British Formula Ford Championship

Last updated
Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain
Formula Ford GB Logo 2012.jpg
Category Single seaters
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Inaugural season 1976
Folded 2014
Constructors Mygale, Sinter
Engine suppliers Ford
Tyre suppliers Dunlop Tyres, Hankook
Last Drivers' champion Flag of South Africa.svg Jayde Kruger
Last Teams' champion Flag of the United Kingdom.svg JTR

The British Formula Ford Championship was an entry level single seater motor racing category, designed to give racing drivers their first step into car racing after karting. Drivers from around the world were attracted to the United Kingdom to compete in the series, and successful Formula One drivers such as Ayrton Senna and Jenson Button won their first single-seater titles in the championship. The championship was run to various Formula Ford regulations over the years, based on the engines provided for the championship by Ford Motor Company. These engine based regulations/specifications include the Ford Kent engine, Ford Zetec engine, Ford Duratec engine and in the final years the Ford EcoBoost engine.

Contents

From the 2015 season onwards, the championship was replaced by MSA Formula, which conforms to the FIA's new Formula 4 regulations. Many of the teams and drivers which competed in the final season of British Formula Ford moved to the new series.

History

Formula Ford Duratec car from Mygale, Ray and Van Diemen Formula Ford Duratec .4.jpg
Formula Ford Duratec car from Mygale, Ray and Van Diemen

Although the first British Formula Ford Championship was not held until 1976, Formula Ford's roots are firmly situated in the British racing scene. The first Formula Ford race was held at Brands Hatch in 1967 and was the precursor to the birth of the domestic championship. The first British Formula Ford Championship, held in 1976, was the original Formula Ford Championship which gave birth to many others over the years, including successful championships in Australia and New Zealand. [1]

The championship started out with the 1600cc Ford Kent engine and continued to use it until Ford introduced its newer, more powerful 1800cc Ford Zetec engine. Although this engine change didn't affect the other technical regulations, which still called for steel space frames which were much more economical to build and run compared to their carbon fiber counterparts, the increased engine power accelerated chassis development, causing many of the smaller manufacturers to stop producing cars, resulting in fewer constructors represented in the championship. [2] The Zetec regulations lasted only 12 years up until the Ford Duratec engine was introduced in 2006, providing better handling and power due to its lighter weight even though the specification had returned to 1600cc engines. [1]

The biggest changes to the championship came in 2012 when the latest Ford EcoBoost engine and specification was adopted as the main championship. The EcoBoost car marks a substantial change in the direction of Formula Ford racing as it introduces both smaller capacity Turbocharged petrol engines and for the first time a sequential gearbox. [2]

The car

2012 Formula Ford EcoBoost Car Formula Ford Ecoboost 2012 4.jpg
2012 Formula Ford EcoBoost Car

The championship currently allows two specification of Formula Ford car to race: the current generation EcoBoost car and the previous generation Duratec car. The championship is multi-chassis, featuring manufacturers such as Van Diemen and Mygale. To help keep costs low, cars are made from steel, as opposed to the more exotic carbon fibre commonly found in higher categories of racing. The Duratec cars were introduced in 2006, when all the cars in the series were required to use the 1600cc Naturally aspirated Ford Duratec engine which replaced the Ford Kent engine that had been used since the championships inception. Beginning in 2012, the EcoBoost class was introduced to run as the premier class alongside a secondary class for the aging Duratec cars. The EcoBoost class utilises Ford's latest EcoBoost engine which provides greater power thanks to the introduction of a Turbo Charger. The chassis however remains a steel space frame rather than the carbon fibre Monocoque found in other formulae. [3]

From 2015 onwards, the MSA Formula will use Formula 4 regulations. Mygale will continue to provide the carbon-fibre monocoque chassis (As opposed to the Tatuus supplied chassis used in BRDC F4. The engine will be a Ford 1.6L EcoBoost engine as used in the more modern Formula Ford cars, tuned to a maximum of 160 PS. All engines will be tuned by the same race engine preparer, in an attempt to reduce costs. Similarly, all tyres will be provided by Hankook. Sadev will provide the sequential paddle shift transmission and data logging system.

The Championship

From 2013, the championship is composed of 30 rounds held at ten events in support of the British Touring Car Championship. [4] Both EcoBoost and Duratec classes compete in the same races as each other. Drivers who have competed in less than 4 junior formula races in the past are eligible to compete for the Rookie Cup, whilst both Teams and Constructors have separate championships for themselves. The Nations Cup is awarded to the highest placed registered driver from each country excluding UK. [3] In 2015, the series will again run 30 rounds at ten events in support of the BTCC, despite becoming the MSA Formula.

