A two-time NSW HQ Holden champion, McFarland was competing in the NSW Excel Racing Championship Series for the first time, having made the move up from the NSW Excel Racing Development Series which Ridings competes in.

For the 2014 season there was a major change to the Excel Series, as it has been split into two divisions. 

The first division is for drivers choosing to use the newer, more expensive Kumho Tyres that are a semi slick, while the remainder are in the Development Series which must use the federal tyres. 

They are virtually a street tyre and therefore slower than the Kumho.

McFarland, after snapping at the heels of others in the top division, took a great win in the trophy race, and finished second outright behind series leader Nathan Gotch in the AGI Sport entry.

In his first season circuit racing after several years in speedway, Ridings has been looking like a winner since his first outing, and Sunday saw him come very close as he finished second in the Development Series.

McFarland, who qualified third, and finished 32nd, fourth and first in the three races, was excited with his best finish yet since joining the series last year.

“That last race was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had. I came from fourth in really slippery conditions, and best part was side-by-side racing with Nathan [Gotch] in the wet without even a touch. And I won, but the wet weather helped,” McFarland said.

After being used as a battering ram by some competitors in recent rounds, the once immaculate RPH Motorsport Excel belonging to Ridings came through the weekend without any further damage. 

In the three races he finished seventh, second and fourth after qualifying seventh.

“We got through the whole meeting without any damage, which is great,” he said. 

“A highlight had to be leading the Development Series car in one race, and I should have won it but for a mix-up on the final corner. I was a bit concerned about the wet. I think I like it now, as I seemed to go well in it.”