Top-five consistency for Taylor at Australian F3 opener
Victorian Ben Taylor started his 2022 Australian Formula 3 Championship campaign with consistent top-five results across the opening round at Sydney Motorsport Park after a year out of the seat.
After 349 days on the sidelines due to the global pandemic, the category roared back into life in Sydney including a feature race held under the lights; the first time ever for the category.
Debuting a new-look #25 UCS Group Racing TMR F3 livery, Taylor struggled with pace especially after a minor meeting with a wall during practice on Saturday. However, the Melbournian worked on consistently improving times on day one to qualify fifth with a time of 1m25.5640s.
In Race 1, the Tim Macrow Racing driver improved to a fourth-place finish, followed by two fifth places. Taylor was on track for a podium finish in the final feature race however slowed on the last lap due to leg cramps.
“My results really weren’t ideal and I don’t think it shows the pace we had in testing last year when we couldn’t race, but after a year out of the seat every lap is important and so is finishing every race which we did,” said Taylor.
“Tim, Terry and the team have put so much work into the car during the offseason and I love the look of the new UCS livery. I’m very grateful to have them on board this year to support me and I’m looking forward to Round 2 at Tailem Bend to improve my starts and overall pace.”
Round 1 Results:
Practice 1 – 4th (1:28.2937)
Practice 2 – 4th (1:27.8449)
Practice 3 – 4th (1:28.2708)
Qualifying – 5th 1:25.5640
Race 1 – 4th
Race 2 – 5th
Race 3 – 5th
In the championship standings, Taylor currently sits fourth outright. Round 2 of the Australian Formula 3 Championship will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia from April 22-24, 2022.
FULL RESULTS: http://www.formula3.com.au/results2.asp?id=221sydn
REWATCH THE LIVE STREAM HERE: https://amrseries.com.au/amrs-rd1-live-stream/
Ben Taylor wishes to acknowledge the following sponsors for 2022: UCS Group, Janev Building, Revolution Racegear, Northern Helmet Paint, Cambox Meca Australia and Tim Macrow Racing.