News
DRIVERS & TROPHY CONFIRMED FOR HISTORIC FORMULA FORD
A healthy field and a trophy commemorating the efforts of a long-time Formula Ford supporter have been finalised for the Factory Enterprises Historic Formula Ford races at the famous Mount Panorama circuit at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, 30 March-1 April. The 32 participants in the weekend’s three races will compete for the inaugural Margaret Hardy Perpetual Trophy, created to celebrate the selfless dedication to Formula Ford from former national series category manager Margaret Hardy over many years.It will be the first time Historic Formula Ford, now into its 49th season in Australia, has raced at Bathurst on its own, and this year’s race meeting is a celebration of the hard work of the Historic Formula Ford Australia Inc. which promotes three classes: Fa (pre-1978), Fb (1978-’83) and Fc (1984-’89). Among the field are an assortment of well-known drivers; at the more senior end of the spectrum are Richard Davison (son of Lex, father of Will and Alex) and former Formula 1 engineer Malcolm Oastler, who will race the Reynard he designed in the 1980s. At the younger end of the scale, 2015 Australian Formula Ford 1600 Champion Cameron Walters and former Supercars Development Series and Formula 3 racer Tom Tweedie will be among the front-runners, along with Tim Berryman and Andrew McInnes. Several drivers are travelling from overseas to participate in the event, including New Zealanders Wayne Colville, Stephen Heffernan and Henry Thomas-Kircher, along with British drivers James Harvey (McLaren engineer) and Oliver White, who will race for the Davison’s Team Ecurie Australie outfit. Series organisers also confirmed a rich pool of sponsors for the event, highlighted by naming-rights sponsor Factory Enterprises, owned by the long-time Formula Ford supporting Mulhearn family. Also supporting the event with a mixture of financial contributions, product and competitor prizes will be:Avon TyresFerodo BrakesAVO AustraliaGreig and Greig Design and ConstructionElliott and CoCar Search 2000Beanbagshop.com.auHSRCA (Historic Sports and Racing Car Association)Shiners Car Wash SystemsDavies Craig Auto CoolingStand 21 Racing ApparelLynx Corporation – automotive aftermarket productsUnifilter – air filtersFactory Enterprises Historic Formula Ford – Entry List2. Andrew McInnes – Mitch Dowd Van Diemen RF893. Tom Tweedie – Van Diemen RF864. John Greig – Ecurie Australie Reynard FF826. Richard Davison – Ecurie Australie Van Diemen RF897. Cameron Walters – Walters Racing Van Diemen RF868. Scott Blake – Beanbagshop.com.au Reynard 19849. Sean Sorensen – Van Diemen RF8610. Wayne Colville – Walters Racing Elwyn 003/111. Stephen Heffernan – Walters Racing Elwyn 003/512. Geoff Walters – Walters Racing Van Diemen RF8914. Steve Willing – Redstar Motorsport Swift FB8916. David Grant – Reynard 198817. Tim Berryman – Van Diemen RF8918. Lyndon Arnel – Lola T44022. Norm Vesty – Wholesale Suspension Zink Z1023. Claire Greig – Ecurie Australie Reynard FF8424. Todd Willing – JSAS Car to be confirmed27. Garry Watson – Midcoast Windows Mawer32. Jacob Bonisch – Ecurie Crossle Crossle 32F33. Keith Uebel – Van Diemen VD8238. Andrew Nethercote – Norwood Car Care Reynard 87F42. John Dean – Cooldrive Van Diemen RF8851. Shane Nichols – Motorsport Connections Van Diemen RF8757. James Harvey – Ecurie Australie Van Diemen RF8866. Malcolm Oastler – Ecurie Australie Reynard FF8875. William Vesty – Zink Z1080. Ewan Geals – Scuderia Lillico Lola T64486. Jeremy Shelton – Van Diemen RF8687. Peter Grant – Reynard88. John Pymble – Reynard101. Henry Thomas-Kircher – Ray 87177. Oliver White – Ecurie Australie Reynard FF88Factory Enterprises Historic Formula Ford – Event ScheduleFriday, 30 March10:35 – Practice (20 min)15:40 – Qualifying (20 min)Saturday, 31 March10:50 – Race 1 (6 laps)15:40 – Race 2 (6 laps)Sunday, 1 April7:55 – Race 3 (6 laps)