Plummer Runs for NZ Formula First Scholarship
Victorian Junior Max karter Dan Plummer has just returned to Australia from assessments for the 2010 / 2011 New Zealand Summer Series Formula First scholarship program.
The scholarship assessment program comprised a “school” day to familiarise junior drivers with the Formula First cars, followed by a qualification assessment day in order to short-list finalists from the 30 entrants, and the final assessments on Sunday. Lap speed, consistency, public speaking, presentation and writing skills are judged by a panel of experts. Senior Toyota Motorsport representatives were interested observers of all proceedings.
After setting the fastest lap times in the dry in the qualification assessments, Dan is the first international in the ten years of the program to be selected as a finalist. The final assessment occurred on Sunday, 20th June where the Manfeild Motorpark in New Zealand was inundated with heavy rain throughout all sessions. “After a day of judging sessions both on and off the track, the seven finalists were very close in all respects. They coped well with the wet conditions” said Dennis Martin of Sabre Motorsports. In the final assessments Dan was just beaten by current Formula First competitor Hayden Pedersen.
Dennis commented “We’ve had quite a few from the US, Europe and Asia over the years, but Daniel is the first international entrant to make the final, which was great. I guess some of the Kiwi boys just have a bit more experience in extreme wet conditions. But he was less than a second off the best pace with a mid-field time in the final - so nothing to be disappointed about. He definitely has a super smooth driving technique and great potential in open wheelers.” Daniel also won the interview section easily according to Grant McDonald.
Dan rates the four days in New Zealand as “the very best fun I’ve ever had. Dennis and Sabre Motorsports were fantastic in their support and advice and it was great to see my progression over the 170 or so laps in total covered. The cars have very interesting balance and pitch sensitivity, and you need to be quite patient in order to find lap speed. I had just one session to get my head around high speed aqua planing prior to the final assessments! It was an added bonus to meet so many top New Zealand junior drivers from karting, sprint cars and rallying disciplines and I’ve definitely made some new friends and great contacts. This has certainly opened up some promising opportunities for me”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the scholarship provides a season of racing Formula First (similar to Australian Formula Vee) with Sabre Motorsports, fully sponsored by Grant McDonald of New Zealand Speedsports Magazine.
