British Formula Ford Championship
Encyclopedia
The Formula Ford Championship single seater category is a motor sport category which gives many racing drivers their first step into car racing after karting. The British Formula Ford Championship attracts drivers from across the world moving to the United Kingdom
to compete.
There is also a Formula Ford Festival
, usually at Brands Hatch
, where drivers from other Formula Ford categories from all over the world come and compete.
slick tyres. The class is multi-chassis, featuring manufacturers such as Van Diemen
and Mygale
. To help keep costs low, cars are made from steel, as opposed to the more exotic carbon fibre commonly found in higher categories of racing. Several former drivers have become successful in Formula One
, including Ayrton Senna
, Eddie Irvine
, Jenson Button
, and Anthony Davidson
.
* Scholarship Champion
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to compete.
There is also a Formula Ford Festival
Formula Ford Festival
The Formula Ford Festival is an annual meeting of Ford powered single seat racing cars which is held at the end of the British racing season, at the Brands Hatch motor racing circuit in the county of Kent, in Southern England...
, usually at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
, where drivers from other Formula Ford categories from all over the world come and compete.
The car
From 2006, all the cars use the 1600cc DOHC Ford Duratec engine, and AvonCooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a United States based company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of replacementautomobiles and truck tires, and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires...
slick tyres. The class is multi-chassis, featuring manufacturers such as Van Diemen
Van Diemen
Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of...
and Mygale
Mygale
Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours....
. To help keep costs low, cars are made from steel, as opposed to the more exotic carbon fibre commonly found in higher categories of racing. Several former drivers have become successful in Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, including Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver. A three-time Formula One world champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time...
, Eddie Irvine
Eddie Irvine
Edmund "Eddie" Irvine, Jr. is a former racing driver from Northern Ireland. He grew up in Conlig, County Down, and was influenced by his parents, who were also involved in motor racing...
, Jenson Button
Jenson Button
Jenson Alexander Lyons Button MBE is a British Formula One driver currently signed to McLaren. He was the 2009 World Drivers' Champion.Button began karting at the age of eight and achieved early success, before progressing to car racing in the British Formula Ford Championship and the British...
, and Anthony Davidson
Anthony Davidson
Anthony Denis Davidson is a British former Formula One racing driver from England, born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. He has raced for Minardi, Super Aguri and been a test and/or reserve driver for the British American Racing, Honda and Brawn GP teams...
.
Champions
Season | Champion | Constructor | Winter Series Champion |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | David Kennedy Dave Kennedy David Kennedy is a former racing driver from the Republic of Ireland. He was one of his country's first Grand Prix drivers, and is widely seen as having helped pioneer the Irish move into international racing.... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1977 | Trevor van Rooyen | Royale Royale - Transportation :* Bugatti Royale, a luxury automobile* Ford Royale, an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company* MS Royale, a cruise ship operated by several companies* Daewoo Royale, an automobile manufactured by Daewoo Motors... |
|
1978 | Kenneth Acheson Kenny Acheson Kenneth Henry Acheson is a British former racing driver who participated during the 1983 and 1985 Formula One seasons for the RAM team. He completed only one of his three race starts, finishing in 12th position in the 1983 South African Grand Prix... |
Royale Royale - Transportation :* Bugatti Royale, a luxury automobile* Ford Royale, an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company* MS Royale, a cruise ship operated by several companies* Daewoo Royale, an automobile manufactured by Daewoo Motors... |
|
1979 | David Sears David Sears (Motorsport) John David Sears is a former racing driver turned owner of the Super Nova GP2 team. He also managed drivers such as Jan Magnussen, Taki Inoue and Vincenzo Sospiri and is son to Jack.He turned down the chance to buy Simtek at the end of 1994.-Foot notes:... |
Royale Royale - Transportation :* Bugatti Royale, a luxury automobile* Ford Royale, an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company* MS Royale, a cruise ship operated by several companies* Daewoo Royale, an automobile manufactured by Daewoo Motors... |
|
