going into The Bend next up.”
Imogen Radburn
#29 Radburn Racing Team/CHE Racing Team
“It was an up and down weekend,” said Radburn.
“Coming into this weekend I had my formal and graduation, so I missed two practice sessions, but we were able to get some good times on Friday to lead into qualifying where I was 20th.
“Race 1 did not go to plan at all as on the last lap I got collected by a lapped car, but we pushed on to go from 28th to 20th in the second event before completing the weekend in 17th.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this without sponsors and the CHE Racing Team. I’m looking forward to heading to The Bend next month.”
