Single seater FF1600 Journey
Discussion
Sorry its a bit full on since Brands
Yes we had a great race weekend with a 2nd and our first win..
one week off to celebrate being 17, some driving lessons then
Next up, H had to change roles and he was number 1 Mechanic to 6 cars being run out of Shaws Motorsport at the HSCC event at Snet.
Long days Bu really worthwhile as He learns his craft in this sport.
Then back in to the work shop to prepare the Reynard for the upcoming rounds at Oulton
Then Back out to Donington, this time to run the Boss, Mark in a Beautiful Lynx M2 Formula Junior Car
Will post some updates from Oulton Park from next weekend. We are also back to Oulton for the GT races too, we are also in the support races in the United formula ford events.
Finally we can confirm our European round is almost sorted, will post details ASAP
Yes we had a great race weekend with a 2nd and our first win..
one week off to celebrate being 17, some driving lessons then
Next up, H had to change roles and he was number 1 Mechanic to 6 cars being run out of Shaws Motorsport at the HSCC event at Snet.
Long days Bu really worthwhile as He learns his craft in this sport.
Then back in to the work shop to prepare the Reynard for the upcoming rounds at Oulton
Then Back out to Donington, this time to run the Boss, Mark in a Beautiful Lynx M2 Formula Junior Car
Will post some updates from Oulton Park from next weekend. We are also back to Oulton for the GT races too, we are also in the support races in the United formula ford events.
Finally we can confirm our European round is almost sorted, will post details ASAP
Harrison and the race team had their next outing at Oulton Park on the 9th
What a track, H loved it and despite having very few laps under his belt, even after the test day.( 25 laps in total over 4 30 min sessions due to red flags and incidents!) Not ideal, but I do get it
TQ Harrison got the Reynard on the front row
Race 1, the start was awful, the 2nd phase the car just faded rev wse, then H went out over the gravel at turn one, which was pretty scary as a dad to watch. Harrison recovered and fought back to 4th, with the fastest lap. The lap was 0.5 faster than anyone else, demonstrating the potential, but if you give up 5 places at the start you are sunk.
Race 2, from 4th, carbon copy of the first race start, less gravel trap time, but sadly contact on lap 4 again pushed H back and he finished 5th
We have now some damage to replace and make good which is all part and parcel of it.
The spectators at Oulton were amazing and we had a fantastic opportunity to show the cars off to the general public as they opened the grid with the cars for the lunch break. H really enjoyed talking to people about the car etc.
A few pics
The last two images were of the contact and both drivers shaked hands after, it was a racing incident from the stewards and just two drivers wanting the same bit of tarmac. It does worry me now we are fighting at the front, as budgets are tight and he is only 17, so He is still learning so much, things will happen. but I just have to accept he is part of that battle and keep working harder to secure more partners. A lot of the more senior drivers have now accepted him, which is good.
What a track, H loved it and despite having very few laps under his belt, even after the test day.( 25 laps in total over 4 30 min sessions due to red flags and incidents!) Not ideal, but I do get it
TQ Harrison got the Reynard on the front row
Race 1, the start was awful, the 2nd phase the car just faded rev wse, then H went out over the gravel at turn one, which was pretty scary as a dad to watch. Harrison recovered and fought back to 4th, with the fastest lap. The lap was 0.5 faster than anyone else, demonstrating the potential, but if you give up 5 places at the start you are sunk.
Race 2, from 4th, carbon copy of the first race start, less gravel trap time, but sadly contact on lap 4 again pushed H back and he finished 5th
We have now some damage to replace and make good which is all part and parcel of it.
The spectators at Oulton were amazing and we had a fantastic opportunity to show the cars off to the general public as they opened the grid with the cars for the lunch break. H really enjoyed talking to people about the car etc.
A few pics
The last two images were of the contact and both drivers shaked hands after, it was a racing incident from the stewards and just two drivers wanting the same bit of tarmac. It does worry me now we are fighting at the front, as budgets are tight and he is only 17, so He is still learning so much, things will happen. but I just have to accept he is part of that battle and keep working harder to secure more partners. A lot of the more senior drivers have now accepted him, which is good.
Thank you, yes the racing is superb, and this year the grids have been close to 30 across all the series
My Lad actually works at the HSCC events as the team he races for, Shaws Motorsport, have a number of drivers who race in that series too. In fact my Lads partner actually races an early 80s Van Diemen. He was at Snetterton assisting to look after 6 cars.
I know that slicks and wings etc are far more appealing etc, but the budgets are huge. thankfully there is still a good number of younger male and female drivers coming through the FF1600 ranks.
