How will Formula BMW affect British motor sport?

[alfaman]

Having read that Formula BMW is set to join the TOCAtour package next year with National Formula Ford Zetec likely to go back to the F3/GT meetings.

How do people think this will affect single seater racing in Britain next year?

With Formula BMW and Formula Renault on the same bill will FR lose drivers? Or do you think poor old Formula Ford without manufacturer backing will be the biggest loser?

I know that in Germany Formula BMW and Formula Renault co-exist but that's a different market to the UK.

Do people think the arrival of F BMW is a good thing or is it a single seater series the UK can do without?

[flor]

not only FR and formula BMW co-exist in germany there are also formula VW and formula könig

[spearce]

It seems to me we already have enough : Zip, FF1600 + zetec, FR, FPA, Honda, etc. They can't all have full grids.

Where does this fit with the new MSA structure ?

[JR Ewing]

it's a so-called 'pro' thing spearce, it's unlikely to affect FF1600...

[Paul Rayner]

Why would a young driver do Formula Ford when they could do BMW, with full manufacturer backing, for cheaper? Also it'll be harder to find sponsors away from the TOCA package. Ford will suffer, but I don't think Renault will, as it's a level higher.

[JR Ewing]

I dunno, why do people do FFord now when they could do Zip, with manufacturer backing, for cheaper?
Why do they do FRenault now when they could do F3 Class B for similar money?
Choice I should think.
I like Renault but when it produces close racing right down the field like FFord I'll eat my helmet.

[cheesey]

According to Motorsport News on weds, Carlin and Fortec might look at running teams. If teams like that and BMW backing its bound to attract drivers away from Zip and FFord, It shouldn't affect FRenault to much. I see kids going from Karting to FBMW on to either FR or F3.

[Andrew Kitson]

Yet another Formula we do not need.
Good to see FF going back where it belongs - under the proper single seater umbrella of F3.

[Bob Pearson]

Anyone know what the expected budgets are for BMW, in the end that will be the big deciding point. Am I right in saying that the BM's are only 1 litre, if so they will mainly affect Zip grids. ( assuming budgets are comparable)

[JNWRF01]

well if Germany is anything to go by - the FF zetec teams all went FBMW (with help by BMW in terms of buying new cars) - and FF died.

I would be amazed if there is anything left of zetec next season....FBMW the cars are (I think) EURO40k (£27k) so not too different from a new zetec...i think budgets are about the same ... but the FBMW are full carbon monocoque wings and slicks, properly run and promoted..and look at Rosberg (last year's winner) drove a Williams as part of his prize..

Can;t see Zetec surviving in any sort of shape...

[spearce]

Does this mean even more zetec's flooding the S/H market - sounds like VD may have to ramp up production of kent conversion kits!

[sceptic]

Originally posted by JR Ewing
I dunno, why do people do FFord now when they could do Zip, with manufacturer backing, for cheaper?

Is it because F Ford has a better history?
Or maybe because the racing is better?
Maybe because it gets more coverage in Autosport?
Or because it has better TV coverage?

[Paul Rayner]

I agree that the history of Formula Ford Zetec will help the series, but history isn't everything, especially when you're trying to put together funds to compete. Drivers will balance the reputation and cost of Ford today, as it currently stands, against FRenault, FBMW, Fwhatever else there is.

JR Ewing - I agree Renault doesn't produce racing like FFord, because of the wings. But how many drivers pick a championship to race in because there's lots of overtaking, and how many because it's seen as the best way to get to F1?

[Super Tourer]

I reckon drivers will be falling over themselves to enter the series and associate themselves with a brand like BMW.

FFord looks the obvious casualty, as has been said before - all down to budgets - but I can see this series stealing a lot of thunder from FFord.

[Rocktracer]

be interesting to how they perform compared with the other numerous classes in the uk.

More importantly how are the costs? How is it run?
many teams or all one operation?

[JR Ewing]

The budgets will I think be far, far less than Zetecs, more in line with F Zip - who must be seriously worried by this...

[Rocktracer]

....Mr Hines, The man with a lambo back in 1990!!

[Mackmot]

The budgets will be about £130-40 similar to Renault.
BMW will kill off FFord as a major championship but it will be in direct competition with FRenault for drivers. A few F3 teams (Fortec,Carlin and P1) believe there will be more drivers coming out of the woodwork once BMW starts.

[cheesey]

Originally posted by Bob Pearson
Am I right in saying that the BM's are only 1 litre, if so they will mainly affect Zip grids. ( assuming budgets are comparable)

They use a 1200cc RS Bike engine with a Hewland FT gearbox, not to sure about the chassis/tub, except it's made by Mygale. The wings aren't there for cosmetic purposes or as bumpers like the Zip. With full backing from BMW its bound to be a succses.

[flor]

about lap times, on the short version of the nürburgring FR lap times are around 1:29 and formula BMW around 1:32

[JR Ewing]

Budgets should be about £60k maximum methinks, Mackmot?

[Jensen]

I agree with Mackmot, I understand the budgets will be over 100k for BMW, I do not think it will be a threat to FR, as for FF ? who knows, I think BMW may get off to a slow start whilst people watch to see if it gets the profile, I am also aware that BMW are offering silly offers and subsidies etc, so that might sway a few drivers that way, as for it's affect on ZIP, I would have to say none, this is established now and is still turning out drivers, it is affordable and a good first step, so I would not think that Mr Hines is all that bothered about BMW.

[JNWRF01]

I don;t know if you guys remember when FRenault was properly introduce in 1990 - it killed FF. There were two drivers for the factory reynard and Van Diemen teams(the juniors were reasonably supported). The class almost died - but survived because of the well supported local scene and the fact that all the European's ran FFs (remember the festival was the only year where the euros stood a chance).

Now this time around - there is no Zetecs in Europe except Benelux/Scandi - FBMW everywhere esle. There are no factory teams left in FFZetec to support it - so I guess the teams will follow the drivers to FBMW. I guess the zetecs will either be converted to kents or raced in SFFC/NFFC...

Budgets - as ever they will vary massively - but if you look at the costs of doing the Spanish FBMW series (advertised in Autosport - euro40,000) then you should have enough to race if you have a Zetec budget..I see FZip as FFirst replacement so i guess it will bumble along..

[TeamJLR]

The cars are 48,500 euros plus data logger at 6,000 euros in germany, approx £35,000/£38,000. Once you have paid a mechanic, run a truck, tyres, fuel, bought some spare wheels, entry fees, been testing once or twice with a hotel every now and again, workshop etc. etc. please explain how you get to a budget of £60,000 maximum? Mackmot, for once you have not been negative but about right at £120,000. I hear one or two budgets in Germany are closer to £150,000. Why do Ford? Much cheaper, twice as much testing, ability to learn how to overtake, learn about mechanical grip....

[Rocktracer]

learn not reley on aero devices... fully developed car....

I see where your heading JLR.. So your not considering it?!