Isaac Demellweek closes title fight after opening race victory

Isaac Demellweek has taken full advantage of an Oli Wickham mistake to take victory in treacherous conditions to open the Yokohama Tyre AASA Australian Formula Ford Championship action at Sydney Motorsport Park.

In what is becoming an enthralling title fight, Demellweek was running strong during the middle segment of the race and closed by 0.4s prior to Wickham running wide at Turn 2, which proved decisive when his championship rival took the lead.

Although Wickham recovered quickly, a spin ended his chances and allowed Demellweek  to take the win.

The lead duo had built up such a gap Wickham remained in second ahead of Hunter Salvatore, who enjoyed his first podium of the season.

While Demellweek did his title chances no harm, fellow contender Seth Burchartz dropped back at the start and only recovered back to eighth in the end.

Behind the lead trio, Will Lowing continued to accumulate points in fourth after surviving a clash with Jamie Rowe, which led the latter to retire.

A superb recovery drive by Lachie Mineeff from 14th on the grid led to fifth, while it was a similar charge for Giuseppe Imbrogno behind.

Taking his best result of the season was Will Hickey in seventh ahead of Burchartz, Sam March and Brad James to complete the top 10.

Xavier Henderson was next ahead of Kaleb Belak, Tabitha Ambrose, Jett Leicester and Ryan DeBorre.

Retiring from the opening race were Rio Campbell with suspension damage and the previously mentioned Rowe.

Race 2 for the Yokohama Tyre AASA Australian Formula Ford Championship is scheduled for 8:10pm AEST.