Will you get to either the Walter Hayes or the Formula Ford festival this year?
My Lad actually works at the HSCC events as the team he races for, Shaws Motorsport, have a number of drivers who race in that series too. In fact my Lads partner actually races an early 80s Van Diemen. He was at Snetterton assisting to look after 6 cars.
I know that slicks and wings etc are far more appealing etc, but the budgets are huge. thankfully there is still a good number of younger male and female drivers coming through the FF1600 ranks.
Will you get to either the Walter Hayes or the Formula Ford festival this year?
Which European circuit are you doing?
I've only done two European club races, and, they were two of the best weekends of my life. It just brings an extra layer of (I guess) exoticism.
We did Zolder in 2025, which is a great track and the paddock had a party atmosphere. Then, we've just done the Spa Summer Classic, the first time I saw Spa, then, the first few laps will stay with me for some time. Real pinch me moments.
I've only done two European club races, and, they were two of the best weekends of my life. It just brings an extra layer of (I guess) exoticism.
We did Zolder in 2025, which is a great track and the paddock had a party atmosphere. Then, we've just done the Spa Summer Classic, the first time I saw Spa, then, the first few laps will stay with me for some time. Real pinch me moments.
Got you, sadly the team splits for cadwell as it clashes with Silverstone for our BRSCC championship.
There are a few date clashes which is hard work for the team guys
Re overseas, we are finalising a deal to compete at The Marcel Albers Trophy at Zandvoort in July. Fingers crossed at that would be amazing
We are very grateful for the Orange army and have met a few younger marshals coming through the ranks. I hope that the tend can continue, they are the life blood of the sport.
There are a few date clashes which is hard work for the team guys
Re overseas, we are finalising a deal to compete at The Marcel Albers Trophy at Zandvoort in July. Fingers crossed at that would be amazing
We are very grateful for the Orange army and have met a few younger marshals coming through the ranks. I hope that the tend can continue, they are the life blood of the sport.
keo said:
Only just found this thread. Brilliant I wish you and your lad all the best!
Thank you so much.We only got in to motorsport because as a young boy age 8 / 9he was painfully shy, and risk adverse. He would not go on slides, bouncy castles etc nothing. I really feared for his future in education and thought he would be badly bullied. I tried all sorts and noting worked. I saw a taster day at a teamsport track and after some words he went out on track. He crashed and got a nose bleed and I thought that's that. Instead he asked to go again. He was slow and far from a natural, but he developed and we got in to owner karting, just really for fun and it went from there, 8 years later we are now in cars and he will talk to anyone and is fearless behind the wheel. I have no illusions of mad progression, just that he enjoys his racing and he can build a future from somewhere around motorsport.
Alwayzsidewayz2 said:
Re overseas, we are finalising a deal to compete at The Marcel Albers Trophy at Zandvoort in July. Fingers crossed at that would be amazing.
Part of the Summer Trophy meet. Hopefully I'll be there albeit only spectating as I don't yet have sufficient points to upgrade my licence to European (I split my time between UK and NL due to work). Sadly not in time for this year's Summer Trophy but in the future I may well keep my 1973 Merlyn Mk 24 FF1600 in Europe...who knows, maybe we can sort out a 'guest race' in it for him one day?
On a practical note, I keep a lot of my tools and other 'support gear' here in NL (I'm on the outskirts of The Hague) so DM if you're in the area and need assistance
Manners79 said:
Part of the Summer Trophy meet. Hopefully I'll be there albeit only spectating as I don't yet have sufficient points to upgrade my licence to European (I split my time between UK and NL due to work).
Sadly not in time for this year's Summer Trophy but in the future I may well keep my 1973 Merlyn Mk 24 FF1600 in Europe...who knows, maybe we can sort out a 'guest race' in it for him one day?
On a practical note, I keep a lot of my tools and other 'support gear' here in NL (I'm on the outskirts of The Hague) so DM if you're in the area and need assistance
Thank you, that is very kind of you, H loves trying and comparing FF1600s. we are really looking forward to it. Sadly not in time for this year's Summer Trophy but in the future I may well keep my 1973 Merlyn Mk 24 FF1600 in Europe...who knows, maybe we can sort out a 'guest race' in it for him one day?
On a practical note, I keep a lot of my tools and other 'support gear' here in NL (I'm on the outskirts of The Hague) so DM if you're in the area and need assistance
Oulton was hard work, we suffered with a few technical issues, the worse being the front arb coming loose and poor H having to battle and Hang on, which he did until the later stages and a bug spin. Lots learnt thou and we will be back to this great circuit for sure. Next up some testing at Donni and then Mallory park early June
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