Formula MRF

[Valker]

Two Finns, F2 hope-full Jukka Honkavuori, and experienced FF racer Miikka Mäkelä, will travel to India next week. The plan is to race in Formula MRF series in Chennai. Thirst three races are in Feb. 5–6 and next three Feb 12–13. The last two races of the eight round championship take place in October as F1 support races.

It seems to be hard to find any information on the series, but so far I've found out that the car is a winged Van Diemen designed tube frame car with a 1600cc Duratec engine and a 5 speed Hewland sequential gear box. Slick tyres are made by title sponsor MRF. The series operates on arrive & drive basis.

In addition to the Finns, there may be couple of Brits racing too. I don't, however, know any names.

Can anyone tell more about Formula MRF? They have two versions of a website (flash, html) but neither has much content.

[ptclaus98]

I dunno much, but I wonder if they'd take Bridgestone Racing Academy grads to wrench on those cars, seeing as they're the exact same cars.

[Valker]

Nerver heard about Bridgestone Racing Academy before, thanks. Their site calls the car "Van Diemen Formula SCCA". So I presume SCCA have a racing series for those?

[ptclaus98]

Yup.

[Valker]

Entry list:

Vikash Anand
Arjun Balu
Anthony George
Gaurav Gill
Jukka Honkavuori
Jordan King
Miikka Mäkelä
Chrissy Palmer
Vishnu Prasad
Karthik Shankar
Ashwin Sundar
Ameya Walavalkar
Alex Waters

[Valker]

Ashwin Sundar won the first round today. Jordan King made a great job finishing second despite a 20 sec penalty (jump start). No idea who was third but Honkavuori finished 4th and Mäkelä was 8th... Two more races tomorrow.

[Valker]

Originally Posted by Valker

Jordan King made a great job finishing second despite a 20 sec penalty (jump start).

King was later disqualified ("technical infringement"). Two local drivers disqualified for technical matters too...

King, how ever, had a good weekend. He finished second in race 2 and won the last race. Ashwin Sundar, the reigning champion who won the first two races, received a 30sec penalty for causing an avoidable collision in race three. Otherwise he would have finished second.

Good weekend for King but very unfortunate for Chrissy Palmer. He suffered a broken vertebra in qualifying session: http://twitter.com/#!/bennythebulb/s...98074738958336

I don't know any details about the accident but I sure hope he'll get well soon!

Full results anyone? This is all I've got: FormulaPosti.fi

[ptclaus98]

A guy named Chrissy? How does that work?

[brands hatch]

Originally Posted by ptclaus98

A guy named Chrissy? How does that work?

I seem to recall he won the Brands Hatch formula ford festival in 2009, and was going to contest the Formula renault UK championship in 2010 but injured his wrist in a testing accident

[FFfan]

Originally Posted by brands hatch

I seem to recall he won the Brands Hatch formula ford festival in 2009, and was going to contest the Formula renault UK championship in 2010 but injured his wrist in a testing accident

He hasn't had a lot of luck at all actually since winning the Festival. He started 2010 in Formula Renault with Fortec but injured his wrist in practice after a couple of rounds at Brands. He made a comeback in Formula Ford with Century (Juno) but had a big off at Castle Combe and suffered concussion. Then did Ginetta G50 at Donington - I seem to remember he finished 2nd but was disqualified. Very goood driver if a tad unlucky!

[jondownunder]

Yeah, I remember the first I knew of him was when he had a big shunt at Oulton Park in '08 that sent him to hospital for checks. At the time I assumed it was a girl too. Showed a lot of promise afterwards. Hope he gets better soon.

[ss_collins]

Has anyone heard who is taking over from Palmer?

[Ian Sowman]

Yes, I have Sam

[Ian Sowman]

The 2007 Formula Vee Champion, 2009 FF1600 Midlands and South Class B Champion, double IST winner and former Autosport #1 Club Driver of the year Martin Galpin has arrived in Chennai to replace the unfortunate Chrissy Palmer.

He's had his first test today ahead of the races this weekend, and will have had much less time in the car than the majority of his rivals (who raced last weekend). Martin is adapting to the car, which is more powerful than what he has raced before, and is bewinged, and it will be interesting to see how he fares this weekend.

He is hoping to return to the subcontinent for the final rounds, supporting the Indian GP, in October.

I am sure he will keep everyone updated via his twitter feed - @66laps.

[FFfan]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

The 2007 Formula Vee Champion, 2009 FF1600 Midlands and South Class B Champion, double IST winner and former Autosport #1 Club Driver of the year Martin Galpin has arrived in Chennai to replace the unfortunate Chrissy Palmer.

He's had his first test today ahead of the races this weekend, and will have had much less time in the car than the majority of his rivals (who raced last weekend). Martin is adapting to the car, which is more powerful than what he has raced before, and is bewinged, and it will be interesting to see how he fares this weekend.

He is hoping to return to the subcontinent for the final rounds, supporting the Indian GP, in October.

I am sure he will keep everyone updated via his twitter feed - @66laps.

Very best of luck to him! Go Galpin Go!!

Dominic Malvern