Americans Set Hot Pace in Manfeild Test

Jan 28, 2002
Palmerston North, New Zealand — Team USA Scholarship winners A.J. Allmendinger and Bryan Sellers continued their excellent form Down Under by posting some impressive lap times during a test over the weekend at Manfeild Autocourse in the township of Feilding, near Palmerston North, on New Zealand’s North Island.
The one-day session gave the two young Americans an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the fast, flowing, technically demanding, 1.88-mile track in preparation for this weekend’s final round of the Talley’s New Zealand International Formula Ford Championship. Sellers currently holds a commanding lead in the title chase after six of the eight races.

“I had a good day,” said Sellers, after posting a lap time of 1:12.8, which according to observers, was very close to the existing Formula Ford lap record. “I don’t see going much quicker there really; I think it was a pretty good lap.

“It’s a neat place,” continued the 19-year-old from Centerville, Ohio, “and different to anything I’ve ever driven on before. There are a lot of looping corners — kind of like a bunch of ovals attached, all going in different directions. It’s intimidating, and really gives you something to work at.”

Allmendinger was not far behind, turning a lap at 1:13.2 in his similar red-white-and-blue Van Diemen, while local driver Brady Kennett, who won one of the races last weekend at Pukekohe, posted a 1:13.5.

“Today went OK,” said Allmendinger. “I’m just not real comfortable in the car. I don’t trust it in the middle of the corners, so that’s hurting me. It’s frustrating, especially with how well Bryan’s doing. He’s really doing a great job and I’ve got to get up there with him.”

The weekend off between races at Pukekohe and Manfeild also has allowed the two young Americans an opportunity to build upon the friendships they have made during their extended visit to New Zealand. Prior to the Manfeild test, they stayed in Auckland with the family of Nick Ross, who won the second event at Pukekohe, and then were due to stay with Brady Kennett prior to next weekend’s pair of races.

“That’s one of the things that’s been so enjoyable about this trip,” said Allmendinger. “We race hard on the track but we’ve met some great people. All in all, it’s been a great experience.”