Whatshot
Ford On The Podium At Zwartkops
Ford On The Podium At Zwartkops
Formato started out fifth on the grid in his EcoBoost-powered Focus ST in the first race. Teammate Shaun Duminy who is still recovering from surgery after his Achilles heel injury at the last event was forced to sit out the Zwartkops event.
With Duminy side-lined Garth Waberski and Niyaaz Modak joined the Ford fray for the weekend piloting the two previous generation Focus STs.
Formato finished fourth, third and second in the day's three respective heats demonstrating the steady progress the team is making in what was only the second outing for the new Focus ST.
"The car is really coming into its own," said Formato. "The power and handling proved to be consistent throughout the races. In the closing heat we lead for the whole race - it was only right at the end we were pipped into second place."
Modak's weekend was prematurely cut short when he was involved in a multi-car accident in the second heat. Modak escaped unharmed but the car was severely damaged. Waberski meanwhile quickly got to grips with his Focus ST finishing in an eventual third place overall.
The next round of the championship takes place on a revised Durban street circuit on June 15 and 16.
"There is a six-week break until the next event," explains Ford Racing Manager John Nagel. "This gives us ample time to work on further developing the new cars. Being a street circuit there is likely to be an element of the unknown for everyone at the Durban event, a factor that is sure to make for exciting spectating for the fans."
Team Ford Racing's efforts would not be possible without the support of its dedicated sponsors: SMD, Castrol, 888Performance and Leda Panel Beaters.

