Ethan Fitzgerald’s Winton flight

Ethan Fitzgerald’s flight in Saturday’s Feature Race wasn’t on the broadcast, but was spectacularly captured on camera as can be viewed here at the opening round of the Formula Ford Stars & Renegades at Winton.

The spectacular incident was caught by category photography Matt Christie at Turn 7 after Fitzgerald contacted the rear wheel of Brad James sending the green Spectrum high into the air.

Amazingly, there was no damage to either Spectrum although James was forced to pit due to a mechanical malady and Fitzgerald finished in 10th.

“I was wishing I didn’t do any damage to Brad’s car, which hopefully I didn’t,” Fitzgerald explained. “Some of the photos from the incident are pretty good and all four wheels are in the air!

“I didn’t do any damage, which is a crazy thing to happen.”

James didn’t know the extent of the incident until he viewed the photos as well, but he went scored a best of sixth in second Feature Race on Sunday.

For Fitzgerald, he continued to improve throughout the weekend in what was his maiden appearance at the rural Victorian circuit.

“It was my first time racing at Winton, which was a bit of a challenge,” Fitzgerald explained.

“It’s a very technical track, which I found out very quickly.

“The last race was good. We made up a few spots, kept it clean and got faster every session.

“It’s very good and we had a dice with some of the other drivers at the end and there were no dodgy, dirty moves, which made for great racing, and this is why we do it.”

It’s a family affair for Fitzgerald with his father playing an integral role in getting on-track.

“Dad and I alongside a couple of guys back in Adelaide help us out to get us to each round,” said Fitzgerald.

“It’s very family based and small, so we do everything ourselves to keep it cheap.”

Sydney Motorsport Park is up next for the Formula Ford Stars & Renegades field, which again presents a challenge for Fitzgerald.

“I’m very excited for Sydney, which is another new circuit believe it or not,” he laughed.

“Sydney is one circuit I have worked at, but never raced and it will be good to compete under lights, so I’m very excited.”

The next round for the Formula Ford Stars & Renegades Series is Sydney Motorsport Park on May 30-June 1.