Single seater FF1600 Journey
Discussion
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
Apologies since the 23rd a lot has happened.
So British GT at Oulton, only there one day, but wow, being in a proper event, there were crowds and my Lad even got to sign autographs, he got a good mention in the programme which was a cracking surprise.
TQ was okay only 12th a way off our pace from the past round on a very fast track
race 1 awful start again and then a scrappy race, car not handling at all, finish 12th
We only had a short time between races and focused on trying to solve the bogging at the start. Which we did after lots of tweaks ignition wise
But we did not notice that the front ARB bolts had worked Loose
After a good Start my Lad was up to 7th, but the car was wild and he lost it round the back of the circuit, He got so lucky not to put it in the barriers, although we still had a fair bit of damage from the high speed trip over the uneven grass incl a concorde like nose cone
Harrison still finished even after a pit stop and the starting issue was gone. But the team had some work,to do
New suspension rockers and repaired bodywork and the team tested at Donington late may on the 28th, car was back, but what is clear is that it has a very small operating window of being very happy on track.
We went to Mallory part and what a day. racing the newer cars, the reynard was 8th in TQ and 7th in the first race, but untl a mid race miss started he as able to race with the newer cars. Switch of plugs and Car was as good as new, 2nd race was intense and saw Harrison in the fight for 3rd until a late red flag for rain and cars off track. What a circuit Mallory is for FF1600.
6th Overall in the race and 6th overall in the standings for a 32 year old car, we are delighted.
We then had a triple header race at Silverstone international for the main Super classic championship Harrison Leads
Lots of late nights for the team and H to get ready for the event.
TQ was 4th
Race 1 from 4th it turned into a proper slipstream Formula ford classic battle and My lad pulled of a very brave move on the last lap to take the win from Luke Cooper
Next race was another big battle but contact in the rear led to damaged suspension and wrecked tyre, but he still fought back to 2nd, how the tire stayed intact I don't know
Race 3, was a show down between Luke Cooper and Harrison, Cooper went from Pole and the grey Reynard was right on the back of Cooper's swift. The two drivers pulled a gap on the first lap and just continued to fight it out at high speed, eventually pulling a gap of 8.9 sec on the battle in 3rd. My lad did everything he could, but Luke was so tough to beat, they were level a few times but Luke Just held on. After what was a classic silverstone battle, Luke beat Harrison by 0.058 over the line.
Pic so you can see how close race 1 was!
my lad has been stripping the box down today just to check everything. good learning for a 17 year old
So British GT at Oulton, only there one day, but wow, being in a proper event, there were crowds and my Lad even got to sign autographs, he got a good mention in the programme which was a cracking surprise.
TQ was okay only 12th a way off our pace from the past round on a very fast track
race 1 awful start again and then a scrappy race, car not handling at all, finish 12th
We only had a short time between races and focused on trying to solve the bogging at the start. Which we did after lots of tweaks ignition wise
But we did not notice that the front ARB bolts had worked Loose
After a good Start my Lad was up to 7th, but the car was wild and he lost it round the back of the circuit, He got so lucky not to put it in the barriers, although we still had a fair bit of damage from the high speed trip over the uneven grass incl a concorde like nose cone
Harrison still finished even after a pit stop and the starting issue was gone. But the team had some work,to do
New suspension rockers and repaired bodywork and the team tested at Donington late may on the 28th, car was back, but what is clear is that it has a very small operating window of being very happy on track.
We went to Mallory part and what a day. racing the newer cars, the reynard was 8th in TQ and 7th in the first race, but untl a mid race miss started he as able to race with the newer cars. Switch of plugs and Car was as good as new, 2nd race was intense and saw Harrison in the fight for 3rd until a late red flag for rain and cars off track. What a circuit Mallory is for FF1600.
6th Overall in the race and 6th overall in the standings for a 32 year old car, we are delighted.
We then had a triple header race at Silverstone international for the main Super classic championship Harrison Leads
Lots of late nights for the team and H to get ready for the event.
TQ was 4th
Race 1 from 4th it turned into a proper slipstream Formula ford classic battle and My lad pulled of a very brave move on the last lap to take the win from Luke Cooper
Next race was another big battle but contact in the rear led to damaged suspension and wrecked tyre, but he still fought back to 2nd, how the tire stayed intact I don't know
Race 3, was a show down between Luke Cooper and Harrison, Cooper went from Pole and the grey Reynard was right on the back of Cooper's swift. The two drivers pulled a gap on the first lap and just continued to fight it out at high speed, eventually pulling a gap of 8.9 sec on the battle in 3rd. My lad did everything he could, but Luke was so tough to beat, they were level a few times but Luke Just held on. After what was a classic silverstone battle, Luke beat Harrison by 0.058 over the line.
