Best 'New' FF1600 Chassis?

[blakeworth]

Hello all,


I previously raced in FF1600 back in the early 90's against some of the big names that have gone on to do great things (Verges, Magnussen, Ingall, et al), but sadly, lack of funding forced me to drop out and remain left behind.

I am now back in a position to start looking at getting back into racing, and from witnessing Formula Ford races this season, I feel comfortable FF1600 is where I would like to be.

I would like to purchase a new car, ideally for a team to run, with options to go it alone with a friend of mine.

From watching many races, many different chassis seemed to do the winning, in many different conditions.

I'd like to ask for peoples thoughts openly on chassis choice, as all Van Diemen, Ray, Mygale and Spectrum seemed to be 'dominating' in various races I saw.

It shows a true open field and competitiveness in FF1600 if so many different cars of manufacture and age can run right at the very front, and shows alot of what the higher formula categories could learn from FF1600.

Thanks,
B.

[itdontgo]

It depends on what championship you'll run it in. If you're in the BRSCC I'd run a Van Diemen as Medina go to every race.
Those Spectrums always seem to be at the front in the WHT though

[McArthur252]

The beauty of FF1600 is that a good driver will be quick in most cars (as has always been the case).
In the last 2 or so years I've seen Van Diemen's, Rays, Spectrums, Swifts and Mygales win races in very competitive grids.

For convenience, I'd consider a Van Diemen or Ray, as parts can easily be found.
While all cars have strengths and weaknesses, Van Diemen's seem to be the most consistent across varying conditions and circuits, they are also very popular and spares are readily available via Medina Sport.

I'm sure you'll find a dozen other people with a dozen different opinions though and as I said before, a good driver will be able to mix it in any of the chassis. (just avoid anything built 1993-99)

[grumpyf14d]

The chassis with the broadest tuning window seems to be the Ray. Late Van Diemen's are plentiful and therefore very supportable but has a very specific setup required to get the most out of it and its developments have greatly decreased in recent times. It also is very soft at the rear end which makes the setup tough at times. A 90-92 Van Diemen is also a fair choice on a short track or in wet conditions. Dry conditions on a high speed track favours the Spectrum but it doesn't have the trackside support nor the ability to perform consistently well in the rain. The Mygale does not have the development time nor trackside support to consider it a viable choice in the 1600 series at this time.

A team would provide the greatest success over the short term led by Dempsey and Medina. Considering the continued development of the chassis and the lead team running it, Dempsey with the Ray would be the best choice followed by Medina and the Van Diemen. One offs with other teams can find success but are few and far between. If you run yourself a Ray will bring you the most success however considering the 2015 schedule, a Spectrum might be the way to go if you can find the support and do the testing required to find the best setups.

[Flavio Galtieri]

My advice would be to make sure you take the same care and research buying a fast engine as you clearly are with the chassis.

Kent units can vary a lot in power output, even from the same engine builder. Try to get one with a known provenance of winning if you can.

[kartingdad]

Its all a bit of a black art in some ways. A 1992 Van Dieman won the National Championship plus a couple of other series this year. It had, for a large part of the season, Bilstein non adjustable dampers.

Go figure...

[Triple J Motorsport]

Originally Posted by Flavio Galtieri

My advice would be to make sure you take the same care and research buying a fast engine as you clearly are with the chassis.

Kent units can vary a lot in power output, even from the same engine builder. Try to get one with a known provenance of winning if you can.

Aren't the brand new kents meant to be consistant and as good as the best of the "old" ones?

[Flavio Galtieri]

Originally Posted by Triple J Motorsport

Aren't the brand new kents meant to be consistant and as good as the best of the "old" ones?

If true that's great news and probably the way to go then. I'm a little out of date as I've not run a Kent for 4 years or so.

I'd still want to see that proved on a dyno before I parted with the cash though....

[grumpyf14d]

Originally Posted by Flavio Galtieri

If true that's great news and probably the way to go then. I'm a little out of date as I've not run a Kent for 4 years or so.

I'd still want to see that proved on a dyno before I parted with the cash though....

The new block was made with improvements that make the block more reliable but in no way does it make power more consistently. It wil make the same power as a poor or good engine based on how it's built up. The only way to ensure a good engine is to buy one from one of the many builders out there.