(Relatively) cheap free design racing

[skwdenyer]

The thread here about cheap level-playing-field formulae got me thinking - are there any formulae left that actively encourage innovative design with relatively free regulations?

I recall Gordon Murray commenting on coming to the UK (in 1969?) and how wonderful it was to find the 750 Motor Club with such freedom to design something interesting. But looking at their site now it seems that they have chosen to freeze-frame development in about 1973, and not to permit new (as opposed to "new-old&quot cars to compete.

For those that don't know, the 750 Motor Club formula was based on the idea of racing Austin 7 derivatives. In some classes you basically had to keep the chassis rails of an Austin 7 and the engine (with some mods allowed) but everything else was pretty much free.

So, what is there out there to encourage designers to innovate, be creative, and get (and see on the track) a genuine performance advantage from being unafraid to experiment?

[Dan Friel]

Formula 750 (run by 750MC). Very free design, you just need to use a Fiat FIRE engine and conform to certain dimensions.. (well generally speaking).

[skwdenyer]

Dan Friel said:

Formula 750 (run by 750MC). Very free design, you just need to use a Fiat FIRE engine and conform to certain dimensions.. (well generally speaking).

Well don't I feel like a donkey. I read through the old Austin 7-based stuff, bemoaned the demise of that formula as a playground for new builds, and missed the Formula 750. Doh

Sad to say it isn't quite as free as the old formula (which had people machining OHC heads for Reliant engines from scratch and other such wonderful diversions), but certainly quite interesting. Time to dust off my drawing board

[EDLT]

What about autograss? In the higher classes you can almost do what you want.

[Holst]

EDLT said:

What about autograss? In the higher classes you can almost do what you want.

A friend of mine is building a dual hiabusa engined grass track racer at the moment. Propperly mental (I should go and see how he is getting on as ive not seen him for ages)

Its a great formula to get started in as you can go racing very cheap, and as you say the higher classes are very open with regards to design.