Tough Round 1 for Brabham

Matthew Brabham successfully completed his maiden race in the 1st round of the National Formula Ford Championship held at the Albert Park circuit as a support race to the Australian Grand Prix here today.

Driving the famed Albert Park circuit for the first time Matthew had a difficult qualifying session on Thursday which included an engine misfire and the inability to get a clear lap without any mistakes or traffic, the result was a 18th starting position and the prospect of a challenging race ahead.

In Saturday's race 1 Matthew made a great start and was steadily moving through the field, at one point he had made his way up to 12th place, but in the process of making another pass a trip across the grass undid all the good work and he had to start all over again.  When the chequered flag came out after 8 laps Matthew had clawed his way back for an eventful 16th place finish.

"After a disappointing qualifying run the other day I knew the race was going to be tough", according to Matthew after the race.  "But it was great fun and really good experience for me even though I would have liked to be further towards the front.  After a great start I just out braked myself trying to pass another car and had to watch a lot of cars pass me again while I was sliding on the grass.  Apart from that I was happy to get to the finish and I am really looking forward to tomorrow's race to see if I can improve on today's result."

Race two of the Australian Grand Prix week end on Sunday ended after just one and a half laps of the Albert Park circuit due to an acident by another competitor that required medical attention.  Time restraints leading up to the Grand Prix meant there was no time for the race to be restarted.

Matthew started race two where he finished race one in 16th place and another good start saw Matthew up to 12th place when the pace car came on to the circuit.

"It was disappointing that we had just over one lap of racing as my car felt good and I was really hoping for a strong race, but these things happen in racing and it is all part of the learning experience,"  Matthew said after the race.

Because race two did not complete the required distance there will be no points awarded towards the National Formula Ford Championship.

Matthew's next race will be the Victorian State round at the Phillip Island circuit on April 17th to 18th.