formula fords all of em

gttouring · 20 Feb 2005, 13:56 (Ref:1230686)

with the massive karting fields everywhere, even in the US why don't these same drivers ever end up in Formula Ford? why isn't formula ford (or formula Vee for that matter) more popular or run more often?
nothing like a formula ford race, in competition and excitment, they can be rather inexpensive to run as well. i know there is a berth of series at this level to pick up these pieces...i don't feel many do provide what you can get in formula ford. what is there FF ford,Zip, palmer Audi, Formula BMW blah blah blah blah blah ( then variations on FF2000 like Formula atlantics(which is crazy expensive)
it seems a no brainer to encourage FF level of competition as the step up from karting to drivers and their parents. it is setup and motor tweaking no aero just racing...

StephenRae · 21 Feb 2005, 09:21 (Ref:1231237)

"Back in the good old days" FF1600 was the only route to the top...lots of hungry young drivers and quite a few competitive cars to choose from. As time went on the major racing car manufacturers were easily convinced by various commercial interests that it was more profitable to manufacture all of the cars on the grid.
Many formula have come and gone...now we have F BMW....no doubt when that has been milked there will be others....

ss_collins · 21 Feb 2005, 15:15 (Ref:1231485)

Well there should never be a lack of entries for a FF16 or a Vee race...

Vee gets around 60 entries for Silverstone each years, and an average of somwhere between 35 and 40

ErleMinhinnick · 25 Feb 2005, 12:44 (Ref:1235590)

gttouring's point remains though. There is no conduit from "us" into the karting community.

ACE Motorsport · 25 Mar 2005, 11:34 (Ref:1261377)

I think Formula Ford 1600 is getting a little popular again.
Maybe to make it more so, the Formula Ford races could be advertised in Karting magazines?
After Formula Zetec and all the others mentioned by gt touring, are beginning to wane a little, I for one, am hoping to see bigger grids of FF 1600 cars.

PaulSands · 25 Mar 2005, 18:07 (Ref:1261644)

BRSCC to place an ad would be a good start or send out missionaries armed with leaflets to the kart tracks.
Maybe offer an initiative of a test for winning a championship? Easy for me to say without fronting up the money to cover it of course

steve27 · 29 Mar 2005, 16:00 (Ref:1264392)

relying on the brscc is a no brainer.........James Becket has probably done more to promote ff than anyone....just imagine what could be acheived if you got the likes of James, Gavin Wills and Peter Daly to run and promote it as a series as say formula 1600 with the same regs just ommiting the name Ford (who do jack for the sport anyway)

monkeyracer · 30 Mar 2005, 08:31 (Ref:1265020)

In my view, having just moved from karts to ff, if a driver is to move up the ladder, ff is an essential stop. But i wouldn't have said that before i had ever driven one. For those that dont know, the karting world is very different to car racing. A typical week end you will get 6 practice sessions and 4 races, it's alot cheaper than any car racing, and you get more thrills for your buck.

Also, (not in my case) kids grow up with karting, so by the time they are old enough for cars they may have spent 8 years in the sport. Because of that, and the big increase in cost, many never leave karting. My views are slightly squewed as i've only raced in gearbox karts, but i used to think that for me to well in cars, i would need something that would have similar performance to the kart. The fact is, there is nothing unless you are spending serious money. So to move to a non slicks and wings car seemed like a back step.

In reality though, a move from a kart to any car, no matter how rigid, requires knowlage af suspension. A karter may be able to fudge over the area, jumping into a FRenault, and drive it well, but at some point in his/her career, they will suffer unless they understand the fundamentals. FF is one of the best ways of doind that as its all mechanical grip. The racing is top notch and paddocks are friendly.

Again karting and car driving styles are very different so it's worth seeing if you can cut the mustard in a cheep car before going for the 100k season! Although the performance is nothing like, i'm loving racing in ff, and will be singing it's praises to the karting crowd.

JohnMiller · 30 Mar 2005, 10:44 (Ref:1265114)

I've met quite a few ex-100cc karters who have told me that FF1600 is significantly cheaper overall to race in...

monkeyracer · 30 Mar 2005, 11:00 (Ref:1265126)

true, but some 100cc karters are spending 60k a year. As i mentioned, i'm from a gearbox background and you can win the brit championship on 7k. Thats including a new chassis and engine!

Triple J Motorsport · 30 Mar 2005, 11:12 (Ref:1265131)

Engines cost the same over a season but Kart tyres are a 3rd of the price and last longer and entry fees a 5th. Not to mention accident damage.

Redracer77 · 30 Mar 2005, 11:36 (Ref:1265159)

it took me a while to persuade you to try 1600 Monkeyracer but it seems to be paying off

monkeyracer · 30 Mar 2005, 11:44 (Ref:1265166)

i know. but loving it....

ActiveMS · 30 Mar 2005, 11:46 (Ref:1265170)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

I've met quite a few ex-100cc karters who have told me that FF1600 is significantly cheaper overall to race in...

Agreed, most people I have spoken to having come from national karting reckon most formula below F.BMW is alot cheaper. Sounds like someone in the karting world is making alot of money. For example 5k engine builds and 3 sets of tyres a weekend is where most of the cash goes by the sounds of things.

The karters I have seen in the last year or so come up to cars have gone very well and learn very quickly.

diz · 30 Mar 2005, 12:15 (Ref:1265195)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redracer77

it took me a while to persuade you to try 1600 Monkeyracer but it seems to be paying off

Is he one of ours Chris?

Triple J Motorsport · 30 Mar 2005, 12:25 (Ref:1265205)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ActiveMS

Agreed, most people I have spoken to having come from national karting reckon most formula below F.BMW is alot cheaper. Sounds like someone in the karting world is making alot of money. For example 5k engine builds and 3 sets of tyres a weekend is where most of the cash goes by the sounds of things.

The karters I have seen in the last year or so come up to cars have gone very well and learn very quickly.

When I did Super One you could only use one set of tyres for the weekend

Surely you mean £5K engine bill for the year! My rebuilds were about £100 top end and £250 for a complete build

Interestingly he is now doing FF1600 engines but not as cheap as that any more!

monkeyracer · 30 Mar 2005, 12:36 (Ref:1265214)

it's me diz - baby L

diz · 30 Mar 2005, 12:43 (Ref:1265224)

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyracer

it's me diz - baby L

Guessed so Johnny.

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