30/07/2026
π NSW Formula Ford State Champions. 2026.
When Eli Patten .patto first walked through our doors, he had never driven a manual gearbox.
This weekend, he won the NSW Formula Ford State Championship and set the Shelley Circuit, lap record in the final race, after the title was already won. That detail tells you everything you need to know about him.
The car has its own story. Former Anglo champion Rob Storey .storey16 holds the lap record at Sydney Motorsport Park Motorsport Park in this very chassis. Eli now holds it at One Raceway. Two champions. Two decades. One car.
To Nathan, Kate, Troy, Koa, and the entire Patten family β the early starts, the late nights, the travel, this is your achievement as much as it is Eli's.
When Eli first came to us, the raw ability was obvious but so was the work ahead. He approached every session, every debrief, and every test day with the same focus and willingness to be coached. That is what makes the difference. Not just talent, but the ability to take feedback, apply it, and come back the next day ready to go again.
Rob Storey has been an invaluable part of this campaign, a former champion in Eli's corner, in the very car he raced. To Will Liston, the John Smith Trophy battle between you and Eli was a genuine highlight of the season. Competing hard on track while supporting his development off it is a credit to you.
NSW Formula Ford's decision to award Eli the 'John Smith Trophy' recognising the best combined performer across Formula Ford 1600 and Historic classes, is a fitting acknowledgement of a season that went right to the wire.
We are proud of what this team has built. We are excited about what comes next.
Congratulations, Eli from the entire Anglo Team. π