Ford to back the Formula Ford Championship

[Mackmot]

Heres the press release:

Ford pledges support to Formula Ford series for 2005

Ford will continue its patronage of one of Britain's longest-running racing series by extending its support for the Formula Ford UK Championship into 2005. Next year's series will continue to be organised by Racing Line Ltd, with whom Ford has developed a strong working partnership, and will again form an integral part of the support package for the British Formula 3 and GT championships.

Ford's support for the series comes just days after Valle Makela took top honours at the Formula Ford finals at Brands Hatch and just before the traditional end-of-season international Formula Ford festival at the Kent circuit.

Jost Capito, director of Ford TeamRS, Ford's motorsport and performance vehicle arm, said the company would support the 2005 championship with a view to securing a long-term future for Formula Ford. "The company sees Formula Ford as an entry level base for talented young drivers wishing to make the step up from karting into car racing. The championship has launched drivers of the calibre of Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and, more recently, Jensen Button, into international careers and I see the series as the first real proving ground for talented youngsters looking for a successful racing future.

"Formula Ford has a 38-year history and Ford wants to ensure, and remain part of, a stable long-term future for this exciting branch of motor racing. Ford TeamRS will continue to provide technical assistance to teams for 2005 as well as working hard to develop a strategy to take the series further into the future.

"For almost 40 years Formula Ford has been a faithful and much-loved friend to young drivers. It is an integral part of the company's motorsport strategy. We want to continue the tradition that has seen Grand Prix champions having graduated to the sport's pinnacle via Formula Ford. But it isn't just about drivers. The championship also provides the Formula 1 engineers of the future with the opportunity to learn their trade and progress their careers," added Capito.

Racing Line said Ford's commitment to the championship would provide a huge boost. "We're delighted that Ford wants to remain involved in the championship. We would like to thank the teams that have stayed in Formula Ford and remained loyal to the championship and sincerely believe that they will all benefit from the stability that Ford's involvement and significant financial support will provide. The company's commitment will provide further incentive for new teams to enter the championship and this is excellent news for the long-term future of Formula Ford."

[Mackmot]

I really hope they do everything thats needed to save Formula Ford. If they do this half hearted then they will have missed out on the final chance.

I think they need a prize of at least £100,000 for the winner, like Seat. They also need a proper hospitality building like Seat and BMW and they need decent TV. Really it should be on Grandstand.

If they can do that then I think they have a great chance to kill off BMW and reinstate their position.

[diz]

Another in a long line of Ford Press Releases over the years.
Judge it's contents at the end of the 2005 season.

[JEB]

I watch with interest....

[Mathias]

I'm a bit disappointed. I was looking forward to Formula Ford being supported by a different manufacturer..., you can see it now: the Vauxhall Formula Ford Championship. It'd be great.

[diz]

How long will it be before 'proper' FF1600 becomes just plain old F1600?

[Stephen Green]

What I find really depressing is that despite FF racing being as close as it always has been, Ford are not prepared to put the support behind the series that other manufacturers do theirs. When FF used to be on the BTCC package it was often left as the last race of the day, totally unfair in my books, as it often produced the best race of the weekend.

[Chucky]

"White man speak with forked tongue."

The release looks like another carefully crafted piece of non-commital trash. Unfortunately Ford change their policy quicker than the weather and a lot of this stuff is decided in a political bun fight behind closed doors with.....

I'll shut up now. Said enough already.

[Mackmot]

There is deffinately some support coming into the championship but question is how much. It has to be big in order to re-establish Formula Ford as the top junior category.

[Suze]

I can't see that support coming to be honest...let's just hope I'm proved wrong!

[JohnMiller]

Sounds the same as 2004 to me. Ie, no real support and ****e...

[Russfeld]

And certainly not to rival BMW's

[gttouring]

good FOrd will get back to its roots here and maybe things can get set straight for big blue oval
and FF is certainly great stuff

[blue nose]

They may put up a couple of hundred pounds to the winner lol

[diz]

Originally posted by blue nose
They may put up a couple of hundred pounds to the winner lol

And they could give it away

[Mr Jinxx]

I don't think FF will ever get back to being the TOP junior category. Where I feel it still has its opportunity, is to drop the Zetec route, and promote the FF1600 as the ESSENTIAL junior category, to learn (at what would need to revert to being a competitive price) car control, mechanical engineering, and a more "slidy" way of driving than the slicks and wings categories reward. And where merit can still come through at a budget, which it really can't as you get higher up the ladder.

Don't compete with BMW - set yourself up below it, make it cheaper, market it as indispensible, and you'll find people could leapfrog BMW and come back to FF1600 and go straight to FRenault

[diz]

I agree David. Looks like all hope is not lost for Ray [foreversideways] yet. A bit long as sabbaticals go, but who knows what 2005 will bring him.

[Mr Jinxx]

The other Ray - Bert Ray - seems to be addressing the issue too, with his manufactured Zetec chassis to take the Kent engine, rather than the expensive "home-made" conversions that are around. If others follow suit, maybe it will happen

[Mr Jinxx]

I'd love to see someone in that new Ray (in FF1600 guise) ... having had experience of his cars, I wouldn't mind betting it'll be a little beauty.

[diz]

Originally posted by Mr Jinxx
I'd love to see someone in that new Ray (in FF1600 guise) ... having had experience of his cars, I wouldn't mind betting it'll be a little beauty.

It's already taken a heat race win on its debut at the Castle Combe Carnival. Gear linkage problems in the final. Driven by Matt Rivett.
See www.clubff1600.co.uk for full reports, photos, driver quotes etc. Not just that meeting, but all other FF1600 races this year. There is even a photo of foreversideways - complete with garland.