1980 | Tommy Byrne | Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1981 | Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver. A three-time Formula One world champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1982 | Mauricio Gugelmin Mauricio Gugelmin Maurício Gugelmin is a former racing driver from Brazil. He took part in both Formula One and the Champ Car World Series. He participated in 80 Formula One grands prix, debuting in 1988 for the March team. He achieved one top-three finish and scored a total of ten championship points in the series... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1983 | Andrew Gilbert-Scott Andrew Gilbert-Scott Andrew Gilbert-Scott is a former British racing driver.- Early career :He started his racing career in the Formula Ford British championship in 1981. In 1983, he moved to the Lola Formula Ford works team... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1984 | Dave Coyne Dave Coyne Dave Coyne is a British racing driver.Coyne was a rising star in Formula Ford, finishing 5th in the Formula Ford Festival in 1980 at age 22. In 1981 he moved up to the British Formula Three Championship and finished 20th while competing in only three races. He returned to the series in 1982 for... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1985 | Bertrand Gachot Bertrand Gachot Bertrand Gachot is a French-Belgian former racing driver.-Career:Gachot is the son of a French European Commission official. He began karting at the age of 15. In 1983 he attended Winfield School, a well-known racing-driving school in France. After this, he focused on his racing career, competing... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1986 | Jason Eliott | Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1987 | Eddie Irvine Eddie Irvine Edmund "Eddie" Irvine, Jr. is a former racing driver from Northern Ireland. He grew up in Conlig, County Down, and was influenced by his parents, who were also involved in motor racing... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1988 | Derek Higgins Derek Higgins Derek Higgins is an Irish former race car driver.Born in Dublin, was a two time winner of the Mexican Formula 3 championship in 1995 and 1997 before moving to the American Indy Lights series in 1998... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1989 | Bernard Dolan | Reynard Reynard Motorsport Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer. Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, England the company built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Indy... |
|
1990 | Michael Vergers | Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1991 | Marc Goossens Marc Goossens Marc Goossens nicknamed The Goose is a Belgian racecar driver who drove in Formula 3000 from 1994 to 1996 and part-time from 1999 to 2001. In between he drove in endurance races and is a veteran of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 2002 to 2005 he then raced in FIA GT... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
|
1992 | Jamie Spence Jamie Spence (racing driver) Jamie Spence is a British auto racing driver. He was British Formula Ford champion in 1992. He went on to be 1993 British Formula Three national class champion. In 1996 he competed in the final two rounds of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch for Rouse Sport in a Nissan... |
Swift Swift Racing Cars Swift Cooper is a British race car constructor. The company was formed in 1986, when Frank Bradley bought the rights to the Swift name from Swift Engineering, and set up the company at Snetterton race course in Norfolk... |
|
1993 | Russell Ingall Russell Ingall Russell Ingall is an Australian V8 Supercar driver. Ingall won the V8 Supercar Championship for the first time in 2005, he was also the Championship runner up in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Ingall has also won the Bathurst 1000 motor race twice, in 1995 and 1997... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Martin Byford Martin Byford Martin Byford is a British racing driver from Colchester. He is currently competing in the BTCC for AmD Milltek.-Racing career:... |
1994 | Jason Watt Jason Watt Jason Watt is a successful Danish racing driver. Jason enjoyed a fruitful karting career before moving into Formula Ford in 1992... |
Vector | Narain Karthikeyan Narain Karthikeyan Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan , is the first Formula One motor racing driver from India. He has previously competed in A1GP, and the Le Mans Series. He made his Formula One debut in with the Jordan team, and was a WilliamsF1 test driver in and... |
1995 | Bas Leinders Bas Leinders Bas Leinders is a racing driver from Belgium. He was a Formula One test and reserve driver in for the Minardi F1 team, taking part in the Friday practice sessions during Grand Prix weekends, making 17 appearances in all... |
Swift Swift Racing Cars Swift Cooper is a British race car constructor. The company was formed in 1986, when Frank Bradley bought the rights to the Swift name from Swift Engineering, and set up the company at Snetterton race course in Norfolk... |
?? |
1996 | Kristian Kolby Kristian Kolby Kristian Kolby is a Danish racing driver from Ringkobing in Denmark.- Career :He was based in the United Kingdom for many years and was a successful junior single seater racer.... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Richard Lyons Richard Lyons (auto racer) Richard Lyons is a Northern Irish motor racing driver.-Junior Formula:He started in Formula Ford in Britain winning the Winter Series in 1996, before moving to Formula Vauxhall Junior finishing the championship sixth in 1997 and second in 1998. he then moved to Formula Palmer Audi, finishing... |
1997 | Jacky van der Ende Jacky van der Ende Jacky van der Ende is a Dutch racing driver. He won both the British Formula Ford Championship and the Formula Ford Festival in 1997.-External links:* *... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Mark Taylor |
1998 | Jenson Button Jenson Button Jenson Alexander Lyons Button MBE is a British Formula One driver currently signed to McLaren. He was the 2009 World Drivers' Champion.Button began karting at the age of eight and achieved early success, before progressing to car racing in the British Formula Ford Championship and the British... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Ricardo van der Ende Ricardo van der Ende Ricardo van der Ende is a Dutch racing driver. He won the 2001 Formula Chrysler Euroseries season with the Belgian team of Vortex Motorsport. He also won the Winter Series of the British Formula Ford Championship in 1998 and the Formula Ford Festival in 1999. Later on he went karting and became... |
