A best ever result in the national Formula Ford series got Invercargill driver Brendon Leitchs 2011/2012 championship underway at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna in Christchurch today.
The recently turned 16-year-old finished fifth in the feature race of the weekend, the Ron Frost Memorial Trophy event, to add to a pair of sixth placings earlier in the weekend to get his championship challenge off to a flying start. He left the circuit at the end of the day sitting fourth in the championship.
Leitch finished ninth overall in the championship last season and second in the rookie standings in his national debut. During that time his best race result was sixth place. This weekend he went one better. The round wasn't totally troublefree however. There were several issues on his way to sixth place in qualifying and then he was forced to drive one handed in the opening race as he held the EH Ball/ITM Stealth in gear on his way to sixth.
On Sunday there were handling issues but Brendon gained a scored a sixth place in the morning race before gaining fifth in the Ron Frost Memorial Trophy Race.
The young Southlander was "really pleased" with his start to the championship. The next round takes place at Brendons home circuit, Teretonga Park in Invercargill, from 13-15 January and it is a prospect he is keenly anticipating. "I'm looking forward to competing on my home track and having the hometown advantage that the Canterbury guys had here this weekend."
