Old farts in FF?

[TIPPER]

Just thoughts really (at this stage) but I really do have an itch to go racing. I seem to use my Elise less and less on the road keeping it mainly for Sprints and trackdays.
So apart from the obvious of racing in the Elise trophy I was wondering about Formula Ford. Do old farts (I'm 52) race these at club level or are they just for the youngsters?

[lewis1]

Email sent!

[absolutely]

Geordie Taylor has raced his Formula Ford for years in the SMRC and is probably quite a bit older than you. However, a guy like Rory Butcher is only a young thing and is wiping the floor with the oldies.

[TIPPER]

Thanks guys. Lewis, I've sent you a reply.

[andy97]

Plenty of Old Farts (and young farts) in Monoposto, too.

[TIPPER]

andy97 said:

Plenty of Old Farts (and young farts) in Monoposto, too.

I've been looking at a single circuit (Castle Combe) championship to keep travel costs down (I live in South Devon).
Whilst the idea of spending lots of time testing and racing appeals we have two young children who are very much into their ponies so horsey shows take priority for the kids and then I try and get max bang for my buck in my (little) spare time.
I'm also trying to build up a small business this year so money is going to be a bit tight for a year or two.
The thing is I reckon if I don't do some racing soon I never will so want to get going within the next year or two. FF looks an affordable way of having some fun in a 'real' racing car.

[lewis1]

FF1600 in my opinion is probably the best Club level single seater formula around. Ok so there are some downsides with engine rebuild costs. But the bang for buck and amazingly close racing make it brilliant in mine and another 200 odd people who turn up and race at the walter hayes minds. I have replied to your email too!

Edited by lewis1 on Thursday 14th January 21:37

[micron750]

TIPPER said:

andy97 said:

Plenty of Old Farts (and young farts) in Monoposto, too.

I've been looking at a single circuit (Castle Combe) championship to keep travel costs down (I live in South Devon).
Whilst the idea of spending lots of time testing and racing appeals we have two young children who are very much into their ponies so horsey shows take priority for the kids and then I try and get max bang for my buck in my (little) spare time.
I'm also trying to build up a small business this year so money is going to be a bit tight for a year or two.
The thing is I reckon if I don't do some racing soon I never will so want to get going within the next year or two. FF looks an affordable way of having some fun in a 'real' racing car.

Combe's fford is by far the best single circuit championship there is and the best part if the grids full which it usually is you'll get a rebate not much but everything helps,i know a few of the drivers that take part many come back year on year as they enjoy it and they've changed the rules this year to limit the amount of tyres used in a year to 4 sets to try to give the smaller less well funded teams more of a chance.FFord at combe in my book is by far the best race of the day if you do decide to race the best of luck to you........we the quarry hardcore will give you a cheer;)

[anonymous-user]

TIPPER said:

andy97 said:

Plenty of Old Farts (and young farts) in Monoposto, too.

I've been looking at a single circuit (Castle Combe) championship to keep travel costs down (I live in South Devon).
Whilst the idea of spending lots of time testing and racing appeals we have two young children who are very much into their ponies so horsey shows take priority for the kids and then I try and get max bang for my buck in my (little) spare time.
I'm also trying to build up a small business this year so money is going to be a bit tight for a year or two.
The thing is I reckon if I don't do some racing soon I never will so want to get going within the next year or two. FF looks an affordable way of having some fun in a 'real' racing car.

have been watching the combe ff1600 racing for years and on the whole, i would say the average age of the drivers is at least 35. they are a good bunch and race fairly, it gets a bit busy at the front though and they do drive hard but its good natured throughout the grid and the paddock always seems quite friendly. i often look at it and think that bang per buck, its the closet to real racing (as in a single seater not a tin top!) that you can get primarily because you cant just lean on another cars door handle around the corners. there is a reasonable standard of driving and the exposed wheels lends a certain level of caution, almost all are owner/drivers and dont want to be replacing wishbones on a regular basis. accidents do happen, normally at quarry or tower but on the whole, are often avoidable.

a single circuit championship is ideal to keep costs low and you can improve and learn the circuit providing you with a bench mark. ask around on the combe forum, they will be happy to help.

[RobM77]

We've got plenty of drivers over 52 in 750MC F4, and yes, they're in Monoposto too. Don't let age put you off!

[TIPPER]

Excellent stuff amnd lots of encouragement - thanks.

I was doing some window shopping earlier and left an ad open which my other half noticed. She didn't hit the roof so that's encouraging too!

Lots of research and a rip or two to Combe this year to have a look I think.

[Galileo]

Try Formula Vee. Our oldest is 74 this year!!

[CaptiV8ted]

Here's another shout for Monoposto. I started racing with them at the tender age of 38 with no previous experience. I also live in South Devon, so fully understand your point about Castle Combe, but I would say this - C.Combe has none of the excitement of some of the other circuits such as Cadwell. Mallory, although basic, is still I think more exciting than Combe. I do all my testing at Combe plus a couple of track days over the years. The thing is, the Combe FF series isn't particulalry cheap either. On the car front, I would say you're better of with an 1800 as the engines are tougher and don't need pulling apart every so often. I very nearly went for an 1800, but was swept away by a 2.0 Xe powered winged car for similar money.

Don't rule out Mono, it's a great club and you'll get lots of excitement at different circuits.

[lewis1]

A good engine in kent will last just aslong as a zetec. Imo theres a reason why zetec fords have pretty much dissapeared and why there is still 150 odd kent cars kicking about.

[anonymous-user]

lewis1 said:

A good engine in kent will last just aslong as a zetec. Imo theres a reason why zetec fords have pretty much dissapeared and why there is still 150 odd kent cars kicking about.

because hundreds more kent cars were built?

the zetec cars were built to revitalise the national series werent they? i thought ford wanted to rebrand the british championship so it was new and shiny (around 1995?) and part of the TOCA package?

[lewis1]

yeh alot more were built. But you can convert most chassis to suit there engine just like you can a kent.
They ran for enough years to have a fair few more than there is now.

[TIPPER]

Still thinking.
I've made a couple of enquiries about cars too!
One thing - in my first year I'm thinking of just doing some track days and maybe a sprint or two.
How do things like FFs fare on track days?
I've been spoilt by the wonderfully organised and superb on track behaviour of Lotus on Track days and would worry about hasving my car jostled by £1k 'bangers'. Sorry if that sounds snooty but I've seen it happen.

[lewis1]

Formula fords wont be allowed on most if any track days. But if you have a race licence then Proper test days will see you right. You can normally ask the event organisers what sort of cars are out that day to get an idea of the speed difference.

[TIPPER]

Thanks Lewis I had a suspicion that they wouldn't really be right for TDs.
Test days will be fine.

[micron750]

TIPPER said:

Thanks Lewis I had a suspicion that they wouldn't really be right for TDs.
Test days will be fine.

If your're planning to do one at combe get in early as they tend to get very full with only 6 to 8 cars only on track at a time at 15 mins a session;)