Freddie Slater wins in wet FR Oceania race one at Teretonga
British driver Freddie Slater took his first victory of the FR Oceania series, the sixth driver to take the top step out of nine races so far.
INVERCARGILL, New Zealand–Freddie Slater took his first win in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy as the rain fell around Teretonga Park.
The Briton started on the front row alongside polesitter Ernesto Rivera, after rain and grid penalties mixed up the starting order, and pounced on the lead when the pair made contact and the Red Bull junior spun off at turn one.
Slater was dominant through another safety car restart late in the race and cruised to victory when the Toyota GR Supra emerged for the third time to bring the race to an end under yellow flags.
"That was probably as much fun as I have had so far," said Slater.
"It’s always challenging in the wet and you are flirting with the limits all the time but it was good fun out there finding the rhythm."
Jin Nakamura and Kalle Rovanperä held on throughout to complete the podium but were unable to challenge Slater, instead having to hold off fellow Hitech TGR driver Kanato Le and his visions of a podium finish.
Two-time World Rally Champion Rovanperä did pressure his teammate for second in the 10 laps of clear running between safety cars, but was unable to find a way past in his new open-wheel machinery and settled for third.
Jack Taylor, the only Australian running this round as James Wharton sits out, nipped at the heels of the lead pack and came home in fifth position.
American Ugo Ugochukwu holds the lead of the series after a dominant run in the opening two rounds that included the Dorothy Smith Memorial Cup. On 210 points, he is followed by the Japanese duo Kanato Le on 185 and Jin Nakamura on 184 points, with neither driver to claim a race victory despite consistent a handful of podiums for each in the nine races so far.
Slater is fourth on 179 points, with the Kiwi duo of Ryan Wood and Louis Sharp rounding out the contenders with a tie on 168 points.
