kim jones and formula ford

jimmycourier · 19 Jul 2004, 02:50 (Ref:1040014)

from a press release just on v8supecars.com. Kim Jones is jumping into a formula ford on the weekend and racing for Wodonga Tafe. Good work Kim, best of luck to the team!

Also a Believer · 19 Jul 2004, 03:15 (Ref:1040020)

must be the wide bodied variety.

have a go Kim

marcus · 19 Jul 2004, 07:10 (Ref:1040065)

Bit of background on this for you.

Wodonga Tafe run a motorsports class for people who want to be engineers , BJR were (and obviously still are) involved in the venture and promising students often went along to v8 meetings with BJR and helped out gaining experience along the way.

The Tafe then purchased a Formula Ford and ran it pretty well with a young guy whom I cant remember his name now , but he was a member of my kart club.
now Kim is getting behind the wheel to have a run , will be interesting to see how he goes

rdmdog · 19 Jul 2004, 08:48 (Ref:1040122)

Where is he racing at? He is not a small fella, maybe there is a future in FF for me!

marcus · 19 Jul 2004, 09:11 (Ref:1040143)

I would say Winton , thats where the Formula Ford's are this weekend and its close to home base for the team and Kim.

rdmdog · 19 Jul 2004, 09:30 (Ref:1040163)

I think they are at Oran too. And I would have thought he would be a little busy this weekend though?

I guess not?

I will never forget Kimmy hip deep in a drain at Bathurst on Wednesday a few years ago trying to unblock it and get the H2O out of his garage!

PVDA · 19 Jul 2004, 10:35 (Ref:1040203)

Is this fair dinkum as I cannot find any reference to it on either the V8 or BJR websites....................

**GTRMagic** · 19 Jul 2004, 10:37 (Ref:1040204)

From Racetime....

Formula Ford
Jul 19 2004
KIM JONES BACK IN THE HOT SEAT

2004 Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship Round Five Winton Raceway, Benalla VIC.
23 - 25 July, 2004.

KIM JONES BACK IN THE HOT SEAT

Ozemail Racing's V8 Supercar team boss Kim Jones will be strapping himself into a Formula Ford, to contest round five of the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship at Winton Raceway in Victoria this weekend.

Jones, whose last driving stint was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Mirage four years ago, is looking forward to the challenge of mixing it with some of Australia's brightest driving talent.

“It's been a while since I've been behind the wheel in a competitive environment so I have no illusions of grandeur … but the guys have put together a fantastic car, so I suppose anything is possible,” Kim Jones said.

Jones will be racing a Van Diemen RF04 which has been built by Motorsport Training Australia students at the Wodonga College of TAFE.

“This weekend is about showcasing the excellent work done by the students of Motorsport Training Australia and giving them the opportunity to really experience what it is like, and what it takes, to put together a competitive race package.

“At Winton, the guys will be able to show off their hard work to their local supporters, while gaining the required experience for an entry into next year's Australian Grand Prix which will hopefully open more doors for them in the future,” the Albury local concluded.

Another Albury local hopeful of another good weekend, is Sonic Racing's David Reynolds who is currently running third in the championship, just
28 points behind leader Brett Francis. Reynolds collected a bag of points at the last round in Queensland thanks to some aggressive, yet level-headed racing.

Winton is Sonic Racing's home track, and should help not only Reynolds, but teammates James Small and Bryce Washington. After a promising start, Washington and Small have fallen by the wayside in recent rounds, victims of both human and mechanical hiccups.

Borland Racing's Tim Macrow is another who will be feeling right at home, and will also be out to stamp his authority on the championship this weekend.
Currently in second place, Macrow trails by just 20 points, and like Sonic's drivers, will be using his home track knowledge to get a jump on Queenslander Francis.

Another familiar family name racing this weekend is 17 year-old James Davison, grandson of four-time Australian Grand Prix winner Lex, and cousin to Carrera Cup pilot Alex, and F1 hopeful Will. This will be James' first national level competition outing in a Formula Ford.

