The annual guff and gusto of our little Historic (Vintage?) Formula Ford Series 2017

[dikko]

Historic Formula Ford Race Series. Race dates, Info, contacts, news

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One of the best UK Racing Series in Historic racing and we are pretty busy & friendly too...!

Organised by The Historic Sports Car Club and sponsored in association with Avon Tyres.

Get the latest and a lot more from our website at www.HistoricFF.co.uk cars for sale or wanted, required driving standards, reports and of course our official HFF videos courtesy of Josh Barratt Film Enterprises.

Look in on us, (link above, click 'videos' then 'HFF Videos') we are a busy bunch and can be rather exciting at times....

For 2017 we will continue our 'come one - come all' racing format where we will not have any reserves at some races (dependent on circuit grid numbers). There will be double qualifying sessions where the top half of each will qualify for race 2 and the lower group are in race 1.
Top finishers in race 1 then go into race 2 subject to grid space.

It seemed to work last time and made life interesting and like abilities raced together. Good eh?

provisional dates for Historic Formula Fords 2017.

Saturday 8 April, Donington Park. One of the best Park Circuits you'd ever want for. Airshelta is our sponsor for the day and it will be hot soup all round on them. Thanks Airshelta!

Sat/Sun 20/21 May, Silverstone GP (International Trophy) HFF's have a great time here and without doubt there will be a 55 - car grid - watch this space. Starts with drinks reception in an Art Gallery don'tcha know (courtesy of Speedsport). Practice for The Classic will be in demand.

Sat/Sun 17/18 Jun, Cadwell Park (Wolds Trophy) sponsored by Ledwell Plastics (a terrific company if you are in need of, er, plastic!) HFF Cricket match and if we're lucky, Tea & Scones - oh we are sooo civilised...

Sat/Sun 1/2 Jul, Brands Hatch GP Circuit (Historic Super Prix) BIG meet - 50 years of FF celebrated by great racing and FF celebs galore. Party Sponsors are Worthing Implant Centre (they give us a brilliant smile) and JVM Consultants - if you need a town planned...(!)

Silverstone Classic, revised date of 28-30 July. Our Little band of heroes will be celebrated again at this racefest. There may be a party or two...55 on the grid.....and maybe another 55 reserves? Two races??????

Sat/Sun 5/6 Aug, Croft Nostalgia Weekend HFF X 2 Races, Dinner & Dance 40's style Saturday night We know how to live...and race... on one of the most understated of circuits in the UK. MK 8 Motorsport will badge this one - thanks Derek & James Buckton of Harrogate.

Sat-Mon 26-28 Aug, Oulton Park International (Gold Cup) full circuit. Great crowds, great circuit and wonderful cars off & on track. Grant Motorsport are sponsoring and helping to provide HFF to be one of the best shows there and will suffer for it by paying over-the-odds entry. Odd.

Sat 23 Sep, Snetterton another great Scholarly FF circuit, some don't like where it is but when they get there all is forgiven! And yes you guessed - sponsored by Scholar Engines.

Sat/Sun 21/22 Oct, Silverstone (National circuit) Trophy Finals. 'Rest-Express' Sponsored Event for a 'Polished Performance' erhem... with Prize presentations and champagne-ending Party... or hot soup in the paddock, in between, we race, boy do we race...

Tea, coffees, cakes, biscuits and soups going onto hot roasts will be attempted at most rounds of our programme - all subject to running around like blue-assed flies and with help from anyone we can collar!


(all info as at jan 2017 see further posts for firm dates).
Go to the HSCC website for the full programme of racing with us including F5000's F3's Touring Cars HFF 2000's and more. See link below.



Here's a link for more information on our series if you have an eligible pre 1972 car and want to join us.

link to the membership form.
http://www.hscc.org.uk/images/Member...Form_Blank.pdf . Please complete it and send it to the office.
Annual membership is £150. You will also need to register to a championship (HFF) by using the following form
http://www.hscc.org.uk/resources/Cha...ion%202012.pdf and sending it in together with your membership application.

