Historic Formula Ford Newsletter 05/15 One of the best UK Racing Series in Historic Racing Organised by the HSCC in association with Avon Tyres Donington: sponsored by PowerLite There was a drivers photo call before our race to our sponsors' display of electrical goodies - but only the prettiest were invited which is why this group look so gorgeous! Mike Hadley, PowerLite MD and Commercial Director Rob Manger (ex racer and demo driver himself) share the limelight with our historic beauties... Practice: Mike Wrigley made the world record books by driving 2 seconds faster than anyone has ever driven a Formula Ford at the sunny, but slightly chilly hilltop venue of Donington Park. It turned out to be a computer glitch and he didn't get away with Pole in the end... Super-fast Lotus 51 driver Simon Hadfield really deserved that position just ahead of Lincolnshire boy Robert Wainwright and Will Nuthall. The remaining drivers up to tenth on the grid ALL beat each other by nano-seconds within a ONE second time frame. Yes it was tight. Although 10 o'clock in the morning, Chris Sharples had recently flown back from becoming a very proud "Do want to see the photos?" Grand-Dad in Australia and according to his body-clock he was having a night race. He did manage to keep awake and make 9th on the 32-car grid though. There are plenty of new (Andrew Mansell, John Slack) and impending Grandfathers (Michael Richings) on the grid - they'll all be comparing photos soon.. All went well with everyone else in practice and even the gremlins stayed away for there to be a 32-car start. Apart that is, from a bolt going through Gareth Paul's nice new ali radiator on his Merlyn. There were no panics, no dashing around for parts - all
was under control (except, presumably, from whomever dropped the offending bolt). Even the Bacon-butties with brie and mushrooms if required (oh, we are posh) didn't go up in smoke... The start was a corker to see. 32 cars streaming into Redgate and down Craner Curves was quite a sight. Simon held on tenuously from a threatening Wainwright. Close behind, a train of cars were racin'- Will Nuthall, Richard Mitchell, David Wild, Jono Baines, Brian Morris, James Buckton and Chris Sharples were having a brilliant time. A number of groups behind were doing it in style too and if you discounted all in front of them they would have made just as an exciting race as the leaders created. Andrew Mansell and Mike Wrigley had a battle-royal. Danny Stanzl was involved on occasions but seemed to suffer as his wheel bearing was going off leading him off too... There was a James Lovett, Alex Meek, Rob Smith, Matt Wrigley, Dan Pickett - bunch that was a nail-biter - a Philip Ledger (new boy (ex Crossle sports cars)) - Mike Wales - Roy Sergiejew fight that was as healthy as the banter afterwards. And Philip Walker, Andy Wiggins and Nick Pancisi had a great scrap too. Pick any group as leaders and you would have depicted the flavour of Formula Fords. Josh Barratt's YouTube film of our race understandably, covers a small part of what went on all the way to the back. At our meeting after the race we congratulated a very proud Jono Baines on his fight to the podium - it really was tight - James Buckton congratulated him too - even though it was sooo his - if he hadn't 'let' him through on the last lap. Jonathan was a happy bunny. Rob Rainlight wasn't there to take his position of 2nd and after welcoming Philip Ledger to our throng he was put in Robs place as honorary 2nd with First Place Simon Hadfield - Top Dog with a terrific drive in the oldest car in the field. Really and truthfully we should have a podium for us all...fair but daft...
The PowerLite Boys then announced that they had a draw for all those attending with a prize of one of their powerful starter motors* worth 150. Our last placed man (also in a Lotus 51) Keith Hazel was picked out of the hat and that added to his day. *Starter motors; Worth their weight in gold - especially as they are 2.3kgs lighter than standard and twice as powerful - they will get you going again if you were to spin & stall - saving your race entry fee! We said thanks to Grandstand Motor Sports Tour operator (and 5th in the race), David Wild for sponsoring our new mini-marquee. Also mentioned was that a few were going to accept an invitation to race at Spa in July and it is not too late for others to join them (details below), everyone was reminded of the evening BBQ at Snett and all were thanked for another great race and we went home... and finally one or two of our number are after wheels and are interested in running the Peugeot type wheel. I don't have any information as to which model etc. Could those running them let me know so I can pass the information please? Dick Andrew s announcements.. Autosport 3 Hours meeting at Snetterton: There are a few spaces left for the very very late! - It is a 2 day meeting with a Grand BBQ on Saturday evening in the shade of the NEW Historic Formula Ford awning, courtesy of Grandstand Motorsport (sorry we did not have it for Donington there was no room left on Andrew s trailer!). Every one is invited, drivers, families and friends and we will make sure there are enough bangers and burgers for everyone! There is also a bottle of beer or glass of wine on our sponsors.
