Scott Malvern and Scott Pye are set to continue their titanic title battle this weekend when the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain joins the BTCC package at Donington Park. After leading the championship all season, Malvern lost his advantage last time out to Pye and is looking to come out fighting at Donington and take back his championship lead.
Malvern has never raced at Donington before, but with only five races remaining this season, he will have to learn quickly as he aims to add to the two wins he has already picked up this season. But to do so, he will have to beat the impressive Pye, who's remarkable eleven race wins this season has seen him give himself a great chance of becoming the sixth successive Mygale driving champion in the series.
In the battle of the Scott's, four points separate Englishman Malvern and Australian Pye. Cliff Dempsey Racing's Malvern had led the way from the series opener to last time out at Brands, helped by his brilliant consistency which has seen him score points in every race this season, while Jamun Racing's Pye saw his charge hampered earlier in the season with two non-scores, but his wins have seen him slowly move to the top. Their hotly contested battle will be one to keep an eye on this weekend.
There will be plenty of other drivers out on track trying to steal the limelight away from the Scott's though, none more so than Pye's Jamun team mate Josh Hill. The youngster has had a run of strong meetings recently, and will be hoping for another as he looks to chase down third place in the standings. Hill is one of three other race winners who will be out at Donington, having picked up wins at Knockhill, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.
The other race winners looking to repeat the feat at Donington are JTR pair Daniel Cammish and Tio Ellinas. Reigning Scholarship class champion Cammish is the man currently holding third in the standings, thanks to a consistent season capped off with a win overseas at Zandvoort. His team mate, Cypriot Ellinas, lays a solid sixth in the standings, helped by a superb double victory at Rockingham in July. Both drivers would love to end the season in style with another win.
The 2010 Formula Ford season has been ultra-competitive. As well as six different race winners, there have been plenty of drivers stepping foot on the Formula Ford podium. Top of his pile is Enigma Motorsport's Antti Buri, who has been consistently challenging for race wins, with five podiums this season helping him to a great fourth place in the point's standings. Another driver looking like he could pick up a win before the season is over is Jamun Racing's Danish ace Emil Bernstorff, who has picked up three podiums this season and will hope to add to that tally at Donington. 17 year old Jake Cook and Jersey-based Dan de Zille are other drivers who have picked up podium results, at Zandvoort and Knockhill respectively, with both consistent top 10 runners.
The Formula Ford championship also runs its Scholarship class, where the winner will follow in the footsteps of Cammish with a prize of a loan Van Diemen chassis and Scholar engine for the 2011 season. This class has also seen a season long battle at the top, between Luke Williams and Tristan Mingay. A crash for seven time winner Mingay last time out allowed Williams to take a 15 point championship lead heading into Donington, where he will hope to add to his ten class wins.
With a bumper crowd expected for the British Touring Car Championship s return to Donington after its recent troubles, the Formula Ford stars will be looking to put on three exciting races as the season heads towards its conclusion. With just two races remaining at Brands Hatch next weekend, the Donington weekend will be vital in deciding the fate of the 2010 crown.
Photo credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
