Formula Ford
The History of Formula Ford Racing
Formula Ford began in 1967 when Geoffrey Clark at the British racing school Motor Racing Stables became frustrated with the use of expensive Formula 3 engines in the training of students. The student's inexperience often lead to engine damage. Geoffrey Clark decided it would be better to use a more commonly available engine on an inexpensive F3 chassis. The result was a relatively cost effective racer which allowed students the chance to cut their teeth without destroying valuable equipment.
The early history of Formula Ford was centered in Great Britain. The first race took place at the Brands Hatch circuit in on July 2nd 1967 with a grid of 17 cars, most of which were associated with either the Motor Racing Stables or Jim Russell racing schools. The winner of the race was Ray Allen, who was followed by Malcolm Payne and Claude Bourgignie. The cars in these early Formula Ford racers were extremely basic. They made heavy use of parts from the Cortina GT including the 1600cc Kent engine, the gearbox and the rims.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s Formula Ford went international. While Great Britain continued to be the epicenter new Formula Ford races sprung up across the globe. The first Australian Formula Ford race took place in 1969 at the Sandown Raceway. In 1972 the first Formula Ford race took place in New Zealand. Formula Ford continued to gain popularity throughout the late 1970s, eventually resulting in a spin-off called Formula Ford 2000. This series uses 2 liter engines and allows for use of wings and racing slicks, but never became as popular as the original Formula Ford. Today there are Formula Ford cars racing in not only Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand but also South Africa, Canada and numerous countries in Asia.
Formula Ford used the same basic 1600cc engine until 1994, when Ford introduced a more modern 1800cc Zetec engine. This created a new class of Formula Ford cars using the larger engine. The Zetec was more powerful, but was criticized because the larger engine's weight degraded the nimble handling Formula Ford cars were known for. The Zetec fell out of use when Ford introduced a new 1600cc Duratec engine in 2006. The new engine is lighter than the Zetec, which addressed the handling concerns, but also provides more power. While the new Duratec engine is used in the National Series there is still an amateur club-racing series which uses the original 1600cc Kent engine.
Some of the restrictions which originally governed Formula Ford no longer exist. As mentioned, the original cars used the gearbox and the rims from the Cortina GT. There were also restrictions on the cost of the rolling chassis which could be used and for many years racing slicks were not allowed. In the mid-1990s many of these restrictions were eased in order to bring in new attention from younger drivers. Slicks are now allowed, there is no longer a cost restriction on the chassis and the gearboxes and suspensions are now specifically made for racing.
Despite these changes, Formula Ford cars remain unique in many ways. Unlike virtually all other racing cars, Formula Ford cars do not have a wing. This means that the cars are limited to mechanical grip and are not able to corner as the speeds which some other racing cars can obtain. However, this reliance on mechanical grip means that no car is disadvantaged because of aerodynamics and encourages very close racing. The cars also remain extremely light, with the typical weight being around one thousand pounds. This means that the small 1600cc engines can propel a Formula Ford car to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds and up to top speeds of around 150 miles per hour.
Despite its age, the small engines, and the relative lack of technology, Formula Ford is among the most popular and relevant racing series today both in Britain and around the globe. The close racing encouraged by the series has given many Formula Ford drivers the skills required to compete in Formula 1 cars. According to Ford, half of the current Formula 1 grid has graduated through Formula Ford. The British Formula Ford series continues to meet annually at its place of origin, Brands Hatch, for the Formula Ford Festival. The Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain remains strong and the 2010 season is now underway.
Formula Ford began in 1967 when Geoffrey Clark at the British racing school Motor Racing Stables became frustrated with the use of expensive Formula 3 engines in the training of students. The student's inexperience often lead to engine damage. Geoffrey Clark decided it would be better to use a more commonly available engine on an inexpensive F3 chassis. The result was a relatively cost effective racer which allowed students the chance to cut their teeth without destroying valuable equipment.
The early history of Formula Ford was centered in Great Britain. The first race took place at the Brands Hatch circuit in on July 2nd 1967 with a grid of 17 cars, most of which were associated with either the Motor Racing Stables or Jim Russell racing schools. The winner of the race was Ray Allen, who was followed by Malcolm Payne and Claude Bourgignie. The cars in these early Formula Ford racers were extremely basic. They made heavy use of parts from the Cortina GT including the 1600cc Kent engine, the gearbox and the rims.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s Formula Ford went international. While Great Britain continued to be the epicenter new Formula Ford races sprung up across the globe. The first Australian Formula Ford race took place in 1969 at the Sandown Raceway. In 1972 the first Formula Ford race took place in New Zealand. Formula Ford continued to gain popularity throughout the late 1970s, eventually resulting in a spin-off called Formula Ford 2000. This series uses 2 liter engines and allows for use of wings and racing slicks, but never became as popular as the original Formula Ford. Today there are Formula Ford cars racing in not only Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand but also South Africa, Canada and numerous countries in Asia.
Formula Ford used the same basic 1600cc engine until 1994, when Ford introduced a more modern 1800cc Zetec engine. This created a new class of Formula Ford cars using the larger engine. The Zetec was more powerful, but was criticized because the larger engine's weight degraded the nimble handling Formula Ford cars were known for. The Zetec fell out of use when Ford introduced a new 1600cc Duratec engine in 2006. The new engine is lighter than the Zetec, which addressed the handling concerns, but also provides more power. While the new Duratec engine is used in the National Series there is still an amateur club-racing series which uses the original 1600cc Kent engine.
Some of the restrictions which originally governed Formula Ford no longer exist. As mentioned, the original cars used the gearbox and the rims from the Cortina GT. There were also restrictions on the cost of the rolling chassis which could be used and for many years racing slicks were not allowed. In the mid-1990s many of these restrictions were eased in order to bring in new attention from younger drivers. Slicks are now allowed, there is no longer a cost restriction on the chassis and the gearboxes and suspensions are now specifically made for racing.
Despite these changes, Formula Ford cars remain unique in many ways. Unlike virtually all other racing cars, Formula Ford cars do not have a wing. This means that the cars are limited to mechanical grip and are not able to corner as the speeds which some other racing cars can obtain. However, this reliance on mechanical grip means that no car is disadvantaged because of aerodynamics and encourages very close racing. The cars also remain extremely light, with the typical weight being around one thousand pounds. This means that the small 1600cc engines can propel a Formula Ford car to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds and up to top speeds of around 150 miles per hour.
Despite its age, the small engines, and the relative lack of technology, Formula Ford is among the most popular and relevant racing series today both in Britain and around the globe. The close racing encouraged by the series has given many Formula Ford drivers the skills required to compete in Formula 1 cars. According to Ford, half of the current Formula 1 grid has graduated through Formula Ford. The British Formula Ford series continues to meet annually at its place of origin, Brands Hatch, for the Formula Ford Festival. The Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain remains strong and the 2010 season is now underway.
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