At Snetterton we would like to welcome some new names - some new to the sport, others new to our grid. HSCC racer and race winner Robert Tusting is taking a 400cc reduction from his FF2000 exploits to join us smaller (but beautifully-formed) house of fun, Ross Dryborough who raced with us at Silverstone is back for the second time in his Merlyn and long-time-ago Lotus 61 racer Glenn Eagling will try to remember how to do it after a few years off track! Also a welcome back to Peter Finnigan who, I believe dropped off our horizons for a while and has returned (hopefully for some time to come Peter?). Ex HFF Champ Callum Grant who left us for F2000 I see is entered. Can't keep away Callum? Anyway, wherever you are from, WELCOME to the best series in Historic racing and long may it last. and the rest of the season Cadwell: We have a massive entry for Cadwell (32 entries for a 26 car grid). We are currently working out the fairest way of giving everybody two races. If you have any ideas of how to squeeze a quart into a pint pot please grab me at Snetterton. We will hold the annual cricket match where the Merlyns will defend their impressive win last season. If you can wear something in keeping with the spirit of a 1960 s cricket match it would be good. Cooper Chinook racer Stuart Dix's wife, Barbara's great idea of high tea at the cricket match (cucumber sandwiches, etc) will go down a treat, but Barbara would appreciate some help from the girls. Please contact Barbara Dix if you can help her out with the teas barbara_dix@sky.com Brands SuperPrix: A great line up for the GP circuit. It will be a two day weekend with qualifying on the Saturday and the race on the Sunday with a good chance of a BBQ on Saturday evening. In addition there will be a very special trophy awarded to the winner. Read more about this below. Croft Nostalgia: Sponsored by Mk8 Motorsport http://www.mk8motorsport.co.uk/ For those who are able to arrive on the Friday evening, there will be a French Café evening (along the lines of Allo Allo ) very generously hosted by Barbara and Stuart Dix. Fancy dress (beret and onions as a minimum) will be strongly encouraged. Get there if you can, it should be a great evening. On Saturday evening there will be the usual 1940 s knees up with posh frocks. We will remind you how to get your Saturday evening tickets nearer the time. Oulton Park Gold Cup: Sponsored by Grandstand Motorsport http://www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk/ Both qualifying and the race will be on the Bank Holiday Monday and expect a BBQ on the Sunday evening. Again there will be a very special trophy for the winner (see below) Brands Indy Sponsored by JVM Consultants http://www.jvmconsultants.co.uk/ A hospitality unit has been their style. Silverstone Finals: More to follow in the next newsletter Overseas Races: Take a look at the website www.historicff.co.uk for the latest. With the value of the /Euro it is not so expensive any more!
Spa 17,18,19, July it looks like being a great weekend. A number of our drivers have already booked (including Paul Hubbard, John Slack, Stuart Dix and yours truly), and more are just about to book. Booking details are on the overseas race calendar on our website. http://www.historicff.co.uk/2015-mainlandeuropean-calendar/ John Slack also has the details. Join the weekend party at (probably) the best race circuit in the world! Zandvoort 2,3,4,October is looking attractive for an end of season trip to the near continent. For those who have not enjoyed Zandvoort - it is awesome! Again the entry information is in John Slack s info pack http://www.historicff.co.uk/2015-mainland-european-calendar/ A Very, Very Special Trophy: Chariot racing was a popular spectator sport in the Roman Empire and the forerunner of our modern circuit motor racing. They raced around the chariot track called the Circus with one recently discovered in Colchester. At the famous Circus Maximus in Rome as many as 34 races were held each day! The winner of each race was presented with a special precious moulded glass beaker which depicted four-horse chariots racing. A complete beaker (now in the British museum), together with fragments were found at Colchester and a limited number of these cups have been reproduced using the traditional 3 part mould-blowing techniques. David Wild and Grandstand MotorSport have very generously offered to present one of these beakers to the winner of the Brands Hatch Super Prix and the winner of the Oulton Park Gold Cup (or to the second place if we have the same winner). This is very special and a fantastic opportunity to link to the very roots of our sport. Eat your heart out Boudicca... Scrutineering: Update from Silverstone. at Silverstone three engines were sealed and three fuel samples taken. I am very happy to report that all fuel samples were clean. The engines have yet to be inspected. Future checks: we are (almost) in possession of a set of rollers for testing the diffs and don t forget the camshaft gauge is at the meetings if you wish to test your cam Data Logging: I have noticed a few cars fitted with lap timers with predictive lap timing facilities (eg AIM Solo, Pitking GPS, Racetech Dash 3 etc). As you
know our current regulations prohibit predictive lap timing, so where I have seen them fitted I have asked for them to be removed for quali and race (you can use anything you like in testing). However as the input technology for lap timers moves from I.R. Beacon to GPS there may be a need to review our championship regulations in the context of the changing technology. This will require a discussion and vote from the drivers at our end-of-season meeting, but in the meantime please do not use them in quali or the race otherwise you will be breaking current regulations. Track walk/cycle: Don t forget the informal track walk/cycle to share experiences/tips. It starts from the exit of the pit lane at 18.00 hours (if the track is free of course) prior to the qualifying day for all who would like to join. It is simply a turn up if you want to. If you are a front running driver you would be especially welcome to impart your wealth of knowledge and experience to all us wanabees Help needed: If any one has spare room in their truck/trailer to transport an eazy-up and 2 folding tables (and they attend most meetings) then please contact Andrew on a.mansell@btinternet.com. Girl s Page: Watch out for the girl s page on the website www.historicff.co.uk for things to do at Snetterton whilst the boys are playing with their toys. If any of the ladies would like to be included on the distribution list for the newsletter please drop me an e mail at a.mansell@btinternet.com and finally..pertti s bits: Pertti has misplaced his aluminium L beam (160cm) which makes his car go faster. Also he has lost a cardboard tube (1m) where he keeps more secret bits. If any one has borrowed Pertti s bits and forgot to return them please see him at Snetterton. See you at Snetterton.. Andrew