FFF: Formula Fords Future

[paulzinho]

So what's the deal then, for the last 2 or 3 years I keep hearing that its dying its not gonna be around much longer,etc

Is it gonna die then or will it fight another day? More importantly how do you see it over the next couple of years.

[GM Man]

hahaha...well think about it my friend. FF has been around since the 60s and is probably never going away. Its just as strong as its ever been.

The reason why the fields were small last year was because they split juniors and seniors into two because of over subscribtion in 2001. There were still about 35-40 FFs.

I would regard the field as strong this year? Loads of cars, talent and close racing. More makes then usual in the top as well.

[JR Ewing]

Isn't the Zetec engine being dropped from 2004 or 2005, with a new motor coming in?

The current Zetec cars will really be isolated between the lifelong popular FF1600s and the then new cars which will be a real shame.

[mattray]

They are going to use the Duratech engine I think should make them more like a "Kent balance" because its going to be lighter and as if not more powerful so they might be good for racing ie. easier to get used to and easier on tyres, instead of needing 2 or 3 years to be fast in it. Just like the old days of Kent only, where it took half a season to be fast!

Cant see FF going away as a national championship its still a good stepping stone. but I am a little confused as to what will happen to all the Zetec chassis, I guess they will be cheaper to buy for a regional championship but is this enough to make it survive? (zetec I mean) .
Matt

[waspy]

Who says they are going to use the duratech engine?

[JR Ewing]

Ford

[JR Ewing]

At the rate things are going, all the Zetecs will be converted to Kents, noting Ed Moore won at Mallory yesterday with his RF00.

[waspy]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
Ford

When and where?

[JR Ewing]

I think in 2002 this was announced, but it might have been 2001...

However, I think BMP own the rights to teh championship so I'm not sure Ford can force it through, although I they have the chequebook out, noone is likely to argue are they?

[waspy]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
I think in 2002 this was announced, but it might have been 2001...

However, I think BMP own the rights to teh championship so I'm not sure Ford can force it through, although I they have the chequebook out, noone is likely to argue are they?

Well you must be the only one they told then. Everyone I have spoken to have not heard anything official at all. It would be nice if it went to the Duratech but Ford do have a habit of dragging their heels on making decisions.

[DALY]

Ed Moores win was only 1.5 secs and he did not get the fastest lap. What we have not seen is a wet race where the comparison can be made.

[spearce]

The numbers seem well down in the SOM FF this year, why is this. Only 10-12 cars is getting quite serious.

[JR Ewing]

Is it that low now??

Only Oulton and maybe Combe seem to have big grids this year.

[Bob Pearson]

Enlighten me somebody,
Why are people replacing the Zetec with Kent.

[spearce]

..... because they no longer make kent cars, and Zetec's are relatively cheap S/H.

[Bob Pearson]

I'm aware of that, but why not race them as Zetec's, I thought championships for the older ones existed, or am I mistaken. In addition I would have thought the Zetec engine was nicer to own than a Kent ( coming from one who has never owned either)

[spearce]

I think people are always looking for the 'unfair advantage', and would rather win in kents than ......

[JNWRF01]

having run in zetecs for two years - cars are great, but there are thay many races/meetings. If the regional FF champs ran a Zetec class (as per the old kent county) zetecs would grow in pop. It is the lack of choice of racing that is making me think of converting/buying a kent..

There a loads of zetec out there (somewhere) and the engines are bomb proof, tyres expensive (and u really need a set a race), spares can be costly.

The other downside is they are easy to drive to within a second or so of a national "time" - but you do need to test a lot to get the best out of them. They are not as easy or fun as the kents in my opinion..

[JR Ewing]

Bob, the Zetecs are less fun and more technical to drive and the parts cost a fortune, like £900 for a nosecone!

The 'club' Zetec championships are also difficult. The 750MC is pretty much a complete waste of time if you want to get anywhere and the BRSCC Southern/Northern are dominated by people spending £40k, which makes it impossible to win if you want to spend £5k...

[Bob Pearson]

Mmmmm I think I've got the picture now.

[spearce]

'are that many ' or aren't that many ???

The Noethern Zetec series seems to be struggling, but the NW FF1600's are still very strong. Zetec's don't seem to work at club level ?

[DALY]

yes the numbers are down in the SoM. However we have 23 drivers in class a who have scored points,it is just that they are not all out on the same days. Soem are run by teams/associates that clash with NW or Coombe.A better organised calendar will resolve this. Also perhaps the fact that we have 7 differnet ccts this year has lead to cost increases if testing was reqd. (Mallory, Donington, Silverstone Nat, Silverstone Intnl, Cadwell, Oulton, Rockingham.) But then this is almost a National series with such variety?
The "newer" chassis referred to as zetec's seem quicker when in the hands of drivers of speed.They are beatable and they are not illegal. Lets just get big grids again and get some serious track action, after all, the excitement of FF1600 comes partly from the unpredictable!
Only the finishers get the points!!!

[JustinDawkins]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
Bob, the BRSCC Southern/Northern are dominated by people spending £40k, which makes it impossible to win if you want to spend £5k...

Thats what I thought, but check MN tomorrow and yo will see the winner of the northern Zetec was one Richard Evans, one time avon junior runner.

I am pretty good friends with Richard, he hasn't raced for two and a half years, came back did one test at mallory, went to Oulton, wih the oldest car on the frid (RF98) and won, with old tires, and poor setup, it just shows how poorley supported the championship is.

On the subject of converted Zetecs I think that they are beatable, the only way someone could compare is by driving both, so far I have not seen a bad driver in a Zetec (Wills, Moore Adlam etc.) I think you will find its more driver than car. Ed Moore was third quikest in qualifying on Sunday, so they are not necessarily quicker.

[JR Ewing]

Really, he was the Zetec Challenge champion as I recall or something like that back in 2000.
The Northern is obviously very weak but the Southern definitely has big spenders in it.

[JustinDawkins]

yea something like that. He also did the winter series with Sweeney Hopper, with Adam Carrol.

I know what you mean about the southern champioship, but its not too bad now as Luke Hines is doing BTCC!