Category Single seaters Inaugural season 1968 | Country United Kingdom Engine suppliers Ford | |
The Scottish Formula Ford Championship is a single seater open-wheel motorsport competition in Scotland. Championship events have been held since 1968, and there is a long pedigree involving 1600cc Ford Kent engined cars. By the mid-80s the FF1600 category was regarded as a mainstay of Scottish motor-racing. Despite variations in the format of the race meetings over the years, the Formula Ford class has remained popular among drivers. Several drivers have progressed to professional racing careers after gaining experience at this entry level.
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Over the years, races have been held at Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit, near Edinburgh and the Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife. The events are organised by the Scottish Motor Racing Club as part of meetings where the programme features a range of categories.
In the early 1980s the races were watched by crowds that were 6000 strong. In 2013 the races have crowds of around 3,000 spectators recorded.
History
Since the championship was established in the 1960s, many competitors have had their performance at these events noticed, and gone on to race in higher level competitions, including Formula one. The championship has allowed competitors to be tested at faster speeds than karting, with vehicles able to reach a top-speed of 140 mph, compared to the kart’s 80 mph.
Events were initially held at the Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit but this track ceased to be used for regular motor sport events in 1992.
Popular chassis for these events have included those manufactured by Crosslé and Van Diemen.
In 1985 the championship saw the debut of Scotland’s first home-built racing car, the “Rotor”. The Rotor-Motive team continued to compete in the championship and were Scotland's only full-time professional racing manufacturer.
Championship format
In 2014 there are two classes - one for current cars and another for older 'Classic' cars built before 31 December 1989. There is also a Newcomers Cup which is open to drivers in their first or second year of open wheel competition.
In 2014 there were 15 rounds of racing. In one of the final rounds of the championship, competitors are also racing for the David Leslie Trophy named in memory of Scottish BTCC driver. The Angel Burgueño Trophy is awarded to the driver who completes the fastest lap.
Action from the races has been screened by Sky and Virgin Media channel Motors TV.
Champions
In 1969 Tom Walkinshaw won the championship in a Hawke DL2. then moved on to race in Formula 3.
After winning a few Scottish motocross titles, Stewart Roden then won the Scottish Formula Ford Championship five times. This led to him being offered a place in Eddie Jordan's F3 team in 1988, although he only drove once before being left unable to continue as he had run out of money.
In 2011, Ken Thirlwall, was the first person to win every race of the season, also winning the championship in only his 2nd Formula Ford season.
In 2014, Ciaran Haggerty became Scotland’s youngest ever Formula Ford champion. Haggerty had enjoyed the support of the retired racing driver Dario Franchitti.
List of Champions: