English driver Oliver White has upstaged the locals in the Factory Enterprises Historic Formula Ford races held at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour today, coming out on top in both after a tight tussle with Tom Tweedie.
Driving one of the Davison family-owned Ecurie Australie Reynard Class Fc (1984-89) Formula Fords, White qualified second and took the early lead in Race 1 after polesitter Cameron Walters fell back with overheating issues.
White was then challenged by Tweedie’s Van Diemen RF86, the two cars swapping positions on Con-Rod Straight a couple of times, before White ultimately held on for victory.
The former Mazda Road to Indy Shootout runner-up and Walter Hayes Trophy contender repeated the performance in Race 2, leading all the way despite pressure from Tweedie.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying this circuit, and I couldn’t be happier with how my Bathurst debut weekend has gone,” White said.
“Tom was right behind me all the way through the second race, and I had to drive to the limit to stay in the lead.”
Richard Davison was third in Race 1, while Andrew McInnes finished third in Race 2 – a fine recovery after he started the first race from the back of the grid after a broken throttle cable in qualifying.
Also among the leading pack with fourth-place finishes in both races was Garry Watson, who demonstrated impressive pace in his Class Fa (pre-1978) Mawer Formula Ford.
Taking Class Fb (1978-83) wins in both races was Johnny Greig, who capitalised on the retirement of Todd Willing from Race 1 with a broken stub-axle.
The third and final Historic Formula Ford race will be held at 7:55 tomorrow morning, and live streamed via the Bathurst 6 Hour website.