You can of course have a one day membership for £20 giving you a one-off race at one meeting in the year.
Come and try us out for size...we race WITH friends not AGAINST them.

We will be at The Autosport Show and The RETRO Show - come and have a chat. See us on The HSCC Stand.

Finally the club has a useful website at http://www.hscc.org.uk/ for all forms/info.........and Formula Fordsters have a simple little website at www.HistoricFF.co.uk http://www.historicff.co.uk/

STOP PRESS!!! Historic Formula Ford goes Pop!
The exciting HSCC Historic Formula Ford Series celebrating the Kent-engined
class's 50th year in 2017 announces an association with its 1960's fast
moving counterparts of the music world - the once illegal Radio Caroline!
Originally floating outside the 3-mile limit off the Essex coast and the
starting platform of many to become famous Pop Stars is now broadcasting
globally and still afloat off the Thames. The connection is very similar to
the everlasting popularity - and start of many Grand Prix Drivers careers -
of this great 1600 cc Formula. The Avon Tyre supported HFF Series organisers are hoping to attract a Headline sponsor for the 50th year with Radio Caroline's help supplying their support with promotion and regular news of the series.
Prospective Sponsors are welcome to
contact them on their website.

ALSO!!! We are looking to finance a couple of people to look after our hospitality side of things and may have a budget to pay for costs for a few rounds. Contact us if you would like to be involved on our social side.

[dikko]

Wanted Advert!!!! Join our 'Social Club'!


Wanted for the hscc historic formula ford race series in 2017, two active people to assist with paddock hospitality facility at approximately eight of the high prestige race clubs events. Paid accommodation and travelling expenses with financial additions in return for setting up and running our 'comfort zone'. Contact dick on 01920 871153.

[dikko]

We've had up's and downs with points in championships, the Over50's are one point away from each other, the Boys one may be sorted out at our Oulton Park event - gonna be exciting - and we've had silly parties, cricket matches and some GREAT Racing. SEE OUR NEWSLETTERS FOR SILLY PHOTO'S. Dikko.


By the way WE HAVE SOME REALLY GREAT RACE VIDEO'S ON OUR WEBSITE.

[dikko]

Here's our end of term news and date's for 2018. Hope you can join us on the grid, in the paddock or, at least, give us a wave at the end of a race..!

Racing News; first from the Historic Sports Car Club and then our little branch of the Historic FF’s.



HSCC unveils 2018 race calendar

The Historic Sports Car Club’s 2018 race programme will be capped by major summer events on the Brands Hatch and Silverstone Grand Prix circuits.

The Club’s nine-event championship schedule starts in April with an extended two-day meeting at Donington Park and concludes with the two-day Finals Meeting at Silverstone in October. The calendar was revealed to members and guests during a record attendance at the Club’s annual awards dinner on Saturday (18 November) at Whittlebury Hall.
The Club celebrated the winners and champions from the 2017 season on Saturday night (18 November).
Over 260 members and their guests were on hand to applaud the winners from the racing season, with former Le Mans winner and Formula 1 racer Jackie Oliver as guest of honour for the evening.
Special awards on the night included the Lola Trophy for the ‘Clubman of the Year’, which was presented to Andrew Mansell for his work in master-minding the Formula Ford 50th anniversary season celebrations around the HSCC’s Historic FF1600 Championship. A special award was given to Donna Skipworth-Michell for her role in organising the highly successful event.


“Donington Park is a great way to start the season and we’re delighted to have a two-day meeting there in April,” said Chief Executive Officer Grahame White. “We are very pleased to continue to hold race meetings on the other big three UK tracks of Silverstone Grand Prix, Brands Hatch Grand Prix and Oulton Park International.”

In a change from recent seasons, the Silverstone International Trophy meeting and the Cadwell Park Wolds Trophy meetings will swop dates, with the Cadwell Park meeting moving forward to May and the International Trophy moving back to June. A return to the Brands Hatch Indy circuit will feature during a two-day meeting at the Kent track in September.

The provisional HSCC calendar is:
7/8 April, Donington Park
21 April, Snetterton (200 circuit)
19/20 May, Cadwell Park (Wolds Trophy)
16/17 June, Silverstone International Trophy (GP Circuit)
30 June/1 July, Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix (GP Circuit)
4/5 August, Croft Nostalgia Weekend
25-27 August, Oulton Park Gold Cup (International Circuit)
22/23 September, Brands Indy
20/21 October, Silverstone Championship Finals


• 2018 shows
• Historic Motorsport Show: Excel – London Docklands 15-18 Feb HFF on stand – helpers needed
• Race Retro show 23-25 February Stoneleigh. HFF on the HSCC stand - helpers needed
See HSCC site for more info https://hscc.org.uk/news/


In addition to these dates, the HSCC will be the race organising club for several other major events including the Donington Historic Festival (4-6 May), the Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone (3/4 November).



News from the Historic Formula Ford Series……………………………………………………………………….
As you see HSCC dates are above but please take note of our particular race dates below.
Our new Series Co-ordinator David Wild will be negotiating at HSCC Board level for suitable race formats and there may be changes, all we have to do at each event is turn up…along with prepare, renew, fix, pay and all the other little things that enable us to get to the grid on time…simple!
We also have an invite to race at Thruxton on June 2/3 for their 50 Anniversary meeting, please add this to your race calendar.
Detailed event programme here. https://hscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploa...ar-2018_v3.pdf
Our 2017 winning bunch had fun at the Silverstone HSCC Dinner & Dance and our very own ‘do’ is coming up on Feb 10th, in the Midlands, we hope to see you there. Also, there are a couple of Racing shows which are always good to meet-up with old and new friends. The Series has collected some attention in 2017 around the hype of 50 years of FF Racing and although our racing has been just as exciting in previous years, this year we came 2nd in Autosport Magazine Top Ten ‘Rivalries’ of the Year which mentions our top runners and Richard Tarling, our Championship Winner, as No 1 Club Driver of the Year. 2nd Place Michael O’Brian is to be congratulated as a chosen McLaren GT Driver going into 2018.
I personally think all those at least up to 15th or so should be applauded, the racing has been tight in previous years but in smaller numbers. This year there has been a ‘coming together of talent’ of so many, so close, but never a ‘coming together’ of cars. Driving has been exemplary and all have raced fair and hard WITH each other rather than AGAINST in the true historic manner. Spectators & marshals have said the same at all the circuits. It should make us all proud to be part of the series.
Dinner & Dance.
If you’re new or an old-timer with us and would like to get to know us better there’s our Dinner and Dance (live band, silly dancing & Prizes, there will be a half-price ‘Bold Engines’ rebuild voucher to be won. etc etc) where we will congratulate our own Top Ten Drivers, here’s what you need to do,
Send a brief email to our racing treasurer Rachel Arnold rachelarnold1974(AT)hotmail.com and let her know you need tickets. She’ll let you know where it is and who to pay or if we have a full grid on the dance floor...

Dining diary 2018.
Other social events being planned in the year may be a ‘Charabanc outing’ for an evening out, at the right budget (we thought no more than £20 a head (if poss) might work); the odd Paddock nosh of Hot Soup in a Basket, Bacon Butties etc on occasions. Not forgetting of course, our regular ‘Tropical Treat’ Party at the 1940’s themed Croft ‘Nostalgia’ Race meeting if Chef/racer ‘Team Dix’ Barbara & Stuart can be persuaded again. Also, there’ll be more than enough of us for ‘Cricket at Cadwell’ along with sacrificial burning of Lincolnshire Sausages and any other excuse to make life in the Paddock more entertaining.

Sponsors Money & Stuff.
A Big Thank-You to Avon Tyres and their suppliers BMTR for their continuing prize support of sets of tyres. We value their contribution. Also, many of us appreciated the 300 cartons of ‘Jimmy’s Iced Coffee’ which were a great extra to each event, especially in hot weather – which most of them were… We are especially grateful too to all our Race Day sponsors.
We have been working hard to get sponsors to help pay for our small facilities (of paddock refreshment tent) and we are fortunate to have the beautifully moustachioed David Alderson’s services for another year. He said “I’ve had a ball this season helping out and I’m so pleased to have received such a warm welcome in the various paddocks”. As well as many other things Ex-rally/racer of 50 years, tours and Race Retro organiser David, lugs our equipment trailer along at each meeting. We still REALLY need YOUR help to build up and knock down our simple catering point at our races, that is, until we have enough in the pot to pay for extra help…one day maybe.
Out-going Series organiser Andrew Mansell has procured returning sponsors for 2018 to help finance this bit of comfort but we need to keep underpinning their support and interest and/or attract new sponsors too. Your help here would be good; please be on the look-out for companies who may benefit with either a brief (race by race) or permanent (headline) association with us.
For instance; The two smaller pop-up tents that we have been using for last year have been on loan from occasional HFF Racer Rob Hedley and his Britcar Association (thanks Rob). For 2018 we need £1000 to replace them with our own (and another two would really help!). Plenty of advertising space there… Get in touch if you know a man…
‘Radio Caroline’ advertising support is still on-line for 2018 too, their 45-second jingles 10 times a day help push our series and our sponsors name to about 4 million people; a symbiotic relationship between our two 1960’s iconic creations.
Our great YouTube film commentator/compiler Josh Barratt is still with us, in between frenetic commentating sessions at Brand Hatch, anyone who wants to be named and see themselves in all their racing glory is reminded to fit an in-car camera. You can order his 2017 compilation now (details below).

Winter Racing Shows;
Those wishing to help man a stand in our name at either of the two Shows at Excel or Stoneleigh or even display a car are welcome. Sam Mitchell is organising this and has a number of folk on his list, those interested should contact him on s.mitchell040(AT)gmail.com for rota and ticket requirements.

Gear Reminder.
Don’t forget; Check your extinguisher/belt/overall and helmet dates for the coming season – those eagle-eyed scrutineers will be raring to do their valuable work – don’t make them happy with any faults!

See you on the grid if not before. Dick Dixon. Team HFF.

The provisional HFF HSCC Plus invite calendar is:

7 April, Donington Park; ‘A’ race format ie this is a single race on both days. 32 cars per grid Q* + race 1
8 April, Donington Park 32 cars per grid race 2

21 April, Snetterton NO RACE HERE!

19 May, Cadwell Park (Wolds Trophy) A & B format for 52 entries max 26 per grid Q* A + B race 1 A & 1 B
20 May, Cadwell Park (Wolds Trophy) 26 grid race 2A & race 2B
Cricket Match (Merlyns V The Rest) + BBQ.

2 June, Thruxton 50 Anniversary Meeting A & B format for 72 entries max 36 per grid Q* A + B race 1 A & 1 B
3 June, Thruxton 50 Anniversary Meeting NO HFF Racing.
We assume there will be a party on Saturday Night laid on as it’s their 50th and, no Sunday race we are free to imbibe!

17 June, Silverstone International Trophy (GP Circuit) ‘A’ race format ie this is a single race on both days. 54 cars per grid Q* + race 1
17 June, Silverstone International Trophy (GP Circuit) 54 cars per grid race 2
This seems a good opportunity to have a Charabanc outing; there are some historic houses nearby.

