Formula Ford: About Pembrey
Filed under: Formula Ford on May 12, 2009
Shortly after the last National Formula Ford round at Snetterton, we took the decision to withdraw our entry to the next round at Pembrey which takes place this weekend (16-17 May).
Our rationale for doing so is this. As it stands, I do not think we have a car to win a National round under normal circumstances. I think we are about at the point where we are probably capable of consistently challenging for podiums (even if our weekend at Snetterton did not suggest so).
Pembrey is an incredibly long distance for me to travel and distance equals expense. I would surmise that for me to include travel, accommodation, testing, entry fees, tyres and other running costs, it would cost something in the region of £1700 for the weekend. To spend this amount of money when I do not believe I can win (yet) does not seem sensible.
Instead, we will concentrate on the next round of the Midland South Formula Ford championship at Donington Park (June 7th) and continue to concentrate on the development of our car. We have two or three more changes to try and I am confident they will yield a further reduction in lap time.
What’s more, it would seem I am not alone. As it stands there are currently five cars entered for the weekend (yes, five). That leaves the two Cliff Dempsey cars, Rory Butcher and David Grady plus one other. Personally, even if I could afford to compete this weekend, I would probably withdraw my entry because I have no intention of ever racing in a field with four other cars. I would even argue that this brings serious questions about the validity of the championship and I hope that those in charge question the reason for this. After all, I called it first, way back in Janurary.
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DM
May 12th, 2009
Martin,
We also withdrew our entry today when we found out the low number of entries entered. When I first rang the BRSCC they were adamant that the meeting would run but later conceeded and cancelled the rounds. Subsequently I have been in touch with Drew at BRSCC again and we are now endeavouring to have the Midlands South rounds at Brands Hatch on 14/15 Aug also designated as Webcon National rounds as areplacement. Apparently this requires the approval of the MSA.But I think this would be good for everyone especially as the FFF is less than 2 months later.
The main problem as I see it is that Pembrey is a “stand alone round” in that it doesn’t overlay either the Midlands South or NWFF1600 championship which is the same situation with later rounds at Castle Combe (Summer Carnival), Larkhall (Speedfair)& Mondello Park (Leinster Trophy.Hopefully as those meetings have other attractions the grids will be better.
But as you have alluded to previously and especially in the current economic climate this does call into question the suitability of a “far flung” national series and especially with the likes of James Beckett trying to revive the once very popular Champion Of Brands & Star of Mallory championships perhaps the best way forward for FF1600 is for stronger regional series? Just look at the success of Castle Combe which is bucking trends and achieving large grids??
Just a thought but is the Midlands South round at Donington definately going ahead?
Martin Galpin
May 13th, 2009
Hi Dominic
That is good news. I thought they ultimately would cancel the round with those numbers but I am pleased that you also did not want to race with so few other competitors. Brands Hatch would be the obvious replacement and in any case, a national championship without Brands Hatch never made much sense to me anyway!
I think you are probably right – strong regional series seem essential to amass the participation needed to create a strong National championship. Of course, I am too young to remember, but wasn’t this always the case?
To the best of my knowledge, Donington Park is still going ahead: http://clubformulaford.info/news.html
But give it four weeks and who knows…
Flavio Galtieri
May 13th, 2009
Martin,
It’s not necessary to have strong regional championships to have a strong national series, witness Formula Vee. In fact there it’s the reverse. There is nowhere else to race!
FFord Kent racers have always liked their “local” circuits that’s all……they can be very parochial.
I think it’s an organisational thing – as DM says- “stand alone” rounds just don’t work. The Irish would have left today! Hope they cancelled their hotels….
I think Donny wil be OK because loads of people love the track and it’s not that far from Oulton although it’s an MS round…Should be both MS and NW imho. However all these things are far easier to criticise than to organise
Looking ahead: will the Thruxton Ian Taylor Trophy impact the Silverstone National round? You don’t get many chances to race at Thruxton…..
DM
May 13th, 2009
Didn’t realise there was a clash between Ian Taylor Trophy and Silverstone National round. That’s a pity! Hopefully as Silverstone has both NW & MS rounds that weekend it will be reasonably well supported but it’s a shame to miss out on Thruxton. I wonder if some of the Combe boys may be tempted? Getting back to strong regional series. I think all of us O.F.’s can wax lyrical about back in the day you needed 2 heats and a final to sort the men out from the boys at most Champion of Brands rounds and the Festival had needed 8 heats, four quarter finals, 2 semi’s and a final to sort everything out and some quality drivers often didn’t get through! But those days are all sadly gone never to return. While there were always works teams, even in FF1600, I would say everything was slightly less professional, less commercial, less of a business and in relative terms cheaper because we didn’t all take it quite so seriously “what replace those tyres; heaven forbid you can’t see any canvas yet!” And Snetterton & Brands were real circuits for real men with proper corners & fast straights (Norwich Straight & Riches)………….ah happy days……..;-)
Flavio Galtieri
May 13th, 2009
I really must get rid of those OF rose tinted glasses….agree with all of the above. As far as I can tell Thruxton hasn’t changed at all except they’ve resurfaced (still very abrasive) and smoothed out the bump on the apex at Church. Heaven knows what a modern FF1600 would do round there today, close to a ton average I guess!
DM
May 14th, 2009
Oh blimey! Scott was going through suspension parts at Snet because he was mullering the kerbs! Dread to think what the replacement parts bill would be like for Thruxton then!! Maybe I should try and get him into fishing……..
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