Formula Ford GB 2014

BtccLee · 7 Oct 2013, 15:00 (Ref:3314134)

The end of an era or just the beginning? Potentially the last year of Formula Ford GB as we know it ( Will it be FIA F4 in 2015 ?) or potentially the first real year of the new style Formula Ford...

Same format as this year with 3 races per weekend supporting the BTCC with a taster day in November.

http://www.britishformulaford.co.uk/...ula-ford-2014/

TimRTC · 7 Oct 2013, 15:47 (Ref:3314158)

It is good to see that they are continuing on the BTCC card despite this year's small grids, it does add a nice bit of variation to the TOCA package.

However, given the uncertain status of FFord going forwards, I cannot see too many teams wanting to invest, particularly if FIA F4 might require substantial rule changes.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 7 Oct 2013, 16:03 (Ref:3314167)

As long as the grids are always into double figures, that would be an achievement!

ivanalesi · 7 Oct 2013, 23:51 (Ref:3314340)

I don't get it, why would a name change bring more drivers? It's dead.

BtccLee · 8 Oct 2013, 19:14 (Ref:3314763)

Does anyone know what the situation between Ford and the chassis manufactures Sinter and Ray is?

I don't know but I fear it could be getting messy since it came to light that when Ford applies for FIA F4 ( Which is a lot more than a name change and could save the series) they can't apply to have a Class B for current chassis which breaks some guarantees Ford made..

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 8 Oct 2013, 19:22 (Ref:3314769)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivanalesi

I don't get it, why would a name change bring more drivers? It's dead.

It has FIA in it, and the same formula will be used throughout Europe. Other than that, there really isn't anything. With FR1.6 looking like it may work next season, and hopefully BRDC F4 surviving to have another good season, F4 has no place. I don't think that the FIA should regulate the very first step anyway. There isn't really a need. The best from these formulas go into F3/GP3 and will be compared against each other there. If the F4 category won't be raced all together at some point, what is the reason? Cost cutting? Jonathan Palmer's done a damn good job so far!

BtccLee · 20 Oct 2013, 20:53 (Ref:3320691)

Is Formula Ford GB contracted with the TOCA package and the BTCC until the end of 2015 or 2014???

BtccLee · 22 Oct 2013, 20:12 (Ref:3321833)

So 2014. What do we think in terms of grids. The cars exist and so do the teams it's finding drivers with the budget to enter. However, surely the serious is in a better position than Formula Renualt 1.6 as that series doesn't even have a calendar or as far as I am aware teams who have committed. And obviously this was supposed to take FRenault BARC back to a club series.

BRDC F4 is still the strongest but again surely it can't help A: Not having a calendar and B: Losing a key support slot with no DTM next year.

Here is the sampler day information. Quite interesting information here: http://www.britishformulaford.co.uk/...nvitation1.pdf

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 30 Oct 2013, 16:38 (Ref:3325194)

But BRDC F4 has TV...

simon drabble · 31 Oct 2013, 12:57 (Ref:3325501)

"Budgets from £75k to £120k" so Ecoboost 200 is cheaper than Duratec? Nice to see one arm of motorsport with deflation! I can only presume that is before testing or maybe Ford have done what they should and subsidized the series (unlikely)

EastonNeston · 31 Oct 2013, 14:12 (Ref:3325527)

Ford did subsidise the series by giving the first 15 entrants free championship registration.

Looking at the grid sizes all season, it seems the plan worked :-)

Deemun · 31 Oct 2013, 21:33 (Ref:3325635)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

Ford did subsidise the series by giving the first 15 entrants free championship registration.

Looking at the grid sizes all season, it seems the plan worked :-)

I would be surprised if anyone at all actually paid a race entry fee this year

BtccLee · 6 Nov 2013, 21:18 (Ref:3328229)

So apparently Fluid Motor Sport are about to enter Formula Ford EcoBoost next year as, of course, a works Sinter team. Happy that Ford have kept the present technical regs. Yet only weeks ago they were very unhappy at FIA F4 talks and 2015 change of regs possibly. So can we assume a Ford FIA F4 morph ( application for tender) is not happening (doubtful) or that both parties have sorted out their differences...

brakedisc · 8 Nov 2013, 08:13 (Ref:3328793)

Btcc LEE,

Every year every team "hypes" up their position so that prospective drivers might get in touch. Fluid will build or run anything if the money is right. Sadly FF200 or whatever they are going to call it is too expensive hence why it has died on its feet.

Rubbish rules, resulting in rubbish cars, resulting in rubbish racing, resulting in the Formula Ford name being rubbished. What a shame.

EastonNeston · 8 Nov 2013, 08:31 (Ref:3328798)

Serious question, with the options open to young drivers at that level, and taking into account all costs involved, circuits used, prenentation of teams and how useful a series is to a drivers career development, why would anyone choose to race in FF Ecoboost over the other options, ie Protyre F Renault or BRDCF4 in the uk or FR1600 or FR NEC in Europe?

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 8 Nov 2013, 16:40 (Ref:3328988)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

Serious question, with the options open to young drivers at that level, and taking into account all costs involved, circuits used, prenentation of teams and how useful a series is to a drivers career development, why would anyone choose to race in FF Ecoboost over the other options, ie Protyre F Renault or BRDCF4 in the uk or FR1600 or FR NEC in Europe?

History and/or the fact that a few of the FF teams have links to/run in higher series.

BtccLee · 12 Nov 2013, 16:12 (Ref:3330434)

http://www.britishformulaford.co.uk/...ula-ford-2014/

Some interesting alterations for 2014 and, even ignoring the marketing drivel, things maybe ( just maybe) are looking up...

EastonNeston · 12 Nov 2013, 17:46 (Ref:3330491)

Or, more probably, the final attempt to revive a series that is almost past the point of no return.

A prize fund of £30,000 isn't very much, and is actually a smaller investment than supporting the entry fees for the first 15 entries this year.

BtccLee · 12 Nov 2013, 18:24 (Ref:3330514)

I am a bit surprised with the possibility of FIA F4 regs being adopted in 2015. However, the would remain the same ( I assume this is the largest cost) and the chassis would probably be by Mygale who would perhaps be able to cut costs for FFord teams...

jondownunder · 13 Nov 2013, 00:46 (Ref:3330653)

Sad to see the series introducing reversed grids. Why must these series insist on letting mediocre drivers luck into a win each weekend?

EastonNeston · 13 Nov 2013, 02:45 (Ref:3330677)

Based on this years grid sized the entire grid will be reversed!

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 17 Nov 2013, 12:50 (Ref:3332546)

I think it's to not only test the really good drivers' overtaking skills, but also it pleases what sponsors are in the series!

Flavio Galtieri · 20 Nov 2013, 22:00 (Ref:3334504)

So who are JTR running next year?

BtccLee · 20 Nov 2013, 22:05 (Ref:3334505)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio Galtieri

So who are JTR running next year?

Century Motor Sport are set to run 2, Richardson want to run 3. JTR had been rumoured to pull out, but have told MN they intend to run drivers who come to them...

Deemun · 20 Nov 2013, 22:10 (Ref:3334508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio Galtieri

So who are JTR running next year?

They were notably absent from the FF sampler day at Rockingham last week, which seems a strange decision for a team that has just dominated the championship, and there has been some word that they are out of Ford next year although a brief news item in Motorsport News today mildly contradicts this.

Also heard that after recent dyno tests the JTR cars were found to have considerably more horsepower than other cars though of course they were the only cars that ran the Mount Tune engines so perhaps their considerable experience, especially in the turbo market, was a significant factor in this.

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