The prime seat at TanderSport, shared by Chris Reindler (A1GP) and Samantha Reid (Clipsal) so far this year, now falls to experienced New Zealander Ben Crighton.
With three years' experience in his homeland's Formula Toyota series, Formula Ford and even Formula 4000 in Australia, he gives TanderSport a solid opportunity to keep their Kiwi affiliation at the top of the podium following team Manager Garth's triple win in the V8s, at the weekend.
Jumping into Astuti Motorsports' #24 car is Ash Samadi – a name that fans of Sports and GT – style racing would be very familiar with, whilst making the step up to play with the National Class regulars this weekend will be 16-year-old Scud Racing pilot Justin Tate.
After impressing everyone with his poise, presentation and – importantly – driving talent with stunning runs at the Clipsal 500, Tate will enter his Scud Racing F301 Dallara in the National Class for the first time at the weekend, and for the remainder of the championship season.
At Clipsal Tate showed speed more akin to someone ten years his seniority when he charged from 23rd to 9th in just 13 laps on the demanding street circuit.
Tate's car has pedigree against 2004-spec machinery – it's the car Tim Macrow used to good effect in '05 and '06 – and this weekends step up in class can only accelerate Tate's already impressive F3 learning curve.
Former Trophy Class champion Graeme Holmes and an entry from local team Piccola Scuderia Corse will make up an 8-car National Class field at Oran Park this weekend.
Joining the fun will be four entries in the F3 Trophy, points leader Andrew Mill looking to challenge cars much further up the grid in his Property Solutions Group F301. South Aussie 18-year-old Jesse Wakeman will also look to take a step forward in his first visit to Oran Park whilst Rod Anderson and David Choon are also set to compete.
