FIFTEEN–YEAR-OLD Invercargill racing driver Alex Crosbie is the 2022 New Zealand Formula Ford Champion.
Alex, a Year 11 pupil at Southland Boys’ High School, sealed the title in the last race of the championship at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna, Christchurch, on Sunday.
The NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship was held over two rounds this season, the first at Taupo International Motorsport Park in March, where Alex took four third placings on his first visit to the circuit to leave the round third overall in his Ray GR21.
On Sunday, Alex qualified second and went on to place second in the first of the four races. He then took his first race win in the class in the second race of the round before a third in the third race. Alex went to the start line for the final race second in the points and crossed the line in second, the result good enough to seal the win in his first attempt at the national title.
Alex not only became the New Zealand Champion but also won Class 1 in the championship and took the Rookie Of The Year title.
As his success sunk in at the end of racing, Alex said he was “quite excited” by the success.
“I had no problems on the day and all went well. I have to thank Mum and Dad, Motorsport Solutions, NAPA Auto Parts and the Hampton Downs Motorsport Academy for their support
of the series.”
Winning the title opens up some exciting opportunities for Alex. He will receive a test in a Toyota Racing Series FT-60 chassis courtesy of Toyota GAZOO Racing and he also receives free entry to the annual Formula Ford Festival at the famous Brands Hatch circuit in the United Kingdom.
Before tackling the national series, Alex had secured third place in the 2021/2022 South Island F1600 Championship.
He has a varied motorsport background having successfully competed in karts, taking a third place at the nationals and a second at the National Schools Kartsport Championship
while also competing across the Tasman in the past.
He also competes in speedway, recently winning the Pits Media Trophy with six wins, two seconds and a third placing after rounds at Invercargill, Dunedin and Cromwell. He has
also had the occasional saloon car outings at Teretonga Park.
- Lindsay Beer. Photo: Terry Marshall
