NATIONAL FORMULA FORD WINS SINGLE SEATER SERIES OF THE YEAR IN DOWNFORCE UK AWARDS

There was delight at the Autosport International Racing Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday when the BRSCC’s very own Avon Tyres National Formula Ford Championship was declared the Single Seater Series of the Year in the Downforce UK Awards.

The accolade was presented to the championship after the general public voted in the Awards over the past few weeks. Jake Sanson of Downforce UK was on hand to hand over the award to Ian Smith, championship co-ordinator of the National Formula Ford Championship on the BRSCC stand.

The 2018 season saw Irishman Niall Murray come out on top as he claimed his second National title in three years. It provided close, intense and thrilling on track action with no less than seven different race winners, with Murray himself claiming eleven victories himself on his way to the crown. The year also saw the breakout of stars such as Murray’s Team Dolan teammate Matt Round–Garrido and Rory Smith, while Luke Cooper, Joey Foster, Neil MacLennan and Joshua Smith would also make top step visits. Vincent Jay would also taste success of his own as he became the Clubman Post 89 class champion after a solid, consistent campaign.

The National Formula Ford Championship also received a substantial boost to its profile when it was selected to form part of the support package for the all-new TCR UK Touring Car Championship, which made its competition debut here in Britain at Silverstone at the end of March in 2018. Along with a presence on a higher profile package, the championship also benefited from online live streaming of their Sunday races, as well as continuing its link with the Road To Indy USF2000 $200,000 Scholarship Shootout. Both are set to continue into the 2019 season.

Championship coordinator Ian Smith spoke of his delight at the championship’s award, saying: “I’m very pleased for the Club to receive this award, which was contributed to in part by many people. As always, the marshals, clerks and BRSCC officials and volunteers do a fantastic job. The teams contest the championship to a very high standard of professionalism and the actual racing displayed on track, coupled with the close and intense excitement, has been part of the Formula Ford story for over 50 years. Last but not least, the substantial efforts of my good self, ably assisted by my better half Di, have given use confidence for the new season. Here’s hoping we’re selected once again for this achievement 12 months from now!”