If there was ever any reason to doubt the relevance and magic of Formula Ford as a way to start your racing career - did you know that Australia’s most famous household name drivers including: Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup, Russell Ingall, Garth Tander, Steven Richards, Jason Bright, Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters, Anton De Pasqaule and Thomas Randle … have all been crowned Australian Formula Ford National champions.

Many other non championship winners - but competitors - have also achieved International success.

Australian F1 driver Mark Webber started his career in Australian Formula Ford in the 1990s and progressed to become one of the most recongnised drivers in the world - as did another Australian F1 star, Daniel Ricciardo, who started his career in Formula Ford, with appearances at both State and National-level Formula Ford in 2005.

Indy 500 winner and Indycar champion Will Power began in Formula Ford and was Queensland Formula Ford champion before trangressing further.

Porsche factory driver and Le Mans class winner Matt Campbell started his career in Formula Ford in Queensland too.

NASCAR and Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose began his career in Formula Ford. The Ambrose family have a rich history in this formula as Marcos' father Ross Ambrose, along with Ralph Firman Sr, co-founded Formula Ford chassis builder Van Diemen.

Supercar champions Shane Van Gisbergen and Will Brown also started thier careers in Formula Ford as well.

The above does not even scratch the surface of the story of success emanating from Formula Ford, with Bathurst 1000 winners, international careers and journeys beyond the driver's seat for our champions left unsaid.