[kartingdad]

Ford have just copied that press release from the one issued at the start of 2004.......

See www.formulaford.info for deja vu !

FORD TEAM RS TO SUPPORT UK FORMULA FORD SERIES

January 8, 2004

BRENTWOOD, January 8, 2004 – Ford Team RS will help ensure Formula Ford continues to play a key role in developing future Formula One world champions after announcing its support of the UK Championship in 2004.

Initially, Fords performance and competition arm will provide technical assistance and a tailored promotional support package to the series.

Ford Team RS will also seek to forge closer links between Formula Ford and its FIA Formula One and World Rally championship programmes, a move which could lead to an offer of a Formula One or WRC test if current plans reach fruition.

“Formula Ford has played a crucial role in grooming the sports future stars and providing an affordable competition arena for amateur drivers for nearly 40 years,” explained Jost Capito, director, Ford Team RS. “We are determined this heritage is not lost and that the category has a strong future.

“There is a chance our involvement will increase over time and we are already looking at ways of offering a test in a Cosworth-powered Formula One car or even the Ford Focus WRC machine to the series champion.”

Ford Team RS also confirmed the technical regulations for the category will be frozen for 2004 and any future changes will be tabled at regular meetings with the categorys various chassis constructors and engine preparation specialists. Ford Team RS is also keen to officially recognise other Formula Ford championships around the world.

The UK Formula Ford Championship, which is being co-ordinated by RacingLine Ltd on behalf of the British Racing and Sports Car Club, recently announced a five-year agreement to feature on the British F3-GT support package. Teams and drivers requiring more information should contact Barbara Armstrong on +44 1908 210077.

2004 UK Formula Ford Championship calendar (provisional)
Rounds 1 & 2 Donington Park April 3 & 4
Rounds 3 & 4 Croft May 1 & 2
Rounds 5 & 6 Knockhill May 15 & 16
Rounds 7 & 8 Snetterton June 5 & 6
Rounds 9 & 10 Castle Combe June 19 & 20
Rounds 11 & 12 Oulton Park July 17 & 18
Rounds 13 & 14 Silverstone August 14 & 15
Rounds 15 & 16 Thruxton August 29 & 30
Rounds 17 & 18 Spa-Francorchamps September 11 & 12
Rounds 19 & 20 Brands Hatch October 2 & 3

Notable Formula Ford graduates
Rubens Barrichello (89 Brazilian runner-up, Ferrari Formula One driver)
Jenson Button (98 British Champion, BAR Formula One driver)
David Coulthard (89 British Junior Champion, McLaren Formula One driver)
Anthony Davidson (00 Festival winner, BAR Formula One test driver)
Ralph Firman (93 Festival racer, Formula One driver)
Marc Gene (93 European runner-up, Williams Formula One test driver)
Nick Heidfeld (95 European Champion, Formula One driver)
Nicolas Kiesa (99 British Champion, made Formula One debut with Minardi)
Kimi Raikkonen (99 Festival finalist, McLaren Formula One driver)
Michael Schumacher (88 German runner-up, Ferrari Formula One driver)
Mark Webber (96 Festival winner, Jaguar Formula One driver)
Alexander Wurz (92 German champion, McLaren Formula One test driver)

# # #
Contact: Richard Rodgers Sarah Pope
+44 1277 245754 +44 1277 252835
rrodgers@prismteam.com spope9@ford.com

Notes to editors:
Formula Ford has been the cornerstone of junior motor racing in the since Ray Allen won the inaugural race at Brands Hatch in July 1967. Since then, the category has blossomed, launching the careers of a host of motor racing champions, not least Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and the late Ayrton Senna.

Of the 20 drivers competing in the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, 10 of them were schooled in Formula Ford, including champion Michael Schumacher and runner-up Kimi Raikkonen.

One of the major factors behind the Formulas success has been the consistent technical regulations. While the chassis have evolved on almost an annual basis to improve performance and also conform to increasingly stringent safety requirements, the 1600cc ‘Kent engine was used from 1967-1992, until being replaced by the 1800cc ‘Zetec unit from 1993 to the present day.

“Formula Ford was a great way for me to start my career,” said 1998 National Formula Ford Champion Jenson Button shortly after his Grand Prix debut in 2000. “The racing was very competitive and there isnt a better way to introduce rookies to open wheel racing. Formula Ford gave me the right preparation and experience needed to move up again in my career.”

[Triple J Motorsport]

Interesting the attachment form Racing Line includes:-

"Very significantly, this will also reduce the cost for a non-registered driver to contest a single round. It is a central objective for RacingLine to attract drivers and teams from other Formula Ford Zetec Championships in the UK and abroad to contest selected races alongside the registered UK Formula Ford Championship contenders."

This is good news as when I wanted to enter some rounds this year the entry fee for a single race had 3 naughts on the end.

Am I right in thinking the GT F3 package is not visiting any JP owned circuits next year?

Also I thought Ford had banned the official use of "FFZetec"?! Replaced by FF1800 at the beginning of this year!

[Stephen Green]

JP is currently in negotiations with SRO ref F3/GT's I believe. But, as things stand at the moment I don't think any MSV circuits are on the calender for next year.

[kartingdad]

No Ford allowed Zetec to be used as it is still backed by them. Also in MN a while ago there was talk of having a european set of races at Monza as well as Spa.

[diz]

I think the Zetec / FF1800 thing was Ford wanting to distance itself from the Clubmans Championship, so the Southern Zetec Series became the National Clubmans FF1800 Series and the 'Z' word wasn't to be used.