31/07/2008 - Second on the Podium for Tweedie

With the NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship winding down, Tom Tweedie was eager to break through for a maiden round victory when the fourth round was fought out last weekend at Oran Park Raceway on the Grand Prix long circuit.

After showing great speed throughout Friday’s practice sessions, Tweedie was unable to repeat that form in qualifying on Saturday morning when he was second behind Anglo Australian Motorsport team-mate Ryan Simpson also finishing in second place in all three races behind Simpson as well but felt his car set-up had changed and was not quite 100% so his team worked on it trying to find Fridays form.

Tweedie remains in a comfortable second place in the NSW Championship point standings and still remains a slim hope of denying Simpson of NSW Championship success.

“We finished in second once again and to be honest after the promise we showed in practice on Friday, it is disappointing that we weren’t even more competitive,” Tweedie commented.

“It was a tough weekend where I was unable to get off to better starts than Ryan [Simpson] in all three races and that saw me unable to challenge for race wins.

“Everything was looking good in the second race when I managed a good start and was right on the tail of Ryan only to spin on oil on the opening lap and dropped right down the order to last but was able with some hard driving to work back up through the field to second place but not near enough to Ryan to threaten him."

"The third race was reduced to five laps on the short South circuit due to heavy rain and flooding so after Ryan just won the start I had no opportunities to pass him on this tight [and wet] circuit so maintained second place to add to my points score and second outright in the round.”

Tweedie is still an outside chance of taking out the NSW Championship this year, but will have to lay it all on the line when the fifth and penultimate round is played out at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park Raceway on August 16 – 17.

“Wakefield Park is where I had a great battle with Ryan [Simpson] in the opening round and I’m confident I can return to the winner’s circle,” Tweedie enthused.

“The NSW Championship is still there for the taking but I’m going to have to rely on Ryan having a bit of bad luck and I’m certainly going to be there waiting if that happens.”

"Additionally I would like to thank Sam Sofi of Trans West Insurance Brokers for their confidence and support as a chance to join Formula 3 next year has now become available possibly if I don't continue with National level Formula Ford".

FURTHER INFORMATION and results can be obtained from:-

• http://www.anglomotorsport.com.au
• http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?25/05/2008.ARDC
• http://www.formulaford1600.com.au/STATE/nsw%202008/2008nsw.htm
• http://www.ff1600.org.au