New Zealand Formula First Championship

Last updated

2 time Champion Reece Hendl-Cox Current Champion Reece Hendl-Cox.jpg
2 time Champion Reece Hendl-Cox
New Zealand Formula First Championship
Category Open Wheel Racing
CountryFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Inaugural season1967
Drivers22 (2019)
Constructors Volkswagen
Engine suppliersVW 1200 (80 hp approx.)
Tyre suppliersMaxxis MA-P3
Drivers' champion Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris Symon [1]
Official website

The New Zealand Formula First Championship is an open-wheel racing championship that runs on Volkswagen engines and bodies. The introduction of the Formula Vee concept to New Zealand can be attributed to Barry Munro, an Officer in the New Zealand Army who constructed the country's inaugural Formula Vee. Commencing chassis design in 1966, Munro finalized the first mock-up by November of that year, with the vehicle being fully assembled by March 1967.

Contents

Notably, adherence to regulatory standards of the time required all racing cars to be registered, with the Munro Vee obtaining its initial registration on February 10, 1967. Munro's design prioritized affordability within the constraints of available technology. Notably, the nose cone was fashioned from a wool coat shaped over metal ribs and set with resin.

Throughout the 1967 season, Munro actively competed with the car, participating in various classes to bolster its visibility and generate interest in Formula Vee racing. Subsequently, Digby Taylor followed suit in constructing his own Formula Vee, leading to the organization of the inaugural All-Formula Vee race.

Over the course of its 50-year history in New Zealand, Formula Vee has established itself as a prominent platform for driver development and compelling competition. Noteworthy alumni include Formula 1 and IndyCar drivers, as well as touring car champions. The New Zealand Formula First Championship has attracted a host of distinguished competitors throughout its existence, including renowned figures such as Scott Dixon, Brendon Hartley, Liam Lawson, Shane van Gisbergen, Mitch Evans, and Richie Stanaway.

History

On November 25, 1967, the inaugural Formula Vee race in New Zealand saw approximately six cars assemble at Levin, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history. Among the participants were notable figures such as Barry Munro, George Hetterscheid, Roy King, Digby Taylor, John Macey, Ivan Berry, Brian Yates, and Phil Deer, forming the grid for the inaugural race at Bay Park. The class swiftly gained traction, earning inclusion in prestigious events like the 'Rothmans National' meeting at Pukekohe.[ citation needed ]

Half a century later, Formula Vee remains a steadfast presence in motorsport, adhering to its foundational principles, including the utilization of the 1,200 cc (73 cu in) VW engine. While the cars have undergone development over time, they have retained their affordability and fundamental simplicity, making participation accessible to a wide range of enthusiasts. Notably, the class underwent a name change at the outset of the 1998–99 season, rebranding as 'Formula First' to better align with its role within the motorsport pathway.[ citation needed ]

Formula First TV

Formula First TV, initially known as NZ Formula First on their YouTube channel, emerged as a platform for showcasing Formula First content, with Jordie Peters handling various production duties, including interviewing, filming, and editing race footage. The inaugural episode debuted on YouTube on October 24, 2015. Over a year and a half later, the first episode of Formula First TV premiered on May 6, 2017, featuring presenters Jonathan Morton and Sheridan Bonner. Both presenters continue in their roles, supplemented occasionally by guest presenters such as Callum Crawley and Conrad Clark.[ citation needed ]

Success stories

The New Zealand Formula First Championship is noted for its successful alumni. The class has been known for kick-starting professional careers, allowing competitors to learn the essentials of racing. It is hard to look back at Kiwi drivers who have gone on to win championships at home and abroad and find one that didn't start with Formula First.[ citation needed ]

Scott Dixon became NZ's first 'junior driver', entering the championship at 12 years of age and winning the National Championship in his rookie season. Formula One driver, WEC Champion and Le Mans 24 hour winner Brendon Hartley was another driver who started their racing with Formula First in their early teens. Open wheeler Mitch Evans is another of those success stories the class has seen over the years.[ citation needed ]

The SpeedSport Scholarship, originally a partnership between Grant McDonald's SpeedSport magazine and Dennis Martin's Sabre Motorsport team has seen many of NZ's recent stars kick-start their careers in Formula First. The majority of the scholarships recipients have gone on to win championships and have produced some of the most recognisable names in Motorsport including 2016 Supercars champ Shane van Gisbergen, 3x NZGP winner and SuperGT champ Nick Cassidy as well as GP2 race winner and ADAC Formula 3 champ Richie Stanaway along with Formula One rookie Liam Lawson.[ citation needed ]

Current drivers' championship [2]

