MOTORSPORT - Ford title to Lobb at Ruapuna

Caine Lobb's 2007 summer season continues to look promising after he won the annual Formula Ford Festival at Ruapuna International Raceway in Christchurch.
Lobb, who last month secured the Formula Ford Winter Series title, shone early on in the three heat races on Sunday with two first places and a second. Though he was forced to make his way up the field from the back of the pack in two of the races due to random starting positions, he was unable to be held back.
"In the second race I had to start from the back but I somehow managed to get up near the front by the second lap on the wet track," Lobb said.
The Whangarei driver went on to finish that race in second.
With three heats completed, Lobb earned himself pole position for the all-important fourth and final race which was where it all counted.
The prize package up for grabs included fully paid entry into the Summer Season's MTA Formula Ford National Championship which starts on November 2 at Pukekohe and continues for seven rounds around the country.
Lobb won the final race ahead of Andrew Waite and John Whelan, who are both strong contenders in the national Formula Ford field.
Lobb has been spending time in the Hydraulink Ford over the winter and is very happy with the performance of the car which has been rebuilt, tuned and maintained by Motorsport Solutions.
"The team's put together an excellent package with the car and it really showed today at the festival," Lobb said.
"I had a really good day and sometimes managed to get quite a long way ahead of the other drivers. Dad's pretty happy with the prize which is going to save him some money - so tonight, he's shouting me dinner."
Lobb, who is based at the Ruapuna circuit as an assistant instructor at Canterbury Motor Racing School, will be a driver to watch in the upcoming summer season, in what will be his first full campaign in the Formula Ford series.