Tom Sargent has rounded out the Formula Ford phase of his burgeoning motorsport career in style, taking pole position and a trio of race wins in the final round of the national championship at Phillip Island over the weekend.
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Sargent has officially been crowned the 51st Australian Formula Ford Champion, joining an illustrious club that includes decorated names such as Perkins, Lowndes, Richards, Whincup, Mostert and De Pasquale.
He finished his tenure in the class with 11 race wins, placing him ninth on the all-time winner list.
Sargent had established an insurmountable points lead prior to Phillip Island, but the determined 20-year-old from the NSW regional town of Young was still determined to exit the junior development category at the top of his game.
"I really wanted to go out on a high note and it ended up being a dream weekend - I led every lap of every race," Sargent said.
"After the last race had finished and I was on the cool-down lap, it started to sink in that it would probably be the last time I would ever drive my Formula Ford, so I got a bit emotional - it's sad to be leaving a category that has done so much for me over the last few years."
Sargent paid credit to his CHE Racing team-mate Noah Sands, who finished second in the championship.
"To win the championship was exciting enough, but for Noah to finish second and make it a 1-2 for the CHE Racing Team is very special," Sargent said.
"Considering it was Noah's rookie season, his performances were outstanding. We were bringing out the best in each other on the track and lifting the team to new heights."Sargent was keen to acknowledge those who contributed to his championship success.
"My time in Formula Ford has been awesome, and there are lot of people I need to thank for making it such an amazing experience," he said.
"My family and sponsors provide a lot of support behind the scenes to keep me on the track and the Formula Ford Association continue to run the best junior development category in Australia - with the level of competition, you can see why so many motorsport stars have come from Formula Ford over the years.
"The quality of competitors in Formula Ford is very high, so it's a massive credit to Cameron, Colin and the rest of the CHE Racing Team that we were able to win all four rounds of the championship this year. I can't wait to continue my relationship with CHE when I progress to the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge next year."
