Round 5 2023 - Sandown Preview

Round 5 of the 2023 Australian Formula Ford series to be held at Sandown this weekend starts a 3 round, 2 months run into the season finale at The Bend in October.

The first 4 rounds of the season have thrown up plenty of close exciting racing on a national stage including supporting Supercars in Tasmania and the Shannon’s Sprint Series in Winton.

Leading the series after 4 rounds is Sonic Motor Racing driver Matt Hillyer. Having won 7 of the 12 races this season, Hillyer has shot out to 184 points for the season. If not for a bad round in Tasmania where he only scored 16 of a possible 60 points, Hillyer could find himself in an extremely dominant position heading into these final 3 rounds.

Right behind him is CHE Driver Zak Lobko. Lobko has won only 2 of the 12 races this year but has consistently scored points in the double figures each race, which has ensured he stays within reach of the series lead some 17 points back in second place on 167 points.

While Hillyer and Lobko seem to be the 2 favoured drivers to take out the series the battle of 3rd place is just as hot with 3 drivers all in contention. Xavier Kokai currently leads that battle on 127 points ahead of Jake Santalucia on 123 points and Eddy Beswick on 110.

33 cars are set to start on the grid this weekend with the National series running in conjunction with the Victorian State Racing Series for their 4th round of the season.

Times for the Weekend

Friday 11th Practice – 1010 (15 mins), 1150 (15 mins), 1355 (20 mins), 1600 (20 mins)

Saturday 12 Qualifying at 1030 (20 mins), Race 1 at 1350

Sunday 13th Race 2 at 1025 and Race 3 at 1405