Mällinen Heading to Australia, Spectrum International Scholarship Winner

Liberty Lake, WA – Max Mällinen is Australia-bound, and will finish his break-out rookie ear by joining the Borland Racing Developments’ Spectrum Team for the final round of the Australian Formula Ford Series at Phillip Island later this month.

Fresh off his fastest lap at the SCCA Championship Runoffs, and a near victory, he will now head across the world to another highly competitive series: Australian Formula Ford. The series has produced successful Formula One stars such as Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, both were entrants early in their careers.

“I’m really excited to race not only in Australia, but at the famed Phillip Island Circuit. It will be great to compete against some of Australia’s best drivers on such a challenging circuit,” said Mällinen.

Mällinen is in the minority when it comes to American drivers venturing oversees and adding to their resumes.

The 16-year-old, 2014 SCCA U.S. Majors Tour National title winner, has also been named one of two Spectrum International Scholarship winners. The scholarship will help cover significant costs racing in Australia. The Australian Spectrum is the manufacturer of the car Mällinen drove in F1600 Series, SCCA Majors Tour and Runoffs this year.

“I’d like to thank Michael Borland and Borland Racing Developments for providing me the opportunity to further my career onto the international scale,” added Mällinen. “The Spectrum International Scholarship will assist me greatly in reaching my goal of racing outside the US. Few American drivers have this opportunity.”

Mällinen will see his first laps outside North America on the 2.762-mile, 12-turn, Phillip Island circuit, located in Phillip Island, Victoria, south of Melbourne. The track is subject of a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2006 and has since hosted V8 Supercars, MotoGP and Superbike races. The race Mällinen will be competing in is dubbed Island Magic, and is the feature race of the year run by the PIARC in Australia. Some 32 Formula F cars are expected.

Spectrum Owner Michael Borland said: “We are excited to give successful young Spectrum drivers around the world the opportunity to compete against each other and develop new skills.”

One big difference for Mällinen will be the power plant in the Spectrum chassis. While the U.S. uses a Honda engine, in Australia the rules are different, and Mällinen will rely on Ford power inside the cockpit of the Michael Borland-designed machine. Hoosier Racing rubber will also be replaced by Avon ACB-10 spec tires.

“I am looking forward to driving the Ford/Avon Spectrum,” Mällinen continued. “I’m excited for the extra power and slightly less grip and don’t think I’ll have any trouble adapting to it.”