30 June, Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix (GP Circuit) A & B format for 76 entries max 38 per grid Q* A + B race 1 A & 1 B
1 July, Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix (GP Circuit) 38 grid race 2A & race 2B

4 August, Croft Nostalgia Weekend A & B format for 64 entries max 32 per grid Q* A + B race 1 A & 1 B
5 August, Croft Nostalgia Weekend 32 grid race 2A & race 2B

25 August, Oulton Park Gold Cup (International Circuit) No HFF race
25 August, Oulton Park Gold Cup (International Circuit) No HFF race
27 August, Oulton Park Gold Cup (International Circuit) ‘A’ race format ie this is a single race. 34 cars per grid Q* + race 1

22 September, Brands Indy A & B format for 60 entries max 30 per grid Q* A + B race 1 A & 1 B
23 September, Brands Indy 30 grid race 2A & race 2B

20 October, Silverstone Championship Finals A’ race format ie this is a single race on both days. 36 cars per grid Q* + race 1
21 October, Silverstone Championship Finals 36 grid race 2

*In most cases there is an allowance of 10% additional cars in qualifying
All subject to change and confirmation.

Some house-keeping from 2017….

We thanked all the Marshals for taking care of us in 2017. With 1164 hits they replied; “Thanks to you guys (and gals) reciprocated.
It has been a great season marshalling some clean and close racing. Look forward to 2018.”
Note to all; Don’t forget to give these VIP’s a HFF traditional appreciating thumbs-up/wave/clap (!) after each race please.

From Radio Caroline O50 Trophy organiser Andy Wiggins.

HFF Over 50's 2018 scoring system – change of format.
The vote for the HFF Over 50's 2018 scoring system (as outlined in the mail of 24th October) is now closed. This email asked O50 members to vote on whether we should keep the '2 dropped scores rule' or change this to '4 dropped scores'.
By a margin of 73% to 27% it has been decided to change to '4 dropped scores' for next year. The majority of people's opinions was that this would be fairer as most O50's do not attend all race meetings across the season.
In addition to this, at the AGM is was agreed that the points allocation will mirror that of the main championship, with the top 15 drivers receiving points with 25 points for a win, then 20, 16, 14, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for 15th place.


Post-Finals report from our MSA Technical Support Nigel Jones.

Historic Formula Ford Championship Engine Inspection Report
Competitors Richard Tarling Comp No 53, Michael O’Brian Comp No 94
Inspection carried out 22nd & 23rd November at the premises of Scholar Engines, Blue House Lane Stowmarket Suffolk.IP14 5NH
All relevant paperwork inspected prior to the commencement of the inspection and found to be correct.
Engine seals as detailed in applicable sealing certificate inspected prior to engine strip and found intact. Engines were stripped and the following checks were carried out;
Carburettor Chokes Manifold Condition Rocker Shafts Bore and Stroke Cylinder Capacity Overall Engine Capacity Combustion Chamber Volume Cylinder Head Ports Piston Deck Height Valve Dimensions Cam Profile Cam Lobe Offset Head Gasket Spec Piston Weights Crank Weight Flywheel Weight

The above engines have been inspected and found to comply with the 2017 Formula Ford Kent Technical Regulations version1 published copy issued 1st January 2017.
I understand that the engine of Callum Grant has also been inspected by Mike Harris and also been found to comply with the published regulations.

Therefore, the First, Second and Third placed drivers have all had engines inspected and found to be in compliance with the 2017 Formula Ford Kent Technical Regulations version1 published copy issued 1st January 2017.

