Tim Blanchard has taken out second place in the British Formula Ford Championship after the final round at Donington Park at the weekend, backing up his Championship victory in Australian Formula Ford ranks last year with a successful first stint overseas.

In an impressive first year of motor racing in Europe, Blanchard notched up race wins, pole positions and fastest laps on his way to second place in the Championship, all on tracks that were completely foreign to the young Victorian at the start of the year.

“When I sit back and look at it, to come second in the Championship is a great achievement and I am very proud that making the move over here as paid off,” said Blanchard.

“If you had of told me I was going to come second at the start of the year I would have taken it, but the important thing to me is that I have gained some invaluable experience over here and it has developed my knowledge and skills a great deal.”

Heading into the final round of the Championship Blanchard was still a mathematical chance of snatching the lead from Jamun Racing team mate Wayne Boyd, however his hopes were dashed in the opening race at Donington in yet another racing incident with another of his team mates, Victor Correa.

“Victor and I have come together a few times this year, and it was very disappointing the way it panned out in the first race of the final round but I was able to salvage something from the weekend.”

Blanchard was back on the podium where he belongs with a third placing in race two, and was sixth in the final race of the season to take comfortably take second place in the Championship more than 100 points from Chris Maliepaard in third place, and 50 points behind winner Boyd.

Backed by Jaylec and the Australian Motorsport Foundation (AMSF), Blanchard is the highest placed Australian in the British Championship since V8 Supercar star James Courtney won the title in 2000 and is hoping to make the switch to British F3 in 2009.

“I was lucky enough to be able to test with Fortec earlier this year and that was an awesome experience,” said Blanchard.

“I’ve had great support from the AMSF this year and my main sponsor back home in Jaylec as well as a number of other sponsors which has been great.

“With a bit of luck they will be back on board for next year and I will be able to continue racing open wheelers overseas,” said Blanchard.

Blanchard will have his final outing in Formula Ford this weekend at the Formula Ford Festival to be held at Brands Hatch.

Final championship points
1 Boyd 634 points; 2 Blanchard 584; 3 Maliepaard 463