The Australian Formula Ford Championship heads to Symmons Plains in Tasmania for the final round of the 2011 season next weekend, and while the championship has already been wrapped up, there is still plenty to fight for.

Sonic Motor Racing Services driver Cameron Waters became the youngest ever Australian Formula Ford champion when he secured the title in the final race on the Gold Coast last time out. But even with the title safely in the bag, Waters is adamant he will be pushing hard next weekend to finish his Formula Ford career on a high.

"It was an unbelievable weekend on the Gold Coast, I knew I didn''t need to do too much to wrap up the title and I actually made it more difficult that it should have been. When I finally got the points I needed in the final race it was a massive relief after a tough season," Waters said.

"It''s really starting to sink in now and I''m starting to realise the significance of being an Australian Formula Ford champion. So many great drivers have won it in the past and gone on to great things and I obviously want to try and do the same.

"In Tasmania I''m just focused on winning races and the round to try and end the year on another positive, I enjoy the circuit and I was fast there last year, so I''m confident I can get a good result in my last Formula Ford round."

Behind Waters the battle for second and third in the championship has hotted up in recent rounds, with three drivers now vying for the remaining podium spots. CAMS Rising Star Jack Le Brocq currently leads the charge in second thanks to victory on the streets of Surfers Paradise, but both Nick Foster and Tom Williamson are still in the mix.

"Winning on the Gold Coast was really a boost in the championship for me, we went into the weekend hoping to grab the second spot, but I certainly didn''t expect to have such a gap heading into the final round," Le Brocq said.

"I feel like I can have another good round in Tasmania and finish second in the championship now, Cam has had an amazing year so congratulations to him on winning the championship, but it will still mean a lot if I can finish second. I think Symmons Plains should suit me so I''m looking forward to trying to get my third round win of the year."

Only one local driver will compete in the round, with State CAMS Rising Star Callum Mitchell back for another run in the national series. The Tasmanian has been competing in the Victorian state series this year, but will line up for his home round.

In total 14 cars will make the trip across Bass Straight for the final round of the championship with the drivers taking to the track for the first time on Friday morning ahead of races on Saturday and Sunday.

Find the Australian Formula Ford Championship on twitter @ffordaustralia to keep up to date with Australia''s premier junior development category.

WEEKEND PREVIEW:
Round 8 2011 Australian Formula Ford Championship
Symmons Plains Circuit, TAS
Friday November 11 Sunday November 13

TRACK GUIDE: SYMMONS PLAINS CIRCUIT:
Track length: 2.4 km
Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Top speed: 250 km/h

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: AEDT
Friday November 11
09:20-09:40am - practice 1 (20 minutes)
01:40-02:00pm practice 2 (20 minutes)

Saturday November 12
12:05-12:25pm - qualifying (20 minutes)
02:40-03:00pm - race 1

Sunday November 13
10:35-10:55am - race 2
02:00-02:20pm - race 3

2011 AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP (after seven rounds)
1. Cameron Waters, Mygale SJ011a, 295
2. Jack LeBrocq, Mygale SJ011a, 231
3. Nick Foster, Mygale SJ011a, 194
4. Tom Williamson, Mygale SJ011a, 185
5. Trent Harrison, Mygale SJ011a, 137
6. Garry Jacobson, Mygale SJ08a, 137
7. Liam Sager, Spectrum 012, 112
8. Matthew Brabham, Mygale SJ10a, 95
9. Shae Davies, Spectrum 011c, 67
10. Jesse Fenech, Mygale SJ10a, 64

Formula Ford is the world''s premier junior development motorsport category and has been a prominent fixture within Australia since 1969. Ford has been a proud partner of Formula Ford in Australia since the beginning and will support the category again in 2011 as it continues to grow. The relative parity between local and international makes produces some of the closest and most exciting racing seen on any circuit around Australia.