Blanchard to make Formula Ford return at Winton

Tim Blanchard will make his Formula Ford return at next weekend's Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint.

Blanchard will take to the wheel of a Sonic Motor Racing Services-prepared Mygale.

The Supercars team owner won the 2007 Formula Ford title for Sonic.

The 34-year-old will compete in a one-off race meeting in the national series, which will Supercars next weekend..

Blanchard will reunite with Sonic in the same Jaylec livery he drove in his title-winning campaign.

It comes after he partnered with Tim Slade in his family-owned CoolDrive Mustang in last year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.   

Blanchard will return to Bathurst alongside Slade in October.

He explained his Formula Ford starts will help him remain match fit ahead of the Great Race.

"I’m really looking forward to getting back to Formula Ford at Winton," he said.

"It’s a category that I’ve always loved, and I have a real soft spot for.

"I’ve been doing historic Formula Ford racing for the last few years and I really enjoy driving the cars.

"I was keen to try a new challenge and pit myself against all of the young stars coming through. 

"The hidden agenda is that I would really like to do Walter Hayes Festival at Silverstone at some point.

"I wanted to see how I go against the current level of drivers and see if I’m wasting my time or not!

"I also want to keep race miles up ahead of the Bathurst 1000, and with this Winton Formula Ford round on the Supercars bill, it’s a good chance to do it.

"I’m already going to be there, so I thought this was a handy opportunity.

Blanchard will reunite with Sonic at Winton

"There is a real nostalgic element with Mick and Maria from Sonic too. Tim Slade prepared my Formula Ford back in 2007 with Sonic, so on the Friday, he is going to come over and give the team a hand – it’s a full reunion. 

"Also, from a BRT point of view, you always need to keep an eye on the future, and what better way to assess the future stars than to get in the car and race against them and see what they’ve got.

"In terms of expectations, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I feel like I should be up the front. I’m pretty experienced in racing, so I should be competitive.

"On the flip side I haven’t raced a Duratec-powered Formula Ford in 15 years, and these guys are racing them all the time, so I’m not really sure where I’ll land."

The former karting champion finished second in the 2008 British Formula Ford Championship before returning to Australia.

He finished second in the 2010 Dunlop Super2 Series and spent five full-time seasons in Supercars between 2013 and 2017.

Blanchard's full-time seasons came with Dick Johnson Racing, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport and Brad Jones Racing.

Sonic team owner Michael Ritter said his team is equally as excited to welcome Blanchard back to the Sonic family.

Blanchard Racing Team joined the Supercars grid in 2021

"It’s great to have Tim back with us in Formula Ford, rekindling some of the past glory that we had together," Ritter said.

"Tim and his family have been fantastic supporters of Formula Ford over the years.

"We are pleased to have been part of that history with them, winning the title with Tim in 2007 and now entering his brother Harry in state-level competition.

"Tim tested last week, and he was quickly near the pace, and I’m sure he will only get faster as the Winton race weekend goes on.

"One of the best things about having Tim back in our team will be to see how he can help develop our regular drivers Valantino and Winston.

"Both of them are exciting young talents but having an experienced guy like Tim in our camp will only help them, both on and off the track."

Supercars will hit the track at the Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint on 21 May. Purchase your tickets now.

Porsche Carrera Cup, Formula Ford, Aussie Racing Cars, National Sports Sedans and V8 SuperUtes are on the support card.