Young guns Jon Collins and Callum Mitchell have been accepted to drive in the inaugural season of the AMSF Rookie Rising Stars program, the Australian Motor Sport Foundation’s latest initiative to support and develop racers across Australia.
With new sponsor Go Markets on board, their season commenced this weekend at the opening round of the 2011 Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship at one of the nation’s most challenging circuits, Phillip Island.
Both Rookie Rising Stars had never before taken to the island circuit, so were keen to gain maximum track time and make a positive impression in their debut event. With limited practice sessions on the Friday, 19 year old Jon and 17 year old Callum would have their first real experiences in a flying 20 minute qualifying session.
Both Collins and Mitchell drive their Mygale SJ11’s astonishingly quickly, taking a mere three laps to set impressive times. Whilst learning the challenges of the vehicles and the unforgiving island circuit, Mitchell experienced his first near miss, a slide through the fast turn twelve, but a quick recovery soon set him back on his way to secure seventh in his first qualifying attempt.
Collins too had initial pace, setting his best time on the third pass, before a wide run through turn one lost time and introduced the second of the Go Markets Rookie Rising Stars to the tests that lay ahead.
Impressive debuts from both AMSF Rookie Risings Stars saw Collins and Mitchell some eight tenths and 1.3 seconds respectively off the pole time, with the lead three drivers all boasting experience in both state and national events at the southern circuit.
Race one had Collins with a great start, moving to third before a small mistake led to a battle with Fouracre which brought out the true racer in Collins, who went on to set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:39.7883 and come home in fourth. Mitchell launched up to fifth, before getting caught out by oil at turn twelve and losing positions. Building pace once again and pushing hard through the field, he made a final move on Fouracre to secure a sixth finish in his first race.
Jon Collins:
“Today felt really good. I definitely outdid my own expectations so it’s a good way to start the weekend.
“When the team told me I had the fastest lap I was a bit stunned. I’m over the moon to be able to achieve that down here in my first race so I’m rapt with how it’s all going.”
Callum Mitchell:
“Got a ripper of a start which surprised me, then worked my way to fifth. Got into the oil at turn twelve a bit too hot and lost two positions but I got Fouracre on the last lap to be back up to sixth which was good.
“I’ve only done two test days and Friday practice in this car so we had a surprisingly good day, great to come away with that result.”
Race two had the Rookie Rising Stars both finish in the top ten again. After a good start, Collins was pushed wide into turn four, left on the ripple strip under brakes and dropped to 12th before charging on, overcoming the challenge from team mate Mitchell, to strive back through the field and finish sixth.
Mitchell had started sixth, but missed a gear leaving himself open to team mate Collins and dropping through the field, soon regaining his momentum to hold off McRae for most of the race, before finally submitting under brakes on the final lap to cross the line closing out the top ten.
Jon Collins:
“Turn four I got pushed wide and ended up on the ripple strip under brakes, ran wide and that dropped me to the back in the second race, then found myself on the back of Callum.
“He had decent speed and was driving really well, but ran wide at turn one and so I slipped through on the inside.”
Callum Mitchell:
“I got caught out and the car wasn’t exactly right so with me not driving my best, I missed a gear into turn two which cost me the spot to Jon (Collins) and that left me vulnerable to others.
“To be honest it was the car and me not driving my best today, but we’ll get it back together for race three.”
The final race of the weekend and both AMSF Rookie Rising Stars were still challenging in the top ten. Avoiding the early carnage, Collins and Mitchell settled in through the safety car period before using their pace to claw up the positions. Collins’ race was cut short while fighting for a podium finish, when he lifted and went wide, losing the rear and ending the weekend stranded on the infield, unable to restart the car. Mitchell continued his steady run, and showing his commitment and developing race craft took three positions on the final lap to secure an impressive fourth position for the young racer.
Jon Collins:
“I was pretty disappointed with the last race.
“On the last lap coming down the straight I had a tow off the cars in front, who were having their own dice into turn one, and I was sitting back on the outside. I lifted to avoid another competitor who was moving over, but the back stepped out and put me spinning into the infield. I just couldn’t get the car restarted even though there was no damage at all.
“It was still a great weekend overall. I’m really happy with how it all went, the car felt great and the pace was definitely there. Hopefully through the coming races we can claw back some more points. It’s definitely been a great learning experience.”
Callum Mitchell:
“It was an interesting last race, kind of a battle to keep out of the carnage and I had some pretty scary moments there.
“I had a great start and knew I had some pace again so kept it clean near the more experienced guys, then made the opportunity to pass two guys on the last lap so happy with that.
“We’ve obviously got some pace so I’m pretty happy with things considering it’s been my first ever race meeting. The feeling in the team’s good so I’ll be looking forward to the next time out.”
Bruin Beazley, Team Manager:
“The boys have done exceptional jobs considering it’s been Callum’s first ever race meeting and he’s only spent two days in a Formula Ford before he got here. To finish fourth is exceptional and he didn’t do anything wrong all weekend so a really good job.
“Jon’s clearly got some pace, he just needs to find his feet through the additional experience. He did a great job as we could’ve been third and fourth in that last race. If you take the experienced national guys out, then our boys are really close.
“Everything clocked away this weekend, no damage, just really some rockchips and dirt and that’s about it so it makes it a bit easier and positive going forward.”
At the close of the debut race meeting for the AMSF Rookie Rising Stars, the team has proven the potential of these young guns, with great times, positive results, and learning experiences, and sees Mitchell head to round two at fifth in the championship, with Collins not far behind in tenth.
2011 Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship standings
1 Brabham 100
2 Lloyd 84
3 Venter 84
4 Power 72
5 Mitchell 71
6 Fouracre 68
7 Howell 51
8 McRae 50
9 Barbour 36
10 Collins 32
