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[FF] A big step forward for Mostert..
by Sean Henshelwood
pic: Chris Von Wieldt
A big step forward for Mostert in Tassie
November 23, 2008
“The break has been really positive, it’s allowed me to think about the way the season has gone, and develop a new mindset ahead of the final two rounds,” Chaz Mostert admitted immediately prior to the penultimate round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains.
Clearly something had changed, the talented former national junior karting champion adopting a much more aggressive approach to his season, and immediately inside the top ten in opening practice.
“We tested recently at Oran Park,” Eddie Mostert confirmed, “and Chaz wouldn’t tell you, but he was actually quicker than team-mate Paul Laskazeski (national championship leader) and recently crowned NSW champion Ryan Simpson.
“A lot of it has been due to his own soul-searching – looking at why he’s not been inside the top ten, which he attributes to being in awe of some of the more experienced drivers, so he found himself giving respect. He’s got more experience under his belt now, and he also discovered that despite showing courtesy, there wasn’t much being shown to him..
“Moving to Synergy Motorsport too has seen some serious improvement, especially being able to tap into the knowledge of guys like Laskazeski and team-boss Justin Cotter. Now we’re starting to make some serious forward moves and are really looking forward to Oran Park where Chaz is at the point where he could quite possibly make the podium.”
Straight out of the box it was clear that Chaz was likely to make an impression in Tasmania, setting a time in practice less than four tenths off pace-setter Laskazeski. Qualifying too netted a strong result, setting the seventh fastest time to top pre-season favourite Nick Percat.
“That felt pretty good,” Chaz said post-qualifying. “I know there’s more in the car, and more in me, but to be ahead of Percat is a pretty good start.
As the leaders battled through the early laps or race one, Chaz settled into a comfortable rhythm in seventh just off the tail of the lead pack. By mid-race he was being held up by Walter and took a look up the inside at the hairpin, only to lock a wheel and spin under brakes. “I must have gotten too far into the dirty line, and as soon as I braked it just snapped left,” Chaz shrugged afterwards. Clearly frustrated by the loss of position as he waited to rejoin the circuit, Chaz set a blistering late race pace, to record a best lap less than four tenths off pace-setter Daniel Erickson.
Race two though saw a brilliant charge through the field from eleventh to fifth, taking four cars on lap eleven alone. “That was better, I really enjoyed that, especially fighting with Lindbom. I think these guys are starting to see that I’ve got pace now.. They’re no easier to pass, but they’re at least giving me some racing room now, so I guess that’s a little bit of respect..”
After recording his best result of the season, Chaz backed up in race three to match his race two result, scoring a season high seventh outright. Fourth on lap one, turned to seventh on lap five, but Chaz showed his mettle by forcing his way back to fifth by lap 12, setting his fastest lap of the weekend in the process.
“I’m pretty happy with that,” he grinned.. “The break gave me some serious thinking time, and I knew I needed to be more assertive. These guys are good, but I know that I can match them, I just needed to think it through..
“I can’t wait for Oran Park, and to be confirmed as part of the Synergy team for next year is fantastic news. I’d really like to thank Justin and the guys for the belief they’ve shown in me, I just hope I can repay them next year with a win or two..”
Chaz and the Synergy Motorsport team now head to Oran Park for the series decider on December 5-7 where Chaz will be looking for his maiden podium, and Synergy, victory in the 2008 Championship with points leader Laskazeski..
Qualifying
1. Paul Laskazeski (56.0442), 2. Daniel Erickson (56.1443), 3. Scott Pye (56.2181), 4. Glen Wood (56.2336), 5. Ben Walter (56.3220), 6. Jake Chapman (56.3558), 7. Chaz Mostert (56.5386), 8. Nick Percat (56.5529), 9. Ryan Simpson (56.6028), 10. Chris Goodman (56.6055)
Race 1 (15-laps)
1. Glen Wood (Spectrum 011b), 2. Jake Chapman (Spectrum 011b), 3. Nick Percat (Mygale SJ07A), 4. Kristian Lindbom (Mygale SJ07A), 5. Daniel Erickson (Spectrum 011b), 6. Ben Walter (Spectrum 011c), 7. Ryan Simpson (Spectrum 011c), 8. Lucas Dumbrell (Mygale SJ07A), 9. Nathan Morcom (Spectrum 011d), 10. Jesse Dixon (Spectrum 011b), 11. Chaz Mostert (Spectrum 011)
Race 2 (15-laps)
1. Nick Percat (Mygale SJ07A), 2. Paul Laskazeski (Spectrum 011b), 3. Ryan Simpson (Spectrum 011c), 4. Kristian Lindbom (Mygale SJ07A), 5. Chaz Mostert (Spectrum 011), 6. Nathan Morcom (Spectrum 011d), 7. Nick Foster (Mygale SJ08A), 8. Chris Goodman (Spectrum 011c), 9. Ben Walter (Spectrum 011c), 10. Ray Chamberlain (Van Diemen RF06)
Race 3 (15-laps)
1. Nick Percat (Mygale SJ07A), 2. Paul Laskazeski (Spectrum 011b), 3. Daniel Erickson (Spectrum 011b), 4. Nathan Morcom (Spectrum 011d), 5. Chaz Mostert (Spectrum 011), 6. Kristian Lindbom (Mygale SJ07A), 7. Scott Pye (Spectrum 011b), 8. Glen Wood (Spectrum 011b), 9. Lucas Dumbrell (Mygale SJ07A), 10. Ben Walter (Spectrum 011c)
2008 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship
Series points (points after seven rounds of eight):
1. Paul Laskazeski (305 points), 2. Nick Percat (252), 3. Kristian Lindbom (196), 4. Daniel Erickson (162), 5. Ben Morley (151), 6. Adam Graham (146), 7. Scott Pye (119), 8. Jake Chapman (105), 9. Brad Lowe (99), 10. Rob Storey (46), 14. Chaz Mostert (30)
Chaz Mostert is proudly supported by Synergy Motorsport, Kitco Transport, DIY Pool Fencing, Quality Plasterboard Accessories, Absolute Glass, Northline Transport, Logan Village Smash, Beenleigh Auto Trim and Comspread Engineering.
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