Lobb Looks For Third Win At Ruapuna

Media Release: Friday 23rd November

The dominant force of Caine Lobb in his Hydraulink Formula Ford will hit the track at full power this weekend at the Ruapuna International Raceway where the Whangarei driver plans to take his third win in a row at the Christchurch circuit.

This time last year in his Formula Ford National Championship debut Lobb's consistency on the technical circuit earned him an unexpected round win at Ruapuna against the tough field of national drivers including last year's champion Sam McNeil and this year's current points leader Andrew Waite.

Proving the win was no fluke Lobb more recently again claimed victory at the circuit last month where at the Formula Ford Festival he took two first places and a second out of the three heats, pole position and a win for the grand finale all-important fourth race. Overall Lobb staked his claim on the South Island circuit where he is expected to be extremely strong again this weekend.

A mere 22 points behind current leader Andrew Waite after the first round at Pukekohe at the start of the month, Lobb won't be letting any slip-ups occur after a time penalty relegated his win in Race One to a third place after the officials deemed him to have jumped the start. At the end of the weekend that five second penalty ultimately handed the round win over to Auckland driver Andrew Waite who was on his home circuit.

Lobb however won the most important race of the weekend and after taking victory on a wet track in Race Three was awarded the Ron Frost Memorial Trophy and Auckland Car Club 75th Anniversary Trophy which were awarded to the winner of that race regardless of round standings. He also was awarded a brand new helmet for picking up pole position in Saturday morning's qualification.

Caine Lobb calls Ruapuna his home circuit as he is currently based at Christchurch where he works at the track as an assistant instructor at the Canterbury Motor Racing School. Obviously this means he has very sound knowledge of the layout and with guidance from top instructor and employer Andrew Neale can find speed where perhaps no one else can.

This time last year Sunday brought with it a storm and some very undesirable conditions for the drivers and even resulted in the postponement of the final Mini Challenge race it was so nasty. Lobb battled the elements placing third and earned enough points to win the round over reigning champion Andrew McNeil. Lobb showed then and subsequently that he is a strong wet weather driver so will be ready for anything this weekend.

Caine Lobb won both the South Island Formula Ford Championship last season and the Winter Series Championship this year. This his first full season in the MTA Formula Ford National Championship and is 22 points behind current leader Andrew Waite after one round and 20 points ahead of team mate and third placed John Whelan.