Nigel Jones IEng MRAeS AMIMI
Championship Technical Delegate



Historic Formula Ford Series Motor Racing Video 2017 £15 +pp
In 50 years of Formula Ford racing, 2017 has seen the one of the best years in the Historic Formula Ford Championship. With packed grids watch our exciting races to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Throughout the season we’ve had racing of the highest calibre and witnessed spectacular battles throughout the field. Josh Barrett has been around to capture these moments and has put together a compilation of the highlights along with commentary of this great season.
If you would like a record of this terrific season of racing it’s yours for the price of £15.00 + pp
Complete a bank transfer to the following account. The reference should be your surname so we can identify who the money is from
• Account name: Historic Formula Ford
• Account Number: 18008868
• Sort Code: 30-10-49
• IBAN GB96 LOYD 3010 4918 0088 68
Alternatively send a cheque for £15.00 payable to Historic Formula Ford to
Rachel Arnold (HFF)
2 Milton Close
Dukinfield
Cheshire
SK16 5DZ

And don’t forget Charlie Wooding’s photo Album of us at our exciting and silly moments. Order on his website. www.charliewooding.co.uk - t
Professional Photographer | Newport Pagnell Milton Keynes |
www.charliewooding.co.uk
Professional photograph Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire Historic Motor racing Events PR



Classic Formula Ford Series – thought this might be handy for some;
Here is the calendar for 2018. All the events are double headers so there are 14 races in total.

March 24th/25th Silverstone National
May 12th/13th Silverstone GP
June 2nd/3rd Donington GP
August 5th Mallory Park
August 18th Snetterton 200
September 8th/9th Cadwell Park
October 20th/21st Brands Hatch Indy - BRSCC Formula Ford Festival (Looks like another annoying date clash again – Dick).

Euro Races in 2018 from John Slack.

All still in progress and waiting for costs to come back from various clubs.
At the moment 13 races (France 6, Holland 4, Germany 1, Portugal 2), none of which clash with HSCC events and start in March and end in November.
Expect to have all complete by early to mid-January. JS.

And a bit further…
Anyone interested in racing in the US of A here’s another date.

Subject: FF50th @ ROAD AMERICA
Message Body:
Hi. I am organizing the 50th anniversary (on this side of the pond) weekend for Formula Ford at Road America September 18-22, 2019. Please feel welcome to ping me for more details. It would be great to have international participation in what we expect to be a big event.
Steve Beeler
Fenton, Michigan, USA
Lola T-540 HU44
steve_beeler@ymail.com
(734)560-6031

Motorworks Racing Services www.motorworksracing.com
A small advert has come in from Race Prep man Sam Martin (ex-Speedsport) to say he has expanded into a larger workshop and can provide rebuilds and season-long services for customers, contact info@motorworksracing.com or call 07527207259.

PS. There are some crazy HFF drivers who dabble in the strange art of ‘Mud-Pluggin’ – here’s the diary.
2018 dates – Historic sporting trials
3rd Feb 2018: Sywell Supper
4th Feb 2018: KBCC - Sywell Historic Trial, Sywell, near Northampton
24th Mar 2018: Southsea Motor Club – Ron Faulkner Trial, Languish, Petersfield. Hamps
28/29thApr 2018; KBCC - Historic Sporting Trial. Possible Long Compton trial
18th Aug 2018: HSCC Trial at Plashes Farm trial, near Ware Hertfordshire
10th Nov 2018: Stroud trial at Wotton under Edge Glos
8th Dec 2018: KBCC - Monty Peters Trial, West Malling Kent.
29th Dec 2018: 750 Motor Club - Historic Plum Pudding Trial, Buriton Petersfield Hamps


Oh, and another little note of (Swedish) appreciation to our ex-series co-ordinator….
Dear Andrew,
Congratulations and a big thank you for your great leadership of the series. The development during your term has been fantastic which is confirmed in so many ways like continuously expanding grids with more track time, super fun, fair and safe racing acknowledged by the nomination and the excellent spirit among all participating. I am happy and proud to be part of it. You have spent a lot of time and effort and it has paid off greatly for the benefit of all.
I hope you will have a great upcoming race season.
See you there and then,
Roland Svensson HFF racer.

And so say all of us. Dick Dixon Team HFF .


Historic Formula Ford Over50 Championship in Association with Avon Tyres
Supported by

Radio Caroline.

[dikko]

oops double post..