AFTER completing an impressive debut in this year’s NSW Formula Ford 1600 Championship, Ulladulla driver Daniel Lewis is now primed to make a cameo appearance in the Australian Formula Ford Championship for the eighth and final round that is to be held at Oran Park Raceway this weekend.
Running with the Victorian based Minda Motorsport team, Lewis is set to drive the Spectrum 011B, the car John Martin took out the 2006 Australian Formula Ford Championship in, and is very excited about the weekend ahead.
“This is just a one off drive and there are no real expectations, just see how we fare out there among a strong field of very talented drivers,” said Lewis, who finished fourth in this year’s NSW Formula Ford Championship point standings.
“The Minda Motorsport team has provided me with a fabulous opportunity that I’m very grateful for and it’s one that I’m going to grab with both hands.”
One of the main attractions for Lewis in joining the Australian Formula Ford Championship for the final round was the fact that the final round was being held at Oran Park Raceway supporting the V8 Supercars.
This year in the NSW Championship Lewis showed great speed around the 2.62km circuit and in the two rounds held there he has managed to finish on the podium each time.
“I have had good runs at Oran Park this year and that has given me the confidence to test the water with the Australian Championship,” he said.
“Running the Duratec car compared to my Kent is going to be a big difference and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m not one to pre-empt any goals for the weekend, but it would be great if I could be inside the top 10.
“But we will just see how things go and take everything one step at a time.”
A number of local sponsors have got behind Lewis to make his cameo appearance in the Australian Championship a reality, with support coming from Liberty Petroleum, Milton / Ulladulla Limousine Service, Peter Smith Surveyors and Lewis Excavations.
“It’s great to have local businesses throw their support behind me in my Australian Championship round quest,” Lewis said.
“I hope that I do them proud and bring home a respectable result in a way to thank them for their generous support.”