Scottish Formula Ford Championship

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.[1] Despite variations in the format of the race meetings over the years, the Formula Ford class has remained popular among drivers.[2] Several drivers have progressed to professional racing careers after gaining experience at this entry level.

Scottish Formula Ford Championship
CategorySingle seaters
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugural season1968
Engine suppliersFord

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.[3]

In the early 1980s the races were watched by crowds that were 6000 strong.[4] In 2013 the races have crowds of around 3,000 spectators recorded.[5]

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.[6][7]

Events were initially held at the Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit but this track ceased to be used for regular motor sport events in 1992.[8]

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”.[9] The Rotor-Motive team continued to compete in the championship and were Scotland's only full-time professional racing manufacturer.[10]

Championship format

In 2014 there are two classes - one for current cars and another for older 'Classic' cars built before 31 December 1989.[11] 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.[12][13]

Champions

In 1969 Tom Walkinshaw won the championship in a Hawke DL2.[14] then moved on to race in Formula 3.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17] Haggerty had enjoyed the support of the retired racing driver Dario Franchitti.[18][19]

List of Champions:

SeasonChampionConstructorClassic CarNewcomer's cup
2014Ciaran HaggertyIvor MairsAdam Mackay
2013Stuart Thorburn[20]Ivor MairsCiaran Haggerty
2012Ross McEwanJordan Gronkowski[5]
2011Kenneth Thirlwall[21]
2010Craig Brunton[22]
2009Rory Butcher[23]
2008Graham CarrollVan Diemen RF90[24]
2005Joe Tanner
2003Jonathan Adam[25]
1998Stewart RodenStuart Robertson
1997Stewart Roden
1996Jim Forsyth
1995Ricki Steedman[26]
1986Cameron Binnie[27]Van Diemen[28]
1985Cameron Binnie[29]
1983Tom Brown[30]Van Diemen[31]
1982Vic Covey[32]
1981Vic Covey[32]
1980Tom Brown[33]
1969Tom Walkinshaw[34]Hawke DL2[14]
1968Dave Walker

References
  1. Hunston, Hugh (26 July 1985). "Ecosse raises home hopes". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  2. Finlay, Ross (16 January 1998). "The chequered-flag club action focuses on Knockhill". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  3. "Scots descend on Knockhill". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 21 August 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. Hunston, Hugh (12 August 1983). "Hourie has high hopes". The Glasgow Herald. p. 22. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. "Gronkowski makes swift start to Scottish season". Banffshire Journal. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  6. "One for the Future: Sarah Playfair, 19-year-old racing driver". The Sunday Times. News UK. 20 June 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2015.(subscription required)
  7. "Jonathan's first chequered flag drives his ambitions". Fife Today. Johnston Press. 21 August 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  8. "RHC racetrack - 50 years in pole position" (Press release). Royal Highland Centre. 8 December 2014. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  9. Hunston, Hugh (10 May 1985). "Lure of TV makes life busy for Tom". The Glasgow Herald. p. 26. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  10. "Champion forced out of big race". The Glasgow Herald. 25 September 1987. p. 34. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  11. "Formula Ford 1600 Championship: Championship details". Scottish Motor Racing Club. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  12. "Podium spots put Jordan in the lead". Banffshire Journal. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  13. "Scottish FF1600 & Fiestas: episode guide". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  14. "Miles wins Fraser Trophy". The Glasgow Herald. 6 October 1969. p. 4. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  15. Tremayne, David (16 December 2010). "Tom Walkinshaw: Motor racing team owner who won the world title with Michael Schumacher and branched out into rugby union". The Independent. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  16. "Rosen relishes 24-hour race with dream team". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 17 June 2005. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  17. https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-2015/98/ciaran-haggerty
  18. Suttie, Heather (4 May 2014). "IndyCar series champion Dario Franchitti returns to Knockhill to cheer on Scotland's newest racing star". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  19. "Scottish Motor Racing Championships return to Fife". The Courier. D. C. Thomson & Co. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  20. Bannerman, Gordon (11 October 2013). "Matthew making his mark". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  21. Miller, Dale (5 July 2013). "Racing driver back on track after funding loss". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  22. "Racer Craig beats diabetes to become Scottish champ". Dunfermline Press. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  23. "Knockhill's Mini race no small challenge for Hobbs". The Courier. D. C. Thomson & Co. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  24. "Scots Ferraris lead the way at Knockhill". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  25. "Knockhill victory". Fife Today. Johnston Press. 6 November 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  26. Finlay, Ross (5 April 1996). "Our own Demon Hill is back in action". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  27. Hunston, Hugh (20 March 1987). "Binnie leads return of the Reivers". The Glasgow Herald. p. 31. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  28. Hunston, Hugh (13 October 1986). "Last-lap victory for cool Binnie". The Glasgow Herald. p. 10. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  29. Hunston, Hugh (4 October 1985). "Final meeting of fine season". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  30. "A Dumfries double still in prospect". The Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1984. p. 24. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  31. Hunston, Hugh (2 May 1983). "Fleming's switch pays off". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  32. Mercer, Iain (3 October 2014). "Caught in the fast lane". Business Quarter. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  33. Hunston, Hugh (4 April 1981). "Strong field in the Herald race". The Glasgow Herald. p. 17. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  34. "Obituary: Tom Walkinshaw, Rugby club owner and former F1 team owner". Kirkintilloch Herald. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
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