CAMS Rising Star Scott Pye claimed his first national race win in round five of the Genuine Ford Parts Formula Ford Championship at Sandown International Raceway at the weekend, accepting the 40th Anniversary trophy from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport's own history-making Tim Schenken.

Paying tribute to 40 years of Australian Formula Ford competition, the 19 year-old from Mount Gambier, South Australia took out race two and three, and the round, in emphatic style.

"It's a great feeling to take my first national race win on the 40th anniversary of Australian Formula Ford," said Pye. "I'm really pleased with the weekend's result. The team gave me a car capable of winning and I'm just happy I could deliver a good result."

"Obviously Nic Percat is doing a really good job and I hope we can continue our form and catch him in the title chase."

Schenken, former Australian Formula One driver and CAMS Director Racing Operations, made history when he took out the first Formula Ford Championship, the 1968 Guards Championship in the UK.

"Formula Ford has clearly demonstrated that it is the starting point for drivers wishing to compete at the elite level of motor sport, both nationally and internationally," said Schenken. "Scott put in a spectacular performance over the weekend and is showing immense promise to realise his Formula One dream."

Pye had the perfect preparation for the weekend, with a hat-trick of wins at the Victorian State Round a fortnight ago at the same track. After qualifying in sixth position, race one saw Pye work his way into fifth in the greasy and tough conditions.

Beginning race two from fifth, Pye experienced his watershed moment, taking out the chequered flag in a thrilling finish. Leading into the last lap, Pye was challenged by Synergy Motorsport's Chaz Mostert who had worked his way through the field from the back of the grid. Mostert briefly held the lead on the final lap before Pye moved passed him and took out the race, announcing himself as a genuine threat to Nick Percat's Championship stranglehold.

Race three saw Pye in pole position and an opportunity to continue the winning theme. Despite building up a four-second lead from the field, Pye won the race under safety car conditions after the safety car was deployed two laps from the chequered flag.

Pye now sits clear in second position in the race for the 2009 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship. With three rounds remaining, Pye is only 63 points behind championship leader Nick Percat, and motivated as ever to close the gap further.

"After such a successful weekend at Sandown, we are hoping to carry the momentum and close the gap on Percat. I am thrilled with the weekend's results which have given me the confidence and the belief to have a successful finish to the season," Pye said.