It has been a long time coming but the 2009 Webcon UK Club Formula Ford National Championship begins this weekend at Anglesey, Wales. The weekend will make use two circuit configurations, Coastal and International on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

This will be my first visit to Anglesey but with a test day on Friday and free practice before both Saturday and Sunday qualifying, I should have plenty of opportunity to get to know the circuit.

My objectives for the weekend are to stay out of trouble and get a solid result – let’s remember that I have not actually finished a race since 2007. It will be a relief to know where we stand with the car, to gauge how competitive we are and how we move forward in the future.

The 2009 season has been a long time coming and it is the culmination of much effort by many people. I have to thank everyone who has got the project this far especially (but not exclusively): my Dad, Neil Paxton, Mark Dunham, Alan Wardropper and Pat Murphy. Of course, continued thanks goes to Alan Robinson for the use of the car.

Related posts:

1. Formula Ford: Anglesey Review
2. Thank You
3. Formula Ford: Silverstone Review

I continue in the AK Plant Hire Swift SC94 which remains a generous donation from Alan Robinson. The car has received an almost complete chassis-up rebuild here at home and thanks must go to Neil Paxton who has given up countless weekends to the project. Finally, the car is being prepared by Mark Dunham who will also oversee the start of the weekend, which begins on Friday.

Friday; effectively 72-hours away and pretty scary considering the car doesn’t have any bodywork fitted yet. Yes, this weekend is going to be somewhat ad-hoc.

If I’m honest, I don’t know what to expect from this weekend. The objective is to gain a benchmark of where we are with the car. If we get a good result in the process, then that is great.

There is still obvious room for improvement within the car. The gearbox desperately needs a rebuild but we couldn’t afford it. The rear end needs dismantling but we ran out of time.

All I can hope for is a trouble free weekend. Considering I wont sit in the car until the test day, if it is not reliable, it is going to be tough. However, this weekend is about the bigger picture – getting the car sorted for later in the year and when I hope to get serious.

Related posts:

1. National Formula Ford 1600 at Cadwell Park: Review
2. Formula Ford: Anglesey Preview
3. Preview: Mallory Park (UK Formula Vee)

In case this season hasn’t had enough controversy, a new episode began when the 750MC felt the need to restate the definition of “pump fuel” in the final instructions. With motorsport under the MSA obviously divided over what should be permitted for use in the future, there can be no question over what is presently legal and what isn’t. I personally welcome the attention on the issue and feel that the MSA themselves should have had a greater presence in mandating fuel testing earlier, especially at club events.

Moving forward, we took the decision to book testing at Silverstone on Friday given the number of components which fell off at Brands Hatch. This now gives us the opportunity to work on a number of small developments for the weekend and properly evaluate setup.

Finally, thanks to the generosity of another driver (who wishes to remain anonymous), I have, for the first time, a spare engine for this weekend and up until the end of the year. For that I am most grateful.

PS. Check Autosport/Motorsport News this week

Related posts:

1. Preview: Next up, Snetterton
2. Formula Ford: Anglesey Preview
3. Preview: 40th Anniversary Formula Vee Festival

Autosport, 26/07

The controversy of Snetterton, sadly, is still not over. Highlighting the unfortunate prevalence of business in motor racing, I have since been disassociated from GAC at race meetings due to the risk I pose to other GAC customers: I may overtake them. And whilst I understand and accept the business rationale behind the decision and hope that my relationship with GAC as a manufacturer and engine builder will continue, I can’t help but think it sadly detracts from the illusion of sport.

AHS made a kind offer to assist me at race meetings until the end of the year and I am looking forward to working with Alan Harding and the rest of his team. For me, therefore, this weekend carries a degree of uncertainty but I have no reservations about building a strong relationship up until the season finale at Snetterton in September.

It all kicks off tomorrow with a busy programme of testing for the day and still a lot of problems to rectify before I can make it out on track. Thanks to the joy of mobile Internet access I’ll do my best to update the site with results as soon as possible.

Related posts:

1. Thank You
2. Festival Fever: Get Your Diary
3. Formula Ford: Anglesey Preview

The races themselves are going to be good. The nature of the circuit means it will be likely if anyone makes a break and it will be slipstreaming throughout. The leading pack should see at least eight drivers, myself, Farmer, Hands, Sam and Jake Oliveira, Buxton, Hughes and Birch with others making the usual guest appearances. I’ll update the progress over the weekend so watch this space…

Related posts:

1. Preview: Castle Combe (UK Formula Vee)
2. Formula Vee: Pole Position, Fastest Lap and 2nd at Silverstone
3. Preview: Mallory Park (UK Formula Vee)