CHE Racing driver Tom Sargent has been crowned the 2021 Victorian Formula Ford Champion, following the declaration of the 2021 championship after three rounds.
Sargent clean-swept the opening round of the championship at Sandown in February, winning all three races. He repeated his domination in the second round at Winton in March; as well as adding another of trio of wins to his tally, he also broke the long-standing circuit lap record on three separate occasions.
The third round was held at Phillip Island in May, with Sargent again in fine form with wins in the first two races. While his winning streak came to an end due to an off-track excursion in torrentially wet rain in the final race, Sargent still emerged from the weekend with a commanding points advantage.
Two further rounds were scheduled, but organisers yesterday announced the series has been declared early due to COVID-19 outbreaks and as a result, Sargent has been awarded the title.
It marks back-to-back titles for Sargent, following on from his NSW Formula Ford Championship victory last year.
While the 19-year-old is satisfied with the title, he said it has come in unusual circumstances.
“It’s a bit of a shame with the COVID situation to not have been able to celebrate my championship win at the track, as would normally be the case,” Sargent said.
“However, it’s still a fantastic achievement for the CHE Racing Team, winning two separate Formula Ford titles in two seasons against high-quality opposition.”
Sargent also currently leads the national Formula Ford Championship after the first two rounds; while it has been severely disrupted due to COVID, Sargent is still hopeful it will resume late this year.
“Our intention the last couple of years was to win the national Formula Ford Championship; last year, we were in a great position before it was cancelled due to COVID and once again, we’ve had a compromised season,” he said.
“We need to have two more rounds for it to constitute a championship and I know the series organisers will do everything in their power to get us back on track.”
While his racing might be on hold, Sargent has been keeping busy in the workshop of his Queanbeyan-based CHE Racing Team.
“I’ve been working with Colin and Cameron Hill, helping them with workshop duties and fabrication of pieces of equipment such as tyre trolleys,” Sargent said.
“It’s keeping me busy during lockdown and I’m learning new skills, so I’m very thankful for the opportunity.”
Sargent has also confirmed the 2021 season will be his last in Formula Ford, with the talented driver’s 2022 motorsport program in the advanced stages of planning.
“2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year and I can’t wait to announce my plans soon,” Sargent concluded.
