Scottish Formula Ford Championship Explained

Scottish Formula Ford Championship
Category:Single seaters
Country:United Kingdom
Inaugural:1968
Folded:2014
Engines:Ford

The Scottish Formula Ford Championship is a single seater open-wheel motorsport competition in Scotland. Championship events have been held since 1968, and there is a long pedigree involving 1600cc Ford Kent engined cars. By the mid-80s the FF1600 category was regarded as a mainstay of Scottish motor-racing.[1] Despite variations in the format of the race meetings over the years, the Formula Ford class has remained popular among drivers.[2] Several drivers have progressed to professional racing careers after gaining experience at this entry level.

Over the years, races have been held at Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit, near Edinburgh and the Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife. The events are organised by the Scottish Motor Racing Club as part of meetings where the programme features a range of categories.[3]

In the early 1980s the races were watched by crowds that were 6000 strong.[4] In 2013 the races have crowds of around 3,000 spectators recorded.[5]

History

Since the championship was established in the 1960s, many competitors have had their performance at these events noticed, and gone on to race in higher level competitions, including Formula one. The championship has allowed competitors to be tested at faster speeds than karting, with vehicles able to reach a top-speed of 140 mph, compared to the kart's 80 mph.[6] [7]

Events were initially held at the Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit but this track ceased to be used for regular motor sport events in 1992.[8]

Popular chassis for these events have included those manufactured by Crosslé and Van Diemen.

In 1985 the championship saw the debut of Scotland's first home-built racing car, the "Rotor".[9] The Rotor-Motive team continued to compete in the championship and were Scotland's only full-time professional racing manufacturer.[10]

Championship format

In 2014 there are two classes – one for current cars and another for older 'Classic' cars built before 31 December 1989.[11] There is also a Newcomers Cup which is open to drivers in their first or second year of open wheel competition.

In 2014 there were 15 rounds of racing. In one of the final rounds of the championship, competitors are also racing for the David Leslie Trophy named in memory of Scottish BTCC driver. The Angel Burgueño Trophy is awarded to the driver who completes the fastest lap.

Action from the races has been screened by Sky and Virgin Media channel Motors TV.[12] [13]

Champions

In 1969 Tom Walkinshaw won the championship in a Hawke DL2.[14] then moved on to race in Formula 3.[15]

After winning a few Scottish motocross titles, Stewart Roden then won the Scottish Formula Ford Championship five times. This led to him being offered a place in Eddie Jordan's F3 team in 1988, although he only drove once before being left unable to continue as he had run out of money.[16]

In 2011, Ken Thirlwall, was the first person to win every race of the season, also winning the championship in only his 2nd Formula Ford season.

In 2014, Ciaran Haggerty became Scotland's youngest ever Formula Ford champion.[17] Haggerty had enjoyed the support of the retired racing driver Dario Franchitti.[18] [19]

List of Champions:

Season Champion Constructor Classic Car Newcomer's cup
2014 Ciaran Haggerty Ivor Mairs Adam Mackay
2013 Stuart Thorburn[20] Ivor Mairs Ciaran Haggerty
2012 Ross McEwan Jordan Gronkowski
2011 Kenneth Thirlwall[21]
2010 Craig Brunton[22]
2009 Rory Butcher[23]
2008 Graham Carroll Van Diemen RF90[24]
2005 Joe Tanner
2003 Jonathan Adam[25]
1998 Stewart Roden Stuart Robertson
1997 Stewart Roden
1996 Jim Forsyth
1995 Ricki Steedman[26]
1986 Cameron Binnie[27] Van Diemen[28]
1985 Cameron Binnie[29]
1983 Tom Brown[30] Van Diemen[31]
1982 Vic Covey[32]
1981 Vic Covey
1980 Tom Brown[33]
1969 Tom Walkinshaw[34] Hawke DL2
1968

