Clipping barrier not in winning formula for Goddard
ZANE Goddard’s return to racing on home turf was brought undone by a crash in qualifying.
The Gold Coaster has spent most of this year in England competing in British Formula Four and his wildcard appearance in the Australian series looked in good shape when he posted the second quickest time in practice.
That pace again was evident in qualifying until he clipped the concrete barrier at the first chicane.
Goddard missed the rest of the session and his team were unable to fully repair damage to his suspension by race start.
“I had zero straight line speed,” he said.
“Through the corners we were quick, I think we set some all right laps at the start but it felt like it kept getting worse and worse.”
The issues condemned him to seventh but Goddard took responsibility for the difficult afternoon. “If the problem didn’t happen in qualifying it wouldn’t have happened but that was just the way it went today,” he said.
Series leader William Brown took victory in the 18lap race.
Brown opened up a healthy margin before a safety car period forced him to hold off Harry Hayek in the closing laps.
Hayek, who stole the lead on lap one but was required to redress the position due to cutting a chicane, praised his rival.
“Will has definitely got his eyes on the prize in the championship,” Hayek said.