1999 | Nicolas Kiesa Nicolas Kiesa Nicolas Kiesa is a racing driver from Denmark. He participated in five Formula One Grands Prix in the 2003 season... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Anthony Davidson Anthony Davidson Anthony Denis Davidson is a British former Formula One racing driver from England, born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. He has raced for Minardi, Super Aguri and been a test and/or reserve driver for the British American Racing, Honda and Brawn GP teams... |
2000 | James Courtney James Courtney James Courtney is an Australian racing driver who competes in the V8 Supercar Championship. He is the current Australian Touring Car Champion after winning the 2010 title for Dick Johnson Racing.... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Adam Carroll Adam Carroll Adam Carroll is a Northern Irish racing driver. He currently races in the GP2 Series for Super Nova and in Auto GP for Campos Racing, making his debut with pole position at Donington Park... |
2001 | Robert Dahlgren Robert Dahlgren Robert Dahlgren is a Swedish auto racing driver, he currently competes in the Swedish Touring Car Championship for the Polestar Racing Team in a Volvo C30... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Joey Foster Joey Foster Joseph Lyle Foster is a British racing driver. He has competed in such series as Le Mans Series, Australian Formula Ford Championship and the German Formula Three Championship. He won the 2009 Australian Drivers' Championship for Team BRM. Foster also won the Formula Ford Festival in... |
2002 | Westley Barber | Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Alx Danielsson Alx Danielsson Alx [Alexander] Danielsson is a Swedish racing driver and the 2006 champion of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.Danielsson's career started in karting in 1998, where he stayed until 1999 before moving up to Formula Ford... |
2003 | Tom Kimber-Smith Tom Kimber-Smith Tom Kimber-Smith is a British race car driver.He was the 2003 British Formula Ford Champion. He is the son of Geoff Kimber-Smith.-Career summary:-Complete Formula Three Series results:... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Sebastian Hohenthal Sebastian Hohenthal Sebastian Hohenthal is a former racing driver from Sweden.-Karting:Hohenthal competed in kart racing from 1995 to 2000... |
2004 | Valle Mäkelä Valle Mäkelä Valle Mäkelä is a Finnish motor racing driver.-Career:Mäkelä began his kart racing career at the age of five. In 2000 he became Finnish Champion in the ICA-J class.... |
Van Diemen Van Diemen Van Diemen International, Ltd. is a British race car manufacturer based in Snetterton, Norfolk, England.The company has a reputation for high-volume production runs of its cars, the most well-known of which is its series of Formula Ford chassis, which have been at the forefront of that class of... |
Robert Sunderland |
2005 | Charlie Donnelly | Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Andrew Bentley |
2006 | Nathan Freke Nathan Freke Nathan Freke was the 2006 British Formula Ford Champion. Nathan has held four British Kart Racing Championship Titles and in 2005 became the only driver ever to win an FIA/CIK Superkart Race in a Division 2 Kart against Division 1 Karts, .-2006:British Formula Ford Champion... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
David Mayes |
2007 | Callum MacLeod Callum MacLeod Callum MacLeod is a professional British race car driver who drove in the 2009 and 2010 European F3 Open Championship seasons, and currently drives in the 2011 GP3 Series season.-Racing career highlights:... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Matt Dobson * |
2008 | Wayne Boyd Wayne Boyd Wayne Boyd is a British racing driver from County Antrim, Northern Ireland.Boyd won the British Formula Ford Championship in 2008 with Jamun Racing and later won the Formula Ford Festival Duratec class the same year. In 2009 he raced full-time in the British Formula Three Championship for T-Sport... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Chrissy Palmer * |
2009 2009 British Formula Ford season The 2009 British Formula Ford season was the 34th season of the British Formula Ford Championship. It began on April 13 at Oulton Park's Easter Monday meeting and ended on October 4 at Castle Combe Circuit after 9 rounds and 25 races, all held in the United Kingdom... |
James Cole James Cole (racing driver) James Cole is a British racing driver from Southport, Merseyside.-Formula Ford:Cole began his racing career in 2007, taking part in BRSCC North West Formula Ford. He won this regional championship, and in 2008 moved to the main British Formula Ford Championship. He finished tenth... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Daniel Cammish * |
2010 2010 British Formula Ford season The 2010 British Formula Ford season was the 35th season of the British Formula Ford Championship. It commenced on 5 April at Oulton Park's Easter Monday meeting and ended on 26 September at Brands Hatch after 10 rounds and 25 races, held in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.Jamun Racing... |
Scott Pye Scott Pye Scott Robert Pye is an Australian racing driver. He won the 2010 British Formula Ford Championship.-Australia:... |
Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Tristan Mingay * |
2011 2011 British Formula Ford season The 2011 British Formula Ford season is the 36th season of the British Formula Ford Championship. It commenced on 9 April at the Silverstone National Circuit and end on 9 October at Silverstone Arena Circuit after 8 rounds and 24 races, held in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.-Drivers and... |
Scott Malvern | Mygale Mygale Mygale is a French racing car constructor and contractor that specialises in the production of single seater chassis for use in formula racing. The company was established in 1989 by Bertrand Decoster and its factory is based in Magny Cours.... |
Cavan Corcoran * |