AUSTRALIAN Formula Ford Series leader James Piszcyk has dropped a bombshell, skipping the title decider this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Having built an 11-point advantage, Piszcyk was the favourite to join an impressive list of national Formula Ford champions that includes Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander, Will Davison, Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert.
However, he almost certainly will cede that title – plus the attached prize of a Dick Johnson Racing Supercar test – in favour of a British Formula 4 test with Hitech GP.
Hitech GP is the organisation which has powered Marcus Armstrong and Juri Vips to Formula 2 race wins this year.
Nevertheless, the decision has clearly left a sour taste with his CHE Racing team, which is owned by Triple Eight Super2 driver Cameron Hill.
“It is really disappointing that we confirm that James will not compete in the final round of the Australian Formula Ford Series at Sydney Motorsport Park,” said Hill, who won the 2015 crown.
“James and our team have worked very hard to get into this position, and to learn that our leading driver would not contest the last round is crushing.
“It has been a really tough, competitive year against great competition.
“Our whole team has felt that we have earned the right to fight for the title in the last round, and to not complete the year, as we had all intended, is a huge shame.
“Myself and the whole CHE Racing Team wish James the absolute best with his future endeavours. I really want to see him succeed in the future, and I hope the direction he has elected to take serves him well.”
Valentino Astuti is now the effective series leader.
