Single seater FF1600 Journey
Discussion
A fair bit to update on
My lad wanted to get off his Novice plates before attending the festival.
We entered an All comers race at Snetterton in a hired MX5 working with Paddock Motorsport
Never having driven this track before, he found it a bit more technical than he first assumed, but still qualified 10th overall and 4th in class. A low speed misfire was a niggle but you could drive round it
Race 1, a rolling start and my lad just focused on learning the track and not really pushing, although he did get a TL penalty, which I was not happy about!
Anyway only job was gather signatures
Race 2, started 8th and all going to plan then the car gets hard to shift gear in, He goes for 3rd and the gearbox gets stuck between gears and no drive.
Sadly a DNF and only one signature
So we needed a plan with the festival fast approaching
My lad contacted the 750 Motor club and arranged to spend a day marshalling for the race day at Mallory Park. In a incident filled day, he was very busy on post 3, but it was worth it as he gained the 6th signature and also a lot of credit for the way he approached the day
I think for all new drivers, its a very good idea to spend time marshalling.
Anyway he is now back with his formula ford race team, building up to the biggest race of his life so far, the Formula Ford festival at Brands Hatch this weekend
He will be racing the 50 year old 1975 Royale RP 21, as designed by Rory Byrne. Competing in the festival itself and also the pre 1982 race car class too
To help pay for his drive, H is helping to team to run other drivers in testing as a mechanic, so goes to the festival, with almost no testing experience at brands and non in that Royale car. First time he gets on track it will be TQ
The festival is all about the stories through the years, I am hoping my 16 year old lad can start to right his story there too.
After the festival there is no rest as he prepares for the Walter Hayes trophy next
My lad wanted to get off his Novice plates before attending the festival.
We entered an All comers race at Snetterton in a hired MX5 working with Paddock Motorsport
Never having driven this track before, he found it a bit more technical than he first assumed, but still qualified 10th overall and 4th in class. A low speed misfire was a niggle but you could drive round it
Race 1, a rolling start and my lad just focused on learning the track and not really pushing, although he did get a TL penalty, which I was not happy about!
Anyway only job was gather signatures
Race 2, started 8th and all going to plan then the car gets hard to shift gear in, He goes for 3rd and the gearbox gets stuck between gears and no drive.
Sadly a DNF and only one signature
So we needed a plan with the festival fast approaching
My lad contacted the 750 Motor club and arranged to spend a day marshalling for the race day at Mallory Park. In a incident filled day, he was very busy on post 3, but it was worth it as he gained the 6th signature and also a lot of credit for the way he approached the day
I think for all new drivers, its a very good idea to spend time marshalling.
Anyway he is now back with his formula ford race team, building up to the biggest race of his life so far, the Formula Ford festival at Brands Hatch this weekend
He will be racing the 50 year old 1975 Royale RP 21, as designed by Rory Byrne. Competing in the festival itself and also the pre 1982 race car class too
To help pay for his drive, H is helping to team to run other drivers in testing as a mechanic, so goes to the festival, with almost no testing experience at brands and non in that Royale car. First time he gets on track it will be TQ
The festival is all about the stories through the years, I am hoping my 16 year old lad can start to right his story there too.
After the festival there is no rest as he prepares for the Walter Hayes trophy next
Thank you
There was two serious incidents at the first corner of Mallory at the weekend, thankfully drivers while injured, it could off been a lot worse.
It really caused my lad to appreciate the processes and proedures involved and just how much note taking and work a marshal gets through
The chief marshal on his past was amazing and highly experienced and He got so much from it.
Thank you re the festival, yep its total boys own stuff really. I think the entry list is now nigh on 90 cars.
It will be such a good experience for him, in only his 4th ever race weekend.
However I am hoping 8 years of competitive karting has given him the foundation to make the most of the opportunity
Keep you all posted
There was two serious incidents at the first corner of Mallory at the weekend, thankfully drivers while injured, it could off been a lot worse.
It really caused my lad to appreciate the processes and proedures involved and just how much note taking and work a marshal gets through
The chief marshal on his past was amazing and highly experienced and He got so much from it.
Thank you re the festival, yep its total boys own stuff really. I think the entry list is now nigh on 90 cars.
It will be such a good experience for him, in only his 4th ever race weekend.
