A weekend-long recovery from a race one crash and a stunning qualifying performance continue to show Team BRM driver John Magro’s growing strength in the Australian Formula Ford Championship, following last weekend’s round at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria.
Magro, who hails from Mango farming country in Far-North Queensland, finished the final race of the weekend in 10th position after a race one shunt left his car battered and, even worse, at the back of the grid.
Sporting new sponsorship from Unit Clothing, Magro’s #20 car hovered around the top 12 in practice earlier in the weekend before a stunning lap from the 20-year-old Queenslander saw him line up seventh on the grid, less than eight-tenths from pole.
In race one Magro got as far as turn one before unfortunately collecting the rear of another competitor’s car, sending the Unit Clothing car out of the race.
Starting 23rd and last for the second race – held in wet conditions on Saturday evening – Magro charged through the field in the seven-lap dash to finish a strong 14th, less than 10 seconds outside the top ten.
Magro was able to make up those positions in the third and final race, crossing the line in 10th position to add a championship point to his score.
He now sits 13th in the championship after with 16 points, only eight behind 10th placed Taz Douglas with three of the scheduled eight rounds completed.
Magro said that he was pleased with the weekend’s performance despite the race one incident.
”Qualifying went really well. I did a faster rolling lap on the data but to line up seventh was a good effort, ” He said.
”Race one was just a stupid mistake on my behalf. I came into the corner a bit too hot and unfortunately crashed into Brad Lowe who was in front of me.
”It launched the car into the air and I was surprised to see my rear suspension overtaking me on one side!
”It was just one of those things, but it won’t happen again! ” He said.
The laconic Queenslander was particularly happy with his comeback in the second and third races, however, and said that it was good to be back in the points after a tough start to the event.
”It’s really pleasing to get a top ten at the end of the weekend given what happened in race one, ” he said.
”Everyone else had new tyres on in the third race and despite that my best rolling lap was almost as quick as the guys leading the race which is proof that the pace is there.
”Thanks to the team for a great job at the weekend and thanks also to Unit Clothing for their support. ”
John Magro, the Unit Clothing #11 car and Team BRM will next be in action at Eastern Creek Raceway over the Queens Birthday Long weekend, June 9 – 11.
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