Young Americans Impress in First New Zealand Test

Jan 1, 2002
Christchurch, New Zealand – Instead of sitting back and enjoying the holidays, Team USA Scholarship winners A.J. Allmendinger and Bryan Sellers have been busily preparing for their assault on the New Zealand International Formula Ford Championship, which starts this coming weekend.
In fact, both youngsters bettered the existing track record on their first-ever visit to Ruapuna International Raceway, near Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. Their stunning performance left quite an impression on former New Zealand Formula Ford Champion John Crawford, who will oversee both Team USA Scholarship entries under his Canterbury Racing School/Crawford Services banner.

“I’m pretty impressed really,” said the usually low-key New Zealander. “They’re like a breath of fresh air. They’ve fitted in very nicely — very good guys to work with. Ruapuna’s a very technical track, and they’re right on the pace. We couldn’t have asked for two better guys.”

Allmendinger, 20, from Hollister, Calif., and Sellers, 19, from Centerville, Ohio, who arrived in New Zealand the day after Christmas, proved closely matched during their first two days of testing. Sellers emerged slightly the quicker on Day One with a best lap at 1:30.80 to Allmendinger’s 1:31.05, while the Californian turned the tables on Day Two by stopping the clocks at 1:30.38 to Sellers’ 1:30.49. By Crawford’s reckoning, the Formula Ford track record, set in race conditions, stands at 1:30.6.

“The Formula Ford car is very different from anything I have driven,” said Allmendinger. “I have adapted to the car very quickly and am confident and excited going into the first race. Bryan and I have worked well together and we’re both quite fast. The team has all the right resources and experience to win, and now it will be up to Bryan and I to work together as much as possible since we get limited practice time.”

Added Sellers: “The cars are difficult to drive fast and not at all what I expected. You have to be smooth and precise. We have had a range of weather conditions, with a little rain at the end of the second day. This is a very good team. I think we have everything we need to win so now it’s just a matter of doing it!”

The pair will test again at Timaru before traveling onward to the world’s southernmost race track, Teretonga, at Invercargill, for the first race next weekend, when they will have an opportunity to add their names to the famed New Zealand Grand Prix trophy. Past winners of the event include many of the world’s great drivers, including Stirling Moss, Bruce McLaren, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham.

Support for the Team USA Scholarship has been provided by CART, Steve and Christine Horne, American Honda, The Craig Company, Klein Tools, Las Vegas Karting Center, Road Racing Drivers Club, Sparco USA, Skip Barber Racing, Jim Russell Racing Drivers School and RACER magazine.