Super Cheap Auto AG Racing Oran Park notes

18 August, 2003 - Since making his debut in the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship this year Adam Graham has been continually improving and last weekend snared his first ever Championship point.

After knocking on the door of a top 10 finish at the previous round in Queensland the Super Cheap Auto Spectrum driver started the weekend out in sensational fashion during qualifying sitting as high as 4th in the opening session before eventually qualifying tenth.

"Everything sort of fell into place I got a quick lap early which was good, one of the rare times when I can say I have been happy with qualifying," smiled Graham after qualifying.

During the opening laps it was a case of staying out of trouble and on the track for Graham while several of his competitors found this a challenge in it's self he dropped several spots to be 15th.

Continuing to grow in confidence the 18-year-old picked up spots one by one to cross the line in 11th position, one place shy of a Championship point.

Starting from 11th Graham held his own during the first few laps to settle into a rhythm and had maintained his position until a safety car period mid race to retrieve stranded car in turn one. Just prior to the restart Graham was passed by Championship contender, Glen Hastings who was down the order due to a problem in race one.

Following Hastings Graham picked up the pace and then grabbed the opportunity when a Kurt Wimmer spun at high speed in front of Hastings to move into ninth spot and on track for his first Championship points. With two laps remaining Graham was relegated back to 10th by Hastings.

He maintained his top 10 spot to gain his first career Championship point. Graham was obviously delighted to finish inside the top 10 in his Rookie year "My aim has always been to be as fast as I possibly can and get some good results, now I have finally got a Championship point," smiled Graham.

"Everything was good all weekend and I knew if we just kept at it a point or two would come my way. It's great to finally get that monkey of my back.

"It was interesting following Glen (Hastings) I realised that I wasn't that much slower than him in most of the track it was just a little bit here and there and I now look forward to bigger and better things to finish the year on a high."

The round was won by Neil McFadyen ahead of Tony Pugliese and Adam Macrow.

Mallala Motorsport Park will host the penultimate round of the Championship on August 30/31.

-ag-