Formula Ford Motorsport

When Formula Ford was conceived in 1966 as an affordable form of single seater racing, its co-creators John Webb, Geoff Clarke and Jim Russell could hardly have envisaged a championship that would still be going strong some forty years later. To keep costs down, cars in the original championship ran on normal road tyres, used standard road gearboxes and chassis built down to a price. Like most forms of motorsport, running costs for the top teams have spiralled upwards over the years, so championship regulations have evolved with finances in mind, including the removal of the official testing programme for 2008. Formula Ford still provides close racing with season long running costs around half that of rival series, and has been the developing ground for the careers of several famous drivers. Both David Coulthard and Jenson Button were British Formula Ford champions, and because of the important race set up skills that drivers must learn to become successful in Formula Ford, many use the experience as a stepping stone to other forms of motorsport.
 
Crucially, the car itself is a platform that gives young drivers a better grasp of how to set up and drive a single seater. As regulations do not allow for aerodynamic downforce in FF1600, handling owes entirely to mechanical grip, requiring the development of mechanical understanding. Moreover, drivers must be able to relate handling characteristics and make suggestions for technical modifications to their teams – skills that will become crucial should they progress to more senior formulae. Limiting aerodynamics also has an added benefit of keeping Formula Ford racing close and exciting, as it gives plenty of scope for drivers to overtake under braking. With top speeds of around 150 mph, Formula Ford is a great formula for drivers to develop their racecraft.

In recent years the most successful Formula Ford chassis have been those manufactured by Van Diemen, Mygale and Spectrum. For the lively Historic FF championship (still favoured by many club racers), designs by Lotus, Reynard, Lola and Swift have ruled the roost. The enduring success of the formula owes in part to the rules allowing for chassis designs from various manufacturers, and no single manufacturer has dominated for too long. In contrast to other entry-level single make series this aspect of Formula Ford has certainly driven technical standards forward. However, with costs in mind, regulations have stipulated that chassis must be a relatively simple steel spaceframe design rather the more expensive monocoque constructions favoured in other single seater racing car series.

Various engines have been used over the years, with much of the formula’s history dominated by the 1600cc Ford Kent engine. Following the development and use of Ford’s larger capacity but heavier 1800 Zetec engine in the mid 90s, new cars since 2006 have been powered by Ford’s 16 valve Duratec engine, which once again returns the formula to a 1600cc standard. Similarly to chassis designers, the freedom allowed to Formula Ford engine builders has benefited the technical standards of both teams and drivers, and has given the series real longevity.

For 2008 the British Championship will be run over 25 rounds at 10 circuits across the UK, forming a support race to each round of the national Formula 3 Championship. This is a great way for aspiring FF1600 drivers to be spotted by established F3 teams – an ideal progression in any driver’s career. Once again in 2008, Formula Ford will also provide a support race at the British round of A1GP.

Not sure what you need? Email or phone Mark Bates on 01455 842 884 for friendly help and expert guidance from an experienced FF1600 mechanic and driver.