Former Ginetta Junior Championship front-runner Niall Murray has taken his landmark first victory in single-seater racing in the Northern Ireland Formula Ford Championship.
Murray has been a regular podium visitor in his maiden single-seater season and in the latest rounds at Kirkistown, the 2010 Ginetta Junior Ireland champion followed up a third place in the opening race with a hard-fought first win in race two.
After dropping to fifth early on, Murray fought back to fourth at mid-distance before benefitting from contact in front to move up to second. Battling with Jonny McMullan late on for the lead, a great move into the final corner allowed him to out-drag him to the line and take a dramatic win.
The 18 year old is currently competing in both the Irish and Northern Irish Formula Ford 1600 Championships, sitting third in both points standings heading into the combined season finale at Mondello Park on September 14/15.
Murray will then return to England to compete in the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy at the end of the season.
“I’m absolutely thrilled about the whole weekend,” said Murray. “Every time I’ve driven the car I’ve gone quicker. As a team we’ve worked hard to perfect the setup and it’s fantastic to reward their efforts with this result. I’m really looking forward to the final two rounds at Mondello, where two strong results would secure second in both championships for me!”
The Irishman competed in Ginetta Juniors in 2011 and 2012, taking a total of seven wins as he finished in the top four in the championship both years.