Pic so you can see how close race 1 was!
my lad has been stripping the box down today just to check everything. good learning for a 17 year old
Edited by Alwayzsidewayz2 on Friday 19th June 17:30
coppice said:
Great stuff - what meetings are you competing in the rest of this season?
As an aside I was at Cadwell for the HSCC meeting last week and if I see (even) better racing this year than the Historic and Classci FF1600 I'll be delighted .
The Shaws team had several drivers out at the Hscc meet, Ollie chapman, Graham Payne, Colin Williams, Ben hadfield, & Phil SeniorAs an aside I was at Cadwell for the HSCC meeting last week and if I see (even) better racing this year than the Historic and Classci FF1600 I'll be delighted .
I heard it was good racing, a driver I really rate is young Grace Parkington, very talented individual, both on spanners and behind the wheel.
Can I suggest you look up the two united Formula ford races from Mallary that are on youtube, they are two crackers. Sadly no cameras at Silverstone, but the racing was Just how you love Formula ford, hard but fair, and as close as you like
After Lydden, we go to Zandvoort, then Donington in later July. Fews trips to Snetterton before Anglesey and then the big meets at Brands and two at silverstone.
Next up was June the 27 and a one day race meet at Lydden Hill.
What a great venue, very good for the spectators and a real challenge for the driver.
I made an error and only went with old tyres, which made it interesting.
Coming of the Heatwave, Saturday AM was wet, with a heavy down pour
In the warm up, we had a electrical issue but managed a few laps on a drying track and surprised us by going fastest
TQ everyone went new rubber and we stayed on used and only improved by 0.5, result was 7th
Race 1, bad start but recovered to 8th
Had to switch the rear tyres to ones with some tread left! made a car tweak
Race 2 good start and race long battle for 4th, ended up 5th
Not the biggest grid, but we left with smiles on our faces
Driver was most pleased that the gearbox he had rebuilt was perfect all day long!
Next up a trip to Holland
What a great venue, very good for the spectators and a real challenge for the driver.
I made an error and only went with old tyres, which made it interesting.
Coming of the Heatwave, Saturday AM was wet, with a heavy down pour
In the warm up, we had a electrical issue but managed a few laps on a drying track and surprised us by going fastest
TQ everyone went new rubber and we stayed on used and only improved by 0.5, result was 7th
Race 1, bad start but recovered to 8th
Had to switch the rear tyres to ones with some tread left! made a car tweak
Race 2 good start and race long battle for 4th, ended up 5th
Not the biggest grid, but we left with smiles on our faces
Driver was most pleased that the gearbox he had rebuilt was perfect all day long!
Next up a trip to Holland
Edited by Alwayzsidewayz2 on Thursday 2nd July 17:43
I am so sorry we missed you.
Re the engine, well we hired the car and engine from a another team owner, a great guy called Jurgen.
We had suffered some misfire issues in practice and TQ, but we felt these were fixed. But we had no dash lights on warnings and everything on the AIM dash was delayed. H felt that the engine was reving harder than it showed, but not crazy high.
It blew just on the start of lap 4 and the first thought was has H run wide and smashed the sump or bounced up high to over rev. I watched all the footage with the owner of the car, and nothing. I was sweating as the engine was not insured and if it was our fault I would be paying. But the team boss and the owner owner said No not Harrison's issue and said how well he had driven
I wish I knew re the engine as it was a real downer but I also had to say that all the paddock was amazing and so friendly
My lad got up to speed and was fighting for the win, what More can I ask for. in a new car and team at a new track.
We will be back, I am just sorry we did not see your goodself and out on more of a show.
For anyone interested we are racing at donington this weekend on the BRSCC event back in the Reynard. It is live streamed on saturday and Sunday.
Your camper looks stunning, I hope you swung by the beach too
Re the engine, well we hired the car and engine from a another team owner, a great guy called Jurgen.
We had suffered some misfire issues in practice and TQ, but we felt these were fixed. But we had no dash lights on warnings and everything on the AIM dash was delayed. H felt that the engine was reving harder than it showed, but not crazy high.
It blew just on the start of lap 4 and the first thought was has H run wide and smashed the sump or bounced up high to over rev. I watched all the footage with the owner of the car, and nothing. I was sweating as the engine was not insured and if it was our fault I would be paying. But the team boss and the owner owner said No not Harrison's issue and said how well he had driven
I wish I knew re the engine as it was a real downer but I also had to say that all the paddock was amazing and so friendly
My lad got up to speed and was fighting for the win, what More can I ask for. in a new car and team at a new track.
We will be back, I am just sorry we did not see your goodself and out on more of a show.