Notes and References

  1. News: Ecosse raises home hopes . Hugh . Hunston . . 26 July 1985 . 16 February 2015.
  2. News: The chequered-flag club action focuses on Knockhill . Ross . Finlay . The Glasgow Herald . 16 January 1998 . 15 February 2015.
  3. News: Scots descend on Knockhill . . . 21 August 2003 . 15 February 2015.
  4. News: Hourie has high hopes . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 22 . 12 August 1983 . 16 February 2015.
  5. News: Gronkowski makes swift start to Scottish season . Banffshire Journal . 16 April 2013 . 15 February 2015.
  6. News: One for the Future: Sarah Playfair, 19-year-old racing driver . https://web.archive.org/web/20150215195837/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/article110443.ece . dead . 15 February 2015 . . . 20 June 2004. 15 February 2015.
  7. News: Jonathan's first chequered flag drives his ambitions . Fife Today . . 21 August 2003 . 15 February 2015.
  8. RHC racetrack – 50 years in pole position . Royal Highland Centre . 8 December 2014 . 17 February 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150217152839/http://www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk/about-us/motoring-and-track-events-at-the-rhc . 17 February 2015 .
  9. News: Lure of TV makes life busy for Tom . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 26 . 10 May 1985 . 15 February 2015.
  10. News: Champion forced out of big race . 34. The Glasgow Herald . 25 September 1987 . 15 February 2015.
  11. Web site: Formula Ford 1600 Championship: Championship details . Scottish Motor Racing Club . 15 February 2015.
  12. News: Podium spots put Jordan in the lead . Banffshire Journal . 26 June 2014 . 15 February 2015.
  13. Web site: Scottish FF1600 & Fiestas: episode guide. . 16 February 2015.
  14. News: Miles wins Fraser Trophy . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 6 October 1969 . 15 February 2015.
  15. News: Tom Walkinshaw: Motor racing team owner who won the world title with Michael Schumacher and branched out into rugby union . David . Tremayne . . 16 December 2010 . 18 February 2015.
  16. News: Rosen relishes 24-hour race with dream team . The Scotsman . Johnston Press . 17 June 2005 . 6 November 2020.
  17. Web site: Ciaran Haggerty.
  18. News: IndyCar series champion Dario Franchitti returns to Knockhill to cheer on Scotland's newest racing star . Heather . Suttie . Daily Record . 4 May 2014 . 6 November 2020.
  19. News: Scottish Motor Racing Championships return to Fife . . . 14 June 2014 . 6 November 2020.
  20. News: Matthew making his mark . Gordon . Bannerman . . 11 October 2013 . 15 February 2015.
  21. News: Racing driver back on track after funding loss . Dale . Miller . The Scotsman . Johnston Press . 5 July 2013 . 5 January 2022.
  22. News: Racer Craig beats diabetes to become Scottish champ . . 8 October 2010 . 6 November 2020.
  23. News: Knockhill's Mini race no small challenge for Hobbs . The Courier . D. C. Thomson & Co. . 4 May 2010 . 15 February 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150215183014/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/other-sports/knockhill-s-mini-race-no-small-challenge-for-hobbs-1.38824 . 15 February 2015 .
  24. News: Scots Ferraris lead the way at Knockhill . The Scotsman . Johnston Press . 14 April 2008 . 6 November 2020.
  25. News: Knockhill victory . Fife Today . Johnston Press . 6 November 2003 . 15 February 2015.
  26. News: Our own Demon Hill is back in action . Ross . Finlay . The Glasgow Herald . 5 April 1996 . 6 November 2020.
  27. News: Binnie leads return of the Reivers . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 31 . 20 March 1987 . 15 February 2015.
  28. News: Last-lap victory for cool Binnie . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 10 . 13 October 1986 . 16 February 2015.
  29. News: Final meeting of fine season . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 4 October 1985 . 21 February 2015.
  30. News: A Dumfries double still in prospect . The Glasgow Herald . 24 . 27 April 1984 . 15 February 2015.
  31. News: Fleming's switch pays off . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 2 May 1983 . 16 February 2015.
  32. News: Caught in the fast lane . Iain . Mercer . Business Quarter . 3 October 2014 . 16 February 2015.
  33. News: Strong field in the Herald race . Hugh . Hunston . The Glasgow Herald . 17 . 4 April 1981 . 21 February 2015.
  34. News: Obituary: Tom Walkinshaw, Rugby club owner and former F1 team owner . . 13 December 2010 . 15 February 2015.

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