NATIONAL FORMULA FORDS JOURNEY TO THE ISLE OF ANGLESEY
Alex Birley gives us a look ahead to this weekend’s next chapter in the National Formula Ford Championship season.
The BRSCC Avon Tyres Formula Ford 1600 National Championship comes to the Anglesey Circuit on the back of five previous races, with five different winners and a lot of the very close racing we know to expect from these fantastic single-seaters.
This is the third round of this historic championship which has a 50-year history in the sport, playing a key role in the development of a number of legendary drivers including Ayrton Senna, Jenson Button, Eddie Irvine and Joseph Newgarden.
FF1600 is still a key step on the ladder to a career in motorsport, as the lack of aerodynamics on these distinctive cars means drivers have to rely on mechanical grip and close racing skills.
At Oulton Park we had two recent FF1600 National stars visiting the paddock as driver coaches. Reigning Formula Ford Festival Champion, Josh Smith, was back at Oldfield Motorsport on his weekend off from the McLaren Young Driver programme and Luke Williams (British GT racer) was with Kevin Mills Racing.
Last time out at the historic Oulton Park circuit there were two first-time FF1600 National race winners, Ross Martin and Jonathan Browne.
The Team Dolan racer, Ross Martin is in the 2018 championship-winning car and has put in some excellent performances to earn several podium finishes already. He comes to the Welsh circuit at the top of the National-Pro Championship table.
Don’t expect the young Scottish driver to have it all his own way though. Spike Kohlbecker (Cliff Dempsey Racing) and Neil MacLennan (Kevin Mills Racing), lie second and third in the championship and both are proven race winners. Also watch out for Rory Smith who had problems at both Snetterton and Oulton Park with his Medina JL18, but he was the victor in our season opener and another threat.
In the Club class, current championship leader, Max Marzorati, is absent this weekend which is going to close things up as the chasing pack, who had to miss Oulton Park, are back here. Expect close racing throughout the field as John Svensson, Adam Quartermaine, and Pascal Monbaron battle it out for Club Class honours.
Our FF1600 Rookies are all in action again. Former Karter, Scott Huntley (Oldfield Motorsport) is leading this championship, but has Team Dolan racer, Morgan Quinn right on his tail. Nicole Woods and two-times Formula 1 Esports Series World Champion, Brendon Leigh are a bit further back, but looking to build on their experience and points tally.
It is a full grid with David and Tom McArthur out for B-M Racing and Jamie Thorburn (Border Reivers), all of whom are out for the first time this year in the National series.
Alex Birley
