Clean Sweep For Conroy On debut

MEDIA RELEASE

18 NOVEMBER 2013

Clean Sweep For Conroy On debut 

Invercargill driver Jamie Conroy has made a stunning debut in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, powering his Mygale to a clean sweep in the opening three races at Timaru International Motor Raceway.

The championship rookie had been fastest in practice on Friday but a session riddled with stoppages cost him dearly in qualifying after being fastest early in the twenty minute session. However he still qualified second behind championship rival Michael Collins of Christchurch and a slot on the front row saw the Southlander accelerate off into the lead in the first race. The Canterbury driver kept the pressure on over the entire 10 lap distance but one of Conroy's strengths is his ability to withstand pressure and he kept his cool to record a win in his first national championship race. The victory gave him pole position for the second race and another very good start gave Conroy a lead he held all the way despite the close attention of Collins. The third and final race saw Conroy make another great start to lead away once again. The finale was a longer race over 12 laps and as the leaders began lapping backmarkers Conroy was able to make his way through the traffic better to pull out a good lead.

"I'm stoked," said Conroy as he reflected on his weekend. "Starting out in a national championship you never know what to expect but Wal (Willmott), myself and Evolution Motorsport have worked for two months flat out and we came away with the win."

Wal Willmott is someone the team speak very highly of. Wal was one of the original mechanics with Bruce McLaren's team and has a wealth of motorsport knowledge. The Mygale is a 2008 model but it is based on old technology which Wal knows like the back of his hand. However he also loves the information provided by the car's Motec data system. Wal has been a huge help to Jamie who says, "I can't believe how much Wal has taught me!" 

Preparation is another key for Jamie and his team. Prior to the season they stripped the car twice, checking things thoroughly and discovering things such as bent steering. Throughout the weekend they also changed a lot on the car, improving it as they went. 

Despite the stunning start the team is not getting ahead of themselves. "We have won the first three races - there are a lot to go," says Jamie's father Richard. Jamie will contest both the NZ Championship this summer as well as the South Island Championship. The next National Championship round is at his home circuit Teretonga in January and the next South Island round is at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna, Christchurch at the beginning of December.

Twenty-two year old Conroy comes from a successful karting background with two South Island Championship titles and a National Schools karting title among other accolades. His motor racing has been confined to club racing in a variety of cars provided by Rick Michels of Evolution Motorsport in Invercargill. Jamie has repeatedly broken the 0-1300cc lap record at Teretonga in a Star Car.

Jamie Conroy's Formula Ford campaign is supported by Horgan Farms, Evolution Motorsport, Progressive Engineering Southland Ltd, Waikato Milking Systems, Gulf, John Deere, Gallagher, SP Tools, Hydraulink, George Wilson Sales Ltd, Sievwright Auto, PPG, E Hayes, Southern Wide Real Estate, Radcliffe Electrical and R & A Williams. 

CALENDAR - 2013/2014 NZ FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1: 17 November 2013 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 2: 11-12 January 2014 - Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 3: 18-19 January 2014 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 4: 1-2 February 2014 - Hampton Downs, Waikato
Round 5: 8-9 February 2014 - Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6: 8-9 March 2014 - Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo

ENDS

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