Weekend Format

A 20-minute qualifying session is used to decide the grid for all the weekend's races. The drivers fastest lap decides the grid for race one, their second fastest time decides the grid for race two and their third fastest time, the grid for race three. All three races will be run over 15 miles. [3]

Points system

Current points system

Points are awarded to all finishing drivers in each race as well as the driver setting the fastest lap using the following system:

Main Class, Teams Cup & Nations Cup points systems. [5]
 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th  13th  14th  15th  Others Fastest Lap
302724222018161412108643211
Scholarship Class points system. [5]
 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  Others Fastest Lap
201512108643212
Constructors Cup points system. [5]
 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th 
876543

Champions

1981 champion Ayrton Senna in his Van Diemen built car Ayrton Senna Beginning - Formula Ford 1981, Van Diemen.jpg
1981 champion Ayrton Senna in his Van Diemen built car
SeasonChampionConstructorTeams' ChampionSecondary ClassNations CupWinter Series Champion
1976 Flag of Ireland.svg David Kennedy Crossle Not HeldNot HeldNot HeldNot Held
1977 Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Trevor van RooyenRoyale
1978 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kenneth Acheson Royale
1979 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Sears Royale
1980 Flag of Ireland.svg Tommy Byrne Van Diemen
1981 Flag of Brazil.svg Ayrton Senna Van Diemen
1982 Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Van Diemen
1983 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Gilbert-Scott Van Diemen
1984 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Coyne Van Diemen
1985 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Bertrand Gachot Van Diemen
1986 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Eliott Van Diemen
1987 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eddie Irvine Van Diemen
1988 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Van Diemen
1989 Flag of Ireland.svg Bernard Dolan Reynard
1990 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael Vergers Van Diemen
1991 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Marc Goossens Van Diemen
1992 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jamie Spence Swift Winter Series Champion
1993 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russell Ingall Van Diemen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Byford
1994 Flag of Denmark.svg Jason Watt Vector Flag of India.svg Narain Karthikeyan
1995 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Bas Leinders Swift Flag of Brazil.svg Vítor Meira
1996 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Van Diemen Flag of Brazil.svg Ricardo Sperafico
1997 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jacky van der Ende Van Diemen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Taylor
1998 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button Mygale Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ricardo van der Ende
1999 Flag of Denmark.svg Nicolas Kiesa Mygale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Davidson
2000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Courtney Van Diemen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Carroll
2001 Flag of Sweden.svg Robert Dahlgren Van Diemen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joey Foster
2002 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Westley Barber Van Diemen Flag of Sweden.svg Alx Danielsson
2003 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Kimber-Smith Van Diemen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Walker Flag of Sweden.svg Sebastian Hohenthal
2004 Flag of Finland.svg Valle Mäkelä Van Diemen Not Held Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Sunderland
2005 Flag of Ireland.svg Charlie Donnelly Mygale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Bentley
2006 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nathan Freke Mygale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Mayes
SeasonChampionConstructorTeams' ChampionScholarship ClassNations CupWinter Series Champion
2007 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Callum MacLeod Mygale Not Held Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt DobsonNot HeldNot Held
2008 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wayne Boyd Mygale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chrissy Palmer
2009 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Cole Mygale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Daniel Cammish
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scott Pye Mygale Jamun Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tristan MingayFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott Malvern Mygale Jamun Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cavan CorcoranFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
SeasonChampionConstructorTeams' ChampionDuratec ChampionNations CupWinter Series Champion
2012 Flag of Finland.svg Antti Buri Mygale JTR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt RaoFlag of Finland.svg  Finland Not Held
SeasonChampionConstructorTeams' ChampionScholarship ClassNations CupWinter Series Champion
2013 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Cammish Mygale JTR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harrison Scott Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Not Held
2014 Flag of South Africa.svg Jayde Kruger Mygale JTR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ashley Sutton Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa

Other UK Championships

Such was the popularity of the formula in the UK over its history; there is an abundance of second hand chassis from previous generations of the championship. This has led to the formation of several other national and club level championships within the UK catering for legacy chassis, engines and cars.

Formula Ford Festival

The Formula Ford Festival is an annual meeting of Ford powered single seat racing cars which is held at the end of the British racing season, at the Brands Hatch motor racing circuit in the county of Kent, in Southern England. The events are held over the course of a weekend and although various classes of past and present Formula Fords are present, the high point for many is the championship in which young but skilled drivers from Ford competitions in Europe and beyond race against one another. Often it is a rare chance to compare the skills of drivers who take part in different Ford competitions around the world. The event is administered by the British Racing and Sports Car Club.

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References

  1. 1 2 "The History of Formula Ford Racing". [britishformulaford.com]. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 "History". [formulafordzetec.co.uk]. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "2012 Formula Ford GB Regulations" (PDF). British Formula Ford Championship. BRSCC . Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  4. "Formula Ford returns in 2013". British Touring Car Championship . TOCA. 12 October 2012. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 "2013 Formula Ford Championship Sporting Regulations" (PDF). British Formula Ford Championship. Max Communications. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  6. "BRSCC ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR DURATEC FORMULA FORD". BRSCC . BRSCC. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-01-12. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  7. "AVON TYRES FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIPS". BRSCC . BRSCC . Retrieved 31 October 2012.