However I am hoping 8 years of competitive karting has given him the foundation to make the most of the opportunity
Keep you all posted
Lad at the track, not testing, but working as mechanic for others in the team
Tomorrow he is drawn in heat 3 for TQ and his first race
He is excited as you would expect.
me and his mum are nervous as hell
All the links are on the Brscc page if you want to follow the live streams or timing etc
Weather looking dry
This will be his first race of Novice plates and only his 4th ever car race event
Tomorrow he is drawn in heat 3 for TQ and his first race
He is excited as you would expect.
me and his mum are nervous as hell
All the links are on the Brscc page if you want to follow the live streams or timing etc
Weather looking dry
This will be his first race of Novice plates and only his 4th ever car race event
Yes it was a great debut thank you
Lot of good close racing, got the car more dialled in on the Sunday
Still just about 1 sec off the very fastest Historic and classic guys, but we will find that
Highlight was making the semi finale, as 8th in the progression race so a top reserve, and 6th overall in the 2nd Pre 82 race
Last historic final was Carnage 13th after starting 30th.
Sadly ignition issues held him back in a straight line but still he had good battles
Will post some pics soon
Now car being rebuilt ready for the Walter Hayes this weekend
Lot of good close racing, got the car more dialled in on the Sunday
Still just about 1 sec off the very fastest Historic and classic guys, but we will find that
Highlight was making the semi finale, as 8th in the progression race so a top reserve, and 6th overall in the 2nd Pre 82 race
Last historic final was Carnage 13th after starting 30th.
Sadly ignition issues held him back in a straight line but still he had good battles
Will post some pics soon
Now car being rebuilt ready for the Walter Hayes this weekend
Two days complete wet and dry testing at Silverstone for the Walter Hayes done
This is a serious step up from the festival, 108 cars entered.
A lot to learn for my lad, as he has not raced here before.
The wealth of talent racing is fantastic
Plus there is a car show, so if it all gets too much for me, I plan to just go and look at cars and take my mind of the racing
This is a serious step up from the festival, 108 cars entered.
A lot to learn for my lad, as he has not raced here before.
The wealth of talent racing is fantastic
Plus there is a car show, so if it all gets too much for me, I plan to just go and look at cars and take my mind of the racing
I hope he goes well, and no matter what happens you’re guaranteed a final on Sunday, unless he’s unfortunately caught up in someone else’s accident. If you get a bit stressed pop down to garage 19 for a chat, we’re running my youngest in car 154 he’s out in heat 3 & 5 cars in the Monoposto races on Sunday. I’m the one with the grey beard and flat cap.
Thank you so much, what an event!
So different to the Festival.
Drawn in Heat 1, so his TQ was in the wet, Which led to 17th for the Carl Hamer Trophy Pre final
Heat 1 17th after a TL pen
Pre final for pre 82 17th to 8th
Sunday
The last chance 13th to 9th
Semi Final 30th to 24th
Final for the pre 82 8th to 5th
He was in the leading pack all fighting for the lead, but sadly when Jacky van der Ende suffered gearbox issues and spun,my lad and another had to avoid and fell off the lead battle by 2 secs. So scrapped between themselves.
Really pleased with his progress, from first race in FF1600 in August to now fighting at the front in the Classic series and putting on a good show even when fighting the much faster modern cars
I even started to watch.
What a great 2 weeks, the experience and memories will stay with me for ever
So different to the Festival.
Drawn in Heat 1, so his TQ was in the wet, Which led to 17th for the Carl Hamer Trophy Pre final
Heat 1 17th after a TL pen
Pre final for pre 82 17th to 8th
Sunday
The last chance 13th to 9th
Semi Final 30th to 24th
Final for the pre 82 8th to 5th
He was in the leading pack all fighting for the lead, but sadly when Jacky van der Ende suffered gearbox issues and spun,my lad and another had to avoid and fell off the lead battle by 2 secs. So scrapped between themselves.
Really pleased with his progress, from first race in FF1600 in August to now fighting at the front in the Classic series and putting on a good show even when fighting the much faster modern cars
I even started to watch.
What a great 2 weeks, the experience and memories will stay with me for ever
Thank you.
We are working hard to do a full season next year in classic Formula Ford.
There is still a lot for my lad to learn and develop
So next year will be a full season of Classic Formula ford, perhaps in a slightly newer car. with BRSCC
We will also dip into the Historics with HSCC
Plus a trip to Ireland to race at the Irish FF1600 races
and of course the Festival and the trophy
As my lad is 16, I would rather stay in the class and hone the skills than just play leap frog up the motorsport ladder at a pace.
He wants to become an instructor too and gain further ARDS qualifcations when he can
We are working hard to do a full season next year in classic Formula Ford.
