Formula Palmer Audi - Budget

[jbzspace]

Could anyone comment on a realistic budget for a season of Formula Palmer Audi?

How much testing do competitors normally do and generally how much crash damage?

[Robin_D]

Well I know you do it as a package with Palmer. I would check their website.

http://www.formula-palmer-audi.com/

Maybe some details on there

[PK Kart]

It's an arrive and drive package.

Crash damage? Well call me obvious but Probably depends on how often and how hard you crash.

[jbzspace]

I do know that the advertised price for 08 is 60K up 5K from 07, apparently because Spa is added for 08.

What I am hoping to get is a realistic estimate of a total budget from someone who has done the series or is close to the series. That would take into consideration the amount of testing that a front runner would normally do along with a typical allowance for crash damage, mechanical responsibilities etc.

[JohnMiller]

IIRC they have a pool all contribute to for damage, and when that is exhausted they all contribute some more.

Testing is limited I think, to keep costs down - although most are out testing at each track in F3/FRenault which must add up to quite a bit.

Still good looking cars though even if they have already done ten years...

[PK Kart]

I think this formula is a brilliant club series for amateur drivers who want a fairly quick single seater but not the hassle of running their own outfit.

As far as a career formula, I really can't see why a young driver would doit, apart from the undoubtably good value offered. The chassis are now old and obselete and what top race series uses turbos? Nobody say champcar, I said top series!

[Alex K]

PK Kart, I know from officials that they want to put professionalism into the series, and attract many young guns. And they really do that. They want to be there competing for drivers with FR2.0, you think they can't? You think they can't? Show me racing series where they will charge you less than £100k, FFord only answer that comes to mind.

Jbz, well I think I can disclose 1 figure, they charge £1500.00 for damage, ask Mick for rest.

[Asa]

Actually I think it is a good series, but it seems that the not so quick drivers don't like it because they cannot find an excuse for losing, ie no team to blame.

In the beginning it offered the champion a free drive in F3000 and Justin Wilson benefitted, I rate Justin highly and I think his talent level is higher than many others who graduated from other single seater series.

[Mekola]

Asa, in the beggining the series was a feeder formula, but since 2001 turned to a club series. Since then, few drivers who entered there moved later to higher series (Roman Rusinov to Euro 3000 Series, Jonathan Kennard to Formula 3, Karim Ojjeh on sportscars).

[Chris Dredge]

Interesting thread guys but in answer to the last comment FPA certainly went the towards the clubman driver as the Palmersport company has thousands of people going through it doors each year doing their corporate days. This was a great place to find drivers, but in 2007 FPA wanted to go back to it's roots and appeal to young career drivers.

I think the tide is turning and in 2008 I think the whole field will be this type of driver.

[TT4]

Guys, the series must be on the up. Did you see the Maclaren Autosport shoot out on Motors? Like Asa quoted before, there is nowhere to hide - that is the scary bit for the drivers (&dads), there was some of the hottest talent on show at Snetterton and it showed.
I can't wait to see the line up for 08.
Jonathan Palmer obviously had the right idea when he started the series. I was one of the doubters back then, but I think I was wrong. Come on, 350 hp and not a huge aero package means one thing - driving skills.

[Alex K]

And... not even one engine failure in 10 years of running.

[TT4]

Well there cannot be anything wrong with the series. Stefan Wilson won the BRDC Maclaren Autosport award!!!!!!!!