LEGENDARY NATIONAL FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUCHES DOWN AT OULTON PARK
The BRSCC’s Avon Tyres National Formula Ford 1600 Championship heads to Cheshire this Saturday as part of a packed day of racing at the Oulton Park International Circuit.
It is round two in the championship calendar and fans can look forward to more of the exciting, close racing they have come to expect in this single seater championship, which is a traditional step in any young driver’s motor racing career.
American racer, Spike Kohlbecker, came away from round one leading the Pro-Class Championship, but knows full well that it is very early days in the season, commenting: “What happened at the last race is a distant memory to me – good or bad I don’t think about the last race.
Obviously, it was good to get my season underway with some solid championship points, but I am now focused on the next event at Oulton.”
In the opening round at Snetterton there were three different race winners; Kohlbecker, Rory Smith and Neil MacLennan, all of whom will be looking for more podiums in the two races taking place on Saturday. Ross Martin took three podiums at Snetterton which netted him second place in championship. Martin travels south from Scotland once more and has his eyes on the top step of the podium.
Martin’s outfit, reigning champions, Team Dolan, are bringing four cars, so also look out for former F4 driver Jamie Sharp, Morgan Quinn and Club-Class championship leader, Max Marzorati.
Marzorati races at Oulton Park for the first time in his career and relishes the challenge saying “I won’t have seen the circuit ever, before testing on Friday.
I am looking forward to learning one of the best driver circuits in the country, should be exciting, see you there.”
Some of Marzorati’s rivals won’t be at Oulton, but he will face Nigel Dolan for Club -Class honours as Dolan makes his 2019 championship debut.
Kevin Mills Racing field a three-car squad which includes the hard charging MacLennan, fellow young Scottish driver, Michael Macpherson and gamer Brendon Leigh, the first Formula 1 Esports Series World Champion and current Professional Esports driver for Mercedes F1 esports team.
Cliff Dempsey Racing’s trio showed a lot of promise at Snetterton. Kohlbecker came away with the laurels, but both Jonathan Browne and James Clark are potential race winners.
B-M Racing’s Rory Smith is certainly an exciting driver to watch. In race two at Snetterton he had a problem with his car which put him back in the pack and he was a DNF having been caught up in a mid-field incident. This meant that spectators had the treat of watching Smith carve his way through the field in the third race where he finished sixth.
Smith’s teammate is rookie Nicole Woods, who had a mixed event at Snetterton, but is gaining experience at every event.
Oldfield Racing’s Aaron Jeansonne is another young driver from across the pond. Jeansonne did not have a great start to his FF1600 National season but is hoping for a lot more this weekend. Team mate Scott Huntley made a positive start in his rookie year and leads that class.
In addition to trying to spot motor racing stars of the future, fans can also enjoy a packed programme of racing with the TCR UK Championship/Dunlop Tyres Touring Car Trophy having their first routing of the year, along with the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Supercup and Disklok Civic cup.
Race day takes place on Saturday 11th May. Qualifying begins at 08.30, with the Formula Fords at 10.00. Race one is due to start at 11.10.
