CHE Racing Team’s Zak Lobko has capped off his maiden Australian Formula Ford Series campaign by finishing Sydney Motorsport Park level on points with the round winner to take second on a countback.
Coming off a strong run of results, Lobko entered the Sydney Motorsport Park round confident not only because of his form, but it also marked the first time he had raced previously at a circuit this season.
The start of the weekend was a good omen as Lobko qualified third and failed to finish outside the top three across the trio of races.
Engaged in a three-way battle for the lead in the opening race as Lobko finished a season best second.
Although there was drama surrounding him, Lobko kept a cool head as he replicated his opening event result in both Races 2 and 3 to finish level on points with this year’s Australian Formula Ford Series winner Valentino Astuti for the round.
It was a fantastic result for the young gun to conclude an impressive first season in Australian Formula Ford and solidified his top 10 placing in the standings.
Teammate Imogen Radburn was contesting her second national Formula Ford round, but her focus was on the New South Wales Formula Ford Championship as she aimed to secure third in the title.
Radburn continued her improvement as she finished a consistent 12th outright in all three races and matched up well to her state counterparts to finish the season third outright.
As a result of the round result, James Piszcyk still maintained second in the standings despite missing the final event.
Sydney Motorsport Park completes a successful Australian and NSW Formula Ford Series campaign by the CHE Racing Team, with 2023 promising much more.
QUOTES
Zak Lobko
#7 Elite Attachments/CHE Racing
“It was a great weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park,” said Lobko. “I had three seconds during the weekend, the racing between Ryder Quinn was great and respectful.
“I’m looking forward to next year, a massive thanks to the CHE Racing Team, the Formula Ford Association for holding the series, I’ve learnt so much competing in the class in 2022.”
Imogen Radburn
#29 Ironman 4x4 Kinghorn/CHE Racing Team
“We qualified 11th and in Race 1 we had a big hit in the back, which resulted in the exhaust manifold being pushed down as well as forward, while other damage was done with 12th the result,” explained Radburn.
“I came 12th again in Race 2 as this time it was clean for me, though we ran under safety car. The last event I battled hard and I enjoyed it, the race was a good one for me.”
Cameron Hill
Team Owner, CHE Racing Team
“We had a really great finish to the year,” said Hill. “Zak finished second in all three races, we thought he had the round win, but it was actually a three way tie and we finished P2 on a countback.
“Imogen set personal bests all weekend, so she had an excellent weekend as well.
“And Jimmy, although he wasn’t here this weekend, he finished second in the national series.
“All in all, I’m very happy with the year and it’s a bit of what could have been for us, but we can’t wait to come back next year to give it another good crack.”