Pos.Driver MAN PUK HMP MAN MAN HMP TAU TAU Points
1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Reece Hendl-Cox44334111112132161111121111613
2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris Symon11113Ret22267555122236114221394
3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Billy Frazer 32413725353142446347242331347
4 Flag of New Zealand.svg Liam Foster23251554544334393DSQ32333Ret41212
5 Flag of New Zealand.svg Amy Smith75745436675778844510996561100
6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ronan Murphy676781187=8866887556676998999.5
7 Flag of New Zealand.svg Thomas Boniface5RetRet1013643598772RetRet11545545985
8 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ron Carter106116613101099810996788910107610893
9 Flag of New Zealand.svg Nathan Sudiono129815138111214151012141210912108117889740
10 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brody McConkeyDNPDNPDNP22RetDNPDNPDNP242113DNPDNPDNP451DNPDNPDNP710
11 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob DillowDNPDNPDNP91179910DNPDNPDNP101314877111212161111585
12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Kyan Davie11129Ret106Ret14131114DNSDNS105Ret69Ret88DNPDNPDNP513
13 Flag of New Zealand.svg Rob Baker171615Ret1816131515171617151517121113191820171617462
14 Flag of New Zealand.svg Flynn Mullany18Ret16RetDNSDNS12111113Ret15131412109Ret15Ret17131316433
15 Flag of New Zealand.svg Louis Redshaw161014Ret1210DNPDNPDNP12129111113DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP10714417
16 Flag of New Zealand.svg Dave Scammell13151281412Ret1312DNPDNPDNP12Ret11DNPDNPDNP131418DNPDNPDNP345
17 Flag of New Zealand.svg Liam NicholsonDNPDNPDNP111515DNPDNPDNP1615RetDNPDNPDNP111012171516151415329
18 Flag of New Zealand.svg Taylor Hurst814514DNSDNS77=7RetRet14DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP284.5
19 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andrew Tierney141313121614DNPDNPDNP161316DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP14RetRetDNPDNPDNP238
20 Flag of New Zealand.svg Darren Henderson151110DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP14Ret13RetRet15DNPDNPDNP161313DNPDNPDNP229
21 Flag of New Zealand.svg Graig GreenwoodDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP1011DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP12Ret14141512219
22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Travis Day9817DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP12127191
23 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ian FosterDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP11101389
24 Flag of New Zealand.svg Barry HoldenDNPDNPDNPRet99DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP72
25 Flag of New Zealand.svg Shaun LoganDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP161615DNPDNPDNP60
26 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jarad NicholsonDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP181719DNPDNPDNP54
Pos.Driver MAN PUK HMP MAN MAN HMP TAU TAU Points
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

Rookie

Past champions

SeasonChampion
2023-24Chris Symon
2021-22Liam Foster
2020-21Chris Symon
2019-20Reece Hendl-Cox
2018-19Reece Hendl-Cox
2017–18Callum Crawley
2016–17Bramwell King
2015–16Michael Shepherd
2014–15Michael Shepherd
2013–14Rowan Shepherd
2012–13Rowan Shepherd
2011–12Matt Higham
2010–11Michael Shepherd
2009–10Michael Shepherd
2008–09Ian Foster
2007–08Cliff Field
2006–07Selby Allison
2005–06Michael Shepherd
2004–05Mark Russ
2003–04Leo Francis
2002–03Paul Butler
2001–02Michael Shepherd
2000–01Michael Shepherd
1999–2000David Payne
1998–99N Luxford
1997–98Mike Rohloff
1996–97Craig Greenwood
1995–96Dennis Martin
1994–95Robert Lester MNZM
1993–94 Scott Dixon
1992–93Dom Kalasih
1991–92Dennis Martin
1990–91Chris Maxwell
1989–90Tim Natusch
1988–89Ross Symon
1987–88Ross Symon
1986–87Ross Symon
1985–86Ross Symon
1984–85Robert Lester MNZM
1983–84Roger Coles
1982–83Roger Coles
1981–82Chris Abbott
1980–81Roger Coles
1979–80Steve Cameron
1978–79Robert Lester MNZM
1977–79Mick Scott
1976–77Donald Halliday
1975–76Ian Hodge
1974–75Norm Lankshear
1967–74Was not a national championship

Records

Most Titles
RankDriverTitles
1Michael Shepherd7
2Ross Symon4 Consecutive
3=Robert Lester MNZM3
3=R Coles3
4=Rowan Shepherd2
4=Dennis Martin2
5=Reece Hendl-Cox1
5=Callum Crawley1
5=Bramwell King1
5=Matt Higham1
5=Ian Foster1
5=Cliff Field1
5=Selby Allison1
5=Mark Russ1
5=Leo Francis1
5=Paul Butler1
5=David Payne1
5=N Luxford1
5=Mike Rohloff1
5=Craig Greenwood1
5=Dom Kalasih1
5= Scott Dixon 1
5=Chris Maxwell1
5=Tim Natusch1
5=Mike King1
5=Donald Halliday1
5=Ian Hodge1
5=Norm Lankshear1

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References

  1. "Reece Hendl-Cox seals NZ Formula First Championship". 15 April 2019.
  2. "Points".