Do you fancy yourself as the next Schumacher, Webber or Montoya? Well thanks to U-Drive Performance Cars and the Formula Ford Association, you now have the chance the experience all the speed, power and adrenaline of a Race-bred Formula Ford. All you have to do is visit www.formulaford.com.au and fill out the online entry form and you could be strapping yourself into a Formula Ford for the thrill of a lifetime!

Your prize will include a 5 hour introductory Formula Ford driving course, comprising 25 laps over three driving sessions, a full safety briefing, expert tuition throughout the course from real race drivers, all safety equipment, as well as lunch and photos of your special day out.

Graduates from the Formula Ford class include Formula 1 world champions Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Mika Hakkinen. Introduced to Australia in 1969, Formula Ford is the accepted proving ground for the nation's champions, on a local and international level, and has produced champions such as Mark Webber, Craig Lowndes and Marcos Ambrose.

jimmycourier · 19 Jul 2004, 10:37 (Ref:1040206)

It was on the press release for ford on v8s. Down the bottom under formula ford heading

marcus · 19 Jul 2004, 22:16 (Ref:1040802)

David Reynolds , thats the other guy , he is a pretty good steerer too.

thanks for the press release GTR

Brock · 19 Jul 2004, 23:10 (Ref:1040851)

He is a big bloke will he fit into it ok

Kicking-back · 19 Jul 2004, 23:11 (Ref:1040854)

Yes.

FFords are surprisingly roomy.

marcus · 20 Jul 2004, 01:17 (Ref:1040890)

he is a pretty big bloke KB , im sure once he is in he will be fine.

Im looking forward to seeing how he goes , Im heading down for Saturday and they have a race so I will be watching with interest.

Ive raced (well sort of , practiced against at least) Kim in karts and he is not a bad steerer , quick through the corners but I can blow him away down the straight (but I only weight 65kg's

)

naughtymutt · 20 Jul 2004, 06:52 (Ref:1040947)

I wonder how many other teams are (genuinely) putting things back into the sport at base level.

Well done Kim, Brad and BJR.

rdmdog · 20 Jul 2004, 06:58 (Ref:1040951)

HMMMMM, I think that the BJR guys know what side of the bread is buttered! First choice on the promising young techos out of the system, plus some free work by the guys while they are on work experience at the BJR shed.

Still I guess its better than erecting a bigger fence at their workshop

Also a Believer · 20 Jul 2004, 07:14 (Ref:1040957)

good point dog,
i like transperancy

marcus · 20 Jul 2004, 11:26 (Ref:1041116)

they freely admit that , thats one reson they got involved , more hands for less money always a good choice

**GTRMagic** · 20 Jul 2004, 11:34 (Ref:1041125)

Quote:

Originally posted by marcus
they freely admit that , thats one reson they got involved , more hands for less money always a good choice

Which works wonders when there are greyheaded fellows showing the younger ones the ways of the world....

Kicking-back · 20 Jul 2004, 14:53 (Ref:1041339)

Keep us posted with how they get on...

marcus · 21 Jul 2004, 07:01 (Ref:1041884)

Its been going for a few years now already KB , not sure if any of the young engineers the program has produced have gone onto bigger and better things (we all know engineers dont get mentioned that much) but they have being doing a fairly good job in Formula Ford with David Reynolds so far.

Wrighty05 · 23 Jul 2004, 02:05 (Ref:1044077)

14 seconds off the pace in the 1st practice session.

marcus · 23 Jul 2004, 05:50 (Ref:1044146)

still last in 2nd practice but definately improving he is now only 7 seconds off the leader and within 3 tenths of his nearest competitor.

well done Kim (can you imagine it in the pits , See Brad thats how you improve your lap times between sessions , Got it ????)

105octane · 23 Jul 2004, 10:07 (Ref:1044363)

If he carries on improving from session to session like he has been today he will be on pole tomorrow.
Would love to see him get out of the car within 5 secs though.

retro · 23 Jul 2004, 10:13 (Ref:1044369)

The car apparently is owned by the local TAFE and they needed a driver for the week-end.

**GTRMagic** · 23 Jul 2004, 10:14 (Ref:1044371)

A lucky TAFE to have $50k+ to buy a FF.....