Leitch set for home stage - but Short has the form Martin Short is the man with form It would be stating the obvious if one were to suggest the 2009/2010 ZOAGN New Zealand Formula Ford Championship was going to be a close run thing. The fact of the matter is that it has been a close run thing for over 35 years despite early races often indicating who could be standout performers. As the championship heads into the Southland region for Round 3 then north to Timaru for Round 4, the title chase is most definitely wide open. Of course the good news for Southland fans is that a true blue Southlander is leading the points chase and is favoured to be the dominant force at Teretonga Park. In fact, the young charger is also hoping Southland’s Ranfurly Shield magic rubs off on him as he has a replica of the shield painted on the side of his car!    Invercargill’s 16 year old Damon Leitch has a narrow lead of just two points over Hamilton’s Martin Short despite not having won a race outright. Leitch comes from a motor racing family and is fully aware that consistency wins championships and with that consistency will come the race wins. Further encouragement will also come from the knowledge that he won the Teretonga round overall last season which included an exceptional race win. Short though, is the man with form after a dominant performance in   the last round in his Mygale chassis. There is certain to be a few other hard charging drivers determined to steal the show and enhance their title prospects and two of them dominated the opening two rounds at Pukekohe and Ruapuna. Nick Cassidy (Auckland) won all three races in Round 1 but suffered a shocking time in Round 2 while Short endured a problematic Round 1 then dominated all three races in Round 2. Who says Formula Ford motor racing can be predictable? Also in the mix and making life difficult for the more fancied drivers is Rangiora up and coming star Matthew Penrose who sits in the top three despite sorting out his newly updated car. Penrose has led races this year and is bound to collect race wins as he has proven that spectacular overtaking is his trade mark and both Teretonga and Levels International Raceway will provide plenty of opportunities for that. Snapping at the heels of the leading bunch are more stars of the future including returning drivers Matt Williams (Christchurch) and Brett Sullivan (Nelson) together with Formula Ford debutants Andre Heimgartner (Auckland), Henry Thomas-Kircher, Scott Manson (both Christchurch) and Auckland brothers Tim and Richard Vickers. To date, all these youngsters have shown glimpses of real ability and are bound to become a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.