Martin Galpin | Racing Driver | number66.net

June is an awfully long time ago. For one reason or another I haven’t managed to keep the Festival series going as I had intended. I’m going to play catch up now and bring this back up to date.

I have to admit that after stating it was our intention to contest the Formula Ford Festival, we became preoccupied with the hectic schedule of UK Formula Vee – between June and August we were racing every other weekend. With the season now drawing to a close the focus is gradually moving towards the Festival.

Earlier in the year, I made enquires to try and ascertain how much it would cost to do the event properly. In a competitive car, with an established team, the going rate is roughly £1000+VAT per day. The Festival is a three day meeting, plus at least one day testing is going to cost in the region of £4000+VAT. Add a minimum of one new set of tyres (£400+VAT) and entry fees, I would say that about £5000 would be needed to do it properly.

After Snetterton, we had to switch from our regular GAC team to the established AHS outfit. Our first meeting at Brands Hatch was a distinct success (two pole positions, a 2nd place, a win and fastest lap) but it was in fact, more than that. The switch gave us an introduction to Alan Robinson, who has now become the key to my Formula Ford campaign.

Following Brands Hatch, Alan very kindly offered me the use of his Swift SC94 Formula Ford for the Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy. A rare example of generosity, which if I’m honest, is probably the only reason I will be able to compete.

There are still costs involved. We will use three sets of tyres, many litres of petrol, need an experienced FF engineer and have the usual fixed costs of entry and accommodation. However, not having to worry about a car really is the difference between doing it and not.

I do not think many drivers make their category debut at the Formula Ford Festival. It represents a great challenge and I am enthused by the prospect of making the most of this opportunity. Nobody will be expecting me to win and it would unwise for me to underestimate the competition and think that I will. Any good result there is likely to draw favourable attention and that is my goal.

In my local area I am working on something I call, Donate a Tyre, which I see as a simple way for companies (or individuals) to support me for little cost whilst benefiting from a favourable return in publicity. Check it out: http://number66.net/donate.

I will continue to update further as it develops.

Related posts:

1. Festival Fever: The beginning.
2. Festival Fever: It’s tomorrow
3. Festival Fever: Review
4. Festival Fever: Day One
5. Festival Fever: Looking to Sunday