Virus No Problem Says Lobb

Media Release: Thursday 29th February
MTA Formula Ford National Championship 2007-8
Round 6 Levels International Motor Raceway 29th February to 2nd March

Being hit with a serious virus prior to the penultimate round of the MTA Formula Ford National Championship this weekend at Timaru is no problem says top contender Caine Lobb.

"I came down with the shingles a couple of days ago and didn't get much of a sleep last night but it won't be a problem. Today at morning practice I set the fastest time by .3 of a second so we are quietly confident at the moment." said the Northland driver.

Shingles is a disease derived from Chicken Pox and affects those who have suffered from that by being restimulated at a later date. Mostly hitting those over the age of 60 it can strike anyone at any age.

Lobb is currently sitting in fourth place in the championship 13 points behind rookie Stefan Webling after an incident filled season with just two rounds left to run. However he does have six races with which to close the gap on those drivers ahead of him in the championship standings including leader John Whelan who has 948 points to Lobb's 715.

There are a maximum of 75 points available with each race and also above Lobb is Auckland driver Andrew Waite with 852.

The previous round at Manfeild in Feilding earlier in February, Lobb finished second overall behind Whelan. He appears to have shaken off the unlucky streak which has prevented him from taking as many race wins and points as expected considering his racing speed and he has achieved more pole positions than any other driver this season.

This weekend's round is at Levels International Motor Raceway in Timaru followed by Teretonga Park, Invercargill next weekend which will play into the hands of Lobb after being based in Christchurch for a year and a half and having won races on these circuits recently.

He took out the South Island Formula Ford Championship last year ahead of John Whelan and is very familiar with these South Island circuits after the six round series.

On Saturday morning is the qualification session with the first race of the weekend in the afternoon. Races Two and Three will be held in the morning and then afternoon of Sunday.

Although it would be a major come back to win the championship from here it is quite possible with 450 points up for grabs to close in on the 233 point lead of Whelan's. Lobb has far from given up as can be seen by his impressive practice session today and is concentrating on improving his position by the end of this championship before looking to a new challenge for next season.

Championship Standings before Round Six at Timaru