There is still a lot for my lad to learn and develop
So next year will be a full season of Classic Formula ford, perhaps in a slightly newer car. with BRSCC
We will also dip into the Historics with HSCC
Plus a trip to Ireland to race at the Irish FF1600 races
and of course the Festival and the trophy
As my lad is 16, I would rather stay in the class and hone the skills than just play leap frog up the motorsport ladder at a pace.
He wants to become an instructor too and gain further ARDS qualifcations when he can
Thank you so much, the racing was great, In fact I think that was one of the best weekends I have had at a track racing I have had for a long time
The cars are great, they teach drivers so much and the diversity in the grid is wonderful
We hope to race a slightly younger car next year, but still in the classic era.
I met Alan from Royale for the first time at the weekend, really nice guy and has a lot of wonderful stories to tell too
Look forward to seeing you out next year
The cars are great, they teach drivers so much and the diversity in the grid is wonderful
We hope to race a slightly younger car next year, but still in the classic era.
I met Alan from Royale for the first time at the weekend, really nice guy and has a lot of wonderful stories to tell too
Look forward to seeing you out next year
My Lad had hoped to be in an apprenticeship by now, since leaving school. But no real opportunities locally at all
So Instead he has joined the team he races with on a part time basis, as work experience.
The team specialise in classic and Historic Formula ford cars, so he has been in his element.
However he did struggle at first with imperial tools!
H has learned so much over the last few months, from basic brake and clutch bleeding to fitting pistons and rings.
He has struck a deal with the team owner too, so if my lad build up the car under supervision, he can race a chassis that has been sat idle next year.
Its a Reynard FF92 from 1992
A few pics of its current state as my lad gets stuck in
The plan is for Him to race it all next year in the Super classic series along with the festival and the Walter Hayes.
Plus he is learning so much, from suspension set up to Glassfibre repairs and painting.
I actually see this as a great opportunity for a young driver to get a much more technical understanding of a car
To help his racing fund, when he is not racing, he will be working in the team as a mechanic for their other drivers
He makes me laugh when he talks imperial sizes about his spannering. cannot be that many 16 year old that know that system these days
So Instead he has joined the team he races with on a part time basis, as work experience.
The team specialise in classic and Historic Formula ford cars, so he has been in his element.
However he did struggle at first with imperial tools!
H has learned so much over the last few months, from basic brake and clutch bleeding to fitting pistons and rings.
He has struck a deal with the team owner too, so if my lad build up the car under supervision, he can race a chassis that has been sat idle next year.
Its a Reynard FF92 from 1992
A few pics of its current state as my lad gets stuck in
The plan is for Him to race it all next year in the Super classic series along with the festival and the Walter Hayes.
Plus he is learning so much, from suspension set up to Glassfibre repairs and painting.
I actually see this as a great opportunity for a young driver to get a much more technical understanding of a car
To help his racing fund, when he is not racing, he will be working in the team as a mechanic for their other drivers
He makes me laugh when he talks imperial sizes about his spannering. cannot be that many 16 year old that know that system these days
Few more updates on the reynard
All the body work has been stripped and made ready for paint
And most importantly the driver can fit, some padding but basically no seat. so its tight and work to do round the front end.
Saving pennies now for an engine rebuild / refresh for the new year.
Hopping we can be testing in early March.
All the body work has been stripped and made ready for paint
And most importantly the driver can fit, some padding but basically no seat. so its tight and work to do round the front end.
Saving pennies now for an engine rebuild / refresh for the new year.
Hopping we can be testing in early March.
61GT said:
Watched the livestream over the weekend, your son did very well.
We re rebuilding a Royale RP26 and hope to be out in the series next year.
As you say, it looks a very good formula/championship.
Great to meet you at the show. Looking forward to seeing you out in you RoyaleWe re rebuilding a Royale RP26 and hope to be out in the series next year.
As you say, it looks a very good formula/championship.
Quick update on our progress
The engine went of for a refresh, top end and carb, Not the strongest but good all over
I got a great deal on 8 wheels and tyres barely used which helps type logistics
New seat going in Tomorrow I hope
Car should make its debut mid month at Mallory for a shakedown and then we test At silverstone before going to our first race at Brands on the 12th April
Few Pics
New screen fitted
Engine In
Ready for the seat
Final shot from Race Retro where my lad was on stage talking about the newt generation of racers. His first experience of public speaking, he found it tough, but by Sunday was approaching it like a race and was very confident.
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