Jon Collins is one of the rising stars of Formula 3. He wrote to iRace about being keen to compete with Freddie Hunt in a larger single-seater.

He is a fine example of the range of local and international drivers that are looking for Lease Drives, so if you have a F4000, or something similar, that you aren't racing yourself please contact us at irace@outlook.com.au so we can put you in contact. We also have interest for Formula 3 cars.


Here's what Jon thinks in his own words:

"It would be an honor to race in the Formula Tasman class in the iRace series. The idea of pitting some of Australia’s best young talent against international names such as Freddie Hunt and Richard Antinucci would bring huge entertainment and excitement to the Australian motoring industry.

Looking at some of the cars that have run in iRace, it would be a step up from my Formula 3 that I’m familiar with. It presents a new challenge, but one that I am ready to take on.

It’s a great event and with the international names venturing over, it’s sure to create a new avenue for sponsors and partners to get involved. I’m sure we will see quite a few big name sponsors come onboard for the event."

For those of you who aren't aware of Jon's background, here's some of the highlights:

21 yrs old from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Only started racing in 2009 with a brief appearance in Formula Vee with no previous karting experience. Managed to get into racing by following in his mothers footsteps (Mother, Sue Hughes, currently competes in a Radical sportscar). He has competed in categories such as Formula Ford in NSW, VIC and National, Radical Australia Cup and most recently the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship. His goal in motorsport is to compete in AND win the LeMan 24 hour, along with a full time factory drive in the World Endurance Championship.

Results:

2013: Formula Three Australian Drivers Championship – 3rd in the Forpark National Class Championship. Round 5 and 7 winner with a total of seven race wins and was the highest point scorer from round 4 onwards.

2012: Made history with the first mother and son driver pairing at national level (Radical Australia Cup). 2nd place on debut in the Forpark Australia National Class (Sydney Motorsport Park)

2011: CAMS/AMSF Rising Star

2010: CAMS NSW/ACT Young achiever of the year. 3rd NSW Formula Ford Championship, Rookie of the year and Pre-2000 Champion

Superior Automotive Services, run by Rodney Gibbs and Andrew Wilson, is the organisation trusted by the majority of Australia's Formula 1 car owners to prepare their cars.



See http://www.superiorautosport.com.au/motor-sports.php to get an idea of their work. Regular cars include Ferrari, Surtees, March, Ralt and Lotus, to name but a few.

For iRace competitors they are providing a free inspection and assessment so that you can be sure that your car is safe and race ready.

Telephone: +61(0)2 9979 6289
Email: enquiries@superiorautosport.com.au

Or drop in to see Rodney or Andrew at:
79 Bassett Street
Mona Vale
Sydney, NSW 2103
Australia

Sanctuary Resort, the racer friendly accommodation between Queensland and New South Wales, is offering iRace drivers the lower of 20% off rack rate OR any seasonal specials that may apply. Click for details ,call Graeme on 02 6650 5111or email res@sanctuaryresort.net.au

So get your Round 1 race entry in and then put your feet up at a fantastic bush and sea resort.

Dean Thomas of Revolution Racegear has kindly offered iRace drivers a 10% discount on most items in their shop. So submit your iRace Round 1 entry and then race in to the Bell Tower Complex, Unit 3 / Rear of 191 Parramatta Road, Auburn NSW 2144, call on 02 9648 4044, or email sydney@racegear.com.au to secure your discount. Thanks Dean!

Entries are now open for Round 1 of the iRace Series at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) on 14th June 2014.

This year will see the introduction of “Formula Mono”, a development category for single seaters including Formula Fords, Formula Vees, Formula Juniors and other non wings and slicks single-seaters. These are the formulas that the Formula 1 greats cut their teeth on and are renowned for frenetic racing. It will provide a growth path to the established “Formula Tasman”, which captures the noise and glamour of the sixties and seventies when Australia hosted Grand Prix stars, who fought with the gallant local heroes. This year we confidently expect an influx of new cars and drivers including international entrants. So expect to be wowed by the might of F1, Indycars, F5000, F4000, F3000, F2, F3 and Formula Atlantic.

Sportscar racing will also see dramatic expansion, both with the purpose built track cars of the “LeMans Sports” category and an array of modern, exotic and historic road based machinery in the “Sportscar Cup”.

For those that love door-to-door racing, there will be a wide array of road going touring cars in the “Production Racing Cars” category, plus the awesome display of race modified machinery in the “Muscle Division”. Come and enjoy the best from Australia take on the European, American and Asian imports.

This year there will be more  for the family in the paddock, with “Show and Shine” demonstrations by specialist car clubs. Don’t be surprised to see people in period costume and watch out for air displays and jumping castles for the kids. We will be creating our own take on the Goodwood Festival, putting on a complete show to fascinate dedicated race fans and casual family and corporate visitors alike.

Stay tuned for the flow of announcements on the www.irace.net.au website and in the media.

Click to choose between online, mail/fax in or to have an entry form sent out to you. Entry fee is the standard $395, so show your support for the iRace Series by getting your entry in early, and you could be one of the ones to get the surprise rewards and prizes.

Matt Veal
iRace

In conjunction with Australian Racing Technologies and Marulan Driver Training Centre (MDTC), an Observed Licence Test day has been organised for Saturday 1 Feb 2014, at the MDTC facility.

A fun, social day for us all to get together early in the new year, show off our cars, and get everyone's iRace competition licenses sorted on one easy date so that you're all ready to race at the start of the 2014 season!!

More details are available here. Or contact Daniel Pirozzi for more information or to book your spot.

This is the perfect opportunity for newcomers to get sorted to compete with iRace in the 2014 season!

Not made by us, but certainly resonates with us! Video by Antti Kalhola, link passed to us by Dan Pirozzi. Enjoy!

iRace Round 5 - Production Racing Cars + RocketSports + Formula Tasman Highlights from Sam Dale on Vimeo.

iRace Round 5 - Muscle Division Touring Car Challenge Highlights from Sam Dale on Vimeo.

As it has for the past few years, the Independent Race Series will again host an end-of-season Christmas Party at Blue Hills Farm Retreat, Saturday 30th November with a dinner and presentation night at the relaxed venue in Hartley Vale.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Corey Gurney - 0427 417 048 - to register their interest.

We look forward to seeing you there!