For anyone interested we are racing at donington this weekend on the BRSCC event back in the Reynard. It is live streamed on saturday and Sunday.
Your camper looks stunning, I hope you swung by the beach too
Update from a busy weekend at Donington.
After the disappointment of Holland, we linked up with the team ready for a good crack at the two races for the Super Classic championship
No updates to the car and with a number of very fast guests and a lot of drivers having found some pace and tested a lot. TQ was tough, our worse result ever with 7th overall. My lad was just not able to get a decent lap in and was left very frustrated.
Race 1 on Saturday was hectic, a bad start left the Reynard in 8th place behind a sea of Van Diemens. Alex Ames was able to drive away from the chasing pack.
My lad went on the attack, getting up to 4th at one point before dropping back to 5th after he took a bit too much from the tire. Interestly, most cars were on the older Avon 9s and not the later 10s we use. While it was damage limitation, we had just given up 5 points in the championship battle to our rival, a lead of 17 cut to 12.
Some soul searching over night by the driver and a small tweak to the front end, was the prep for race 2 on the sunday morning.
Starting from 5th, again his start was compromised, this time by contact in front of him, leading to 2 cars going of the road. However his bad start had left him in 6th. For a few Laps the top 6 drivers had the spectators on their feet as the racing was stunning, so close, so nip and tuck. But sadly two cars came together on the main straight, and one ended up hitting the outer pit wall hard.
Mt lad had put in a real fast lap to nick the 2 points for fastest lap, and on the last racing lap, with his nearest rival in front of him, dived round the outside of him into the chicane, crossing the line 4th. Thus reversing the points swing by 4 points only.
One heck of a race, shame it went over the line and contact happened, but I have to say the FF1600 scene is starting to grow again, that was 26 classic single seaters on the Donington track last weekend.
Few pro pics from James Roberts for you
Next up is Snetterton this weekend for a one day event on the saturday
After the disappointment of Holland, we linked up with the team ready for a good crack at the two races for the Super Classic championship
No updates to the car and with a number of very fast guests and a lot of drivers having found some pace and tested a lot. TQ was tough, our worse result ever with 7th overall. My lad was just not able to get a decent lap in and was left very frustrated.
Race 1 on Saturday was hectic, a bad start left the Reynard in 8th place behind a sea of Van Diemens. Alex Ames was able to drive away from the chasing pack.
My lad went on the attack, getting up to 4th at one point before dropping back to 5th after he took a bit too much from the tire. Interestly, most cars were on the older Avon 9s and not the later 10s we use. While it was damage limitation, we had just given up 5 points in the championship battle to our rival, a lead of 17 cut to 12.
Some soul searching over night by the driver and a small tweak to the front end, was the prep for race 2 on the sunday morning.
Starting from 5th, again his start was compromised, this time by contact in front of him, leading to 2 cars going of the road. However his bad start had left him in 6th. For a few Laps the top 6 drivers had the spectators on their feet as the racing was stunning, so close, so nip and tuck. But sadly two cars came together on the main straight, and one ended up hitting the outer pit wall hard.
Mt lad had put in a real fast lap to nick the 2 points for fastest lap, and on the last racing lap, with his nearest rival in front of him, dived round the outside of him into the chicane, crossing the line 4th. Thus reversing the points swing by 4 points only.
One heck of a race, shame it went over the line and contact happened, but I have to say the FF1600 scene is starting to grow again, that was 26 classic single seaters on the Donington track last weekend.
Few pro pics from James Roberts for you
Next up is Snetterton this weekend for a one day event on the saturday
After this weekend, we have two rounds left in the Super classic championship
Snetterton 200 21 to 22nd August
Anglesey 12 to 13 september
One more united round.
Silverstone National 10th and 11th October
Thats with HSCC too
Then
Formula ford festival october 24 and 25th brands Hatch
Finally Walter Hayes silverstone
31st october 1st November
Snetterton 200 21 to 22nd August
Anglesey 12 to 13 september
One more united round.
Silverstone National 10th and 11th October
Thats with HSCC too
Then
Formula ford festival october 24 and 25th brands Hatch
Finally Walter Hayes silverstone
31st october 1st November
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Thanks! Hoping my Merlyn will be ready for next year so just trying to get my head around the various FF1600 options available. On the subject of which - I will need to do a shakedown down for which I'll probably go to Blyton Park or somewhere similar. If your lad wants to join for some seat time in the Merlyn - for both his benefit and mine in terms of an experienced set of hands on the wheel - that is definitely something to look at.
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Happy to help, over the closed Season H will be dcumenting his track note and car notes on his website too, just some basic info on lines etc to try and help people join back in to the sport. All for more drivers and cars coming back in to the FF1600 fold
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