Ryan How is looking forward to putting Australian Formula Open on the map when the series makes its Shannons SpeedSeries debut at Sandown International Raceway next month.
Currently four rounds into its inaugural season, the series will join five other national categories to take the track at the popular Victorian circuit for three action-packed races across the weekend.
Designed to provide young drivers the opportunity to gain valuable experience before heading overseas, the series features a diverse range of open wheel vehicles including Formula 3, Formula 4 and Formula Renault.
With each class being split by their vehicle type, it promotes equal competition among their competitors while giving them a chance to climb the ranks in formula racing.
See Australian Formula Open at Sandown on 8-10 September, get your tickets at www.motorsporttickets.com.au
“The category was created so there was a place for all open wheelers in Australia to race, you don’t see cars like Formula 3 in Australia anymore, so it’s very exciting,” How said.
“There aren’t many open wheel categories anymore in general, especially with the numbers we get. It is exciting to see them back in this format with some great drivers on the grid.
“We are expecting a lot of numbers, we had 25 cars last time we were in Victoria, and we could be expecting the same again.
“It’s nice to be finally putting the category on the map, I believe it belongs in the top tier of motorsport in Australia.”
Heading into Sandown, Trent Grubel currently leads the AF01 standings with seven outright wins to his name, cementing himself as the current favourite to take out the inaugural title.
Although, after dominating the proceedings at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park back in June, How has significantly closed the gap to his Tim Macrow Racing teammate.
With only 21 points separating the duo ahead of round five, How has an opportunity to take advantage of the penultimate round being at his home circuit.
“I would really like to win this year, it’s been a very hard slog, but we have my home round at Sandown coming up, where I have a lot of people coming to support me and I think it is possible to change the position from two to one,” How added.
“I haven’t been to Sandown in a while. This will be the first time I drive an open wheel car around there so it will be interesting, there will be a lot of strategy involved.
“Trent and I feel like we are just getting better and better, the battle is expected to be quite close and will come down to who can get the better jump off the line.
“We work together quite a lot, we have a decent relationship and there is a lot of respect on track, it’s really good.”
Australian Formula Open will join the Shannons SpeedSeries schedule for round five of its inaugural season at Sandown International Raceway on 8-10 September.