STELLAR ENTRY DESCENDS ON BRANDS HATCH FOR 54TH FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL

50 years. That’s a long time. Of course it is. But that’s just how long we’ve been enjoying one of the world’s best and most loved single seater contests at the rapid little Kent speedbowl that is the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. It’s incredible to think just how long an event like this has continued and remains as popular and well supported as ever. But then when October comes around, the leaves begin to fall and the temperatures start to drop a little, it not only signifies Autumn, but also another very important season – Festival season. Welcome to the 54th running of the BRSCC’s annual blue-riband event – the Formula Ford Festival.

For those new to the event, a quick history lesson. Conceived as a crazy idea in a pub (as all the best ideas usually are) back in 1972, the first Formula Ford Festival was held at Snetterton circuit in Norfolk and won by Ian Taylor in a Dulon chassis. Since then, the event lasted until 1976 before making the switch to Brands Hatch where it’s remained to this day and while the Festival is more synonymous with running here, it never forgets its roots.

Over those 50 years at Brands Hatch, actual motorsport legends have come and gone and passed through this event (winner or not) on their way to stardom. The winners list is almost a who’s who of motorsport – Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Johnny Herbert, Derek Daly, Eddie Ir-vine, Nick Tandy, Jan Magnussen, Julian Bailey, the late Roland Ratzenberger and Anthony Da-vidson are just some of the alumni that are featured on the roll of honour. But even then, there’s others who couldn’t take the top step but still used the Festival as a key stepping stone. Think Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Allan McNish, Kimi Raikkonen, Alain Menu, Mark Blundell, Andy Wallace – the list goes on.

These days, the Festival is more of a high-profile club event for the best that the Formula Ford scene has to offer in the country. While it doesn’t offer the same pathways up the ladder as be-fore, there’s still something magical about the Festival and winning it feels just as special as it did all those years ago in its heyday, when entries would soar into the high 100s and even getting close to 200 at times.

The format of the Festival is simple – qualifying and compete in one of the designated heats you’re assigned to. Make it into a progression spot, and you move on to the semi finals. Do the same again on Sunday and you could be lining up on the 30 car Grand Final grid, taking your shot at writing your name on the Neil Shanahan Trophy. Recent finals such as 2021, 2023 and last year have all been modern classics and produce some of the best racing you’ll find all sea-son. So, with that in mind – who are the contenders to watch?…

Last year’s top two, Joshua Smith and Chris Middlehurst, are not set to return at the time of writ-ing, but those who finished third to sixth are all back for more. Luke Cooper scored a popular po-dium in 2024 and has just wrapped up the Castle Combe Formula Ford title, meaning he will cer-tainly be on strong form. Hugh Esterson (brother of 2022 victor Max) did well to claim fourth last year and the young American will be hoping he can go better to try and match his sibling’s achievements. Morgan Quinn has been one of the front runners of this year’s United Formula Ford Championship (and defending champion) and will certainly want the speed to improve on fourth, while two time Festival winner Rory Smith will have a point to prove after a tumultuous 2024 edition. Fifth was the best he could manage, but he’ll have only one goal in mind – Festival win number three.

That said, there’s two more former winners who you would only count out at your peril. Joey Fos-ter put in a storming wet weather drive in last year’s Final to go from 22nd on the grid to fighting for victory, only for a misjudgement to send him spinning and out of the race. With three Festival titles under his belt (two “main” and one Kent Festival), Joey’s as quick as ever and never in doubt to content. And neither is Niall Murray. Having missed out 12 months ago, the Irishman is back to prove why he’s still one of the best Formula Ford drivers of modern times. When he and his Team DOLAN car are working in perfect harmony, Niall can only be described as ominously quick. If that’s the case this time, all of his rivals should start praying…

Who else could be in the mix? Jason Smyth, son of veteran Formula Ford racer Neville, leads the United Formula Ford standings at a canter at the time of writing, with Tom Nippers in second place trying to keep in touch. Both have been blindingly quick throughout the year, and Jason has already won at Brands Hatch this season to claim the Champion of Brands title – a sign of what’s to come? Also, Oldfield Motorsport may be without last year’s winner Smith, but Spencer Shinner will lead their three car assault on the Festival after he impressed many last year and will want to build further.

Jordan Dempsey, a former National Formula Ford champion, is another that can’t resist the lure of the Festival and returns with a B-M Racing Medina Sport, just like Rory Smith, to try and grab his first victory here – with a car like that underneath him, he’s another to watch out for. Two more in-triguing names make an appearance on the entry list, too. Alex Walker, who narrowly missed out on a National title himself, also makes a return courtesy of a Wayne Poole Racing Van Diemen, eager to try to add his name onto the Roll of Hour, while Felix Fisher decides to bring his Castle Combe talents to Kent this year as well. Considering that he and Luke Cooper are essentially perennial rivals in Wiltshire, don’t be surprised to see the pair wheel to wheel again here. And watch out for Callum Baxter, one of last year’s Team Canada Scholarship drivers that’s entering again as part of a three-car Graham Brunton Racing effort.

That’s just a selection of some of the top talents featuring this year, meaning that on paper there’s definitely the potential for 2025 to produce another “modern classic”. Whether its blue skies and late afternoon sunshine, or a repeat of 2024’s wet weather antics, the Grand Final awaits those who can make it all the way.

We musn’t forget that there are in fact two finals taking place at this event. Alongside the main race, there’s also the Historic Final for cars built between 1998 and 1967 to compete for too, with the winner presented with the prestigious Brian Jones Memorial Trophy in honour of the late, great “Voice of Brands Hatch”. Just looking at some of the entries amongst the classic ranks is just as mouthwatering here, too. Top talents like Tom Hawkins (two-time Super Classic Pre’99 class winner), Stephen O’Connor, the evergreen Rick Morris, 2023 winner Richard Higgins, Will Liston, Andy Charsley, Gaius Ghinn, Cam Jackson, Tom Brown, Oliver Roberts and Callum Grant all bidding for victory. All of them will have to try and surpass defending winner Darwin Smith, who will be keen to become the first two-time winner of this race. You can even look out for BRSCC chairman and keen Formula Fordster Peter Daly in this line-up too!

So, find yourself a spot in the grandstand or around the grass banks, settle in and watch some of the best single seater racing you’ll find all season right here this weekend. But while you do, there’s just one question that needs to be answered – who’s your money on to go all the way and write their name on the Neil Shanahan Trophy? Let the battle for the 2025 BRSCC Formula Ford Festival commence…

Scott Woodwiss