Australian Formula Ford Series commits to Shannons Nationals in 2015
The future of the Australian Formula Ford Series continues to look bright with the Formula Ford Association committing to run the 2015 Australian Formula Ford Series on the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals programme. A six round series will be run with the aim to spread the racing across some of Australia’s best race tracks. The Formula Ford national series shifted to a Shannons Nationals based series in 2014 as part of the Formula Ford Associations efforts to create a more cost effective racing offering. “Not only have we experienced an increase in grid numbers but have been able to provide more value to competitors with an excellent marketing package that the Shannons Nationals programme offers”, said national series coordinator Phil Marrinon. At the halfway mark for the 2014 series the Formula Ford report card has been exceptional. Grid numbers have increased substantially from previous years with Formula Ford consistently providing large grids at Shannons Nationals rounds. Competitor enthusiasm has been high but more surprising is the closeness of racing that is arguably the best seen in Australia this year. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Formula Ford in 2015. Not only have they added a great spectacle to the Shannons Nationals programme but the support from competitors has been strong which gives us the confidence that Formula Ford will remain a significant part of the Australian motor racing scene for many years to come”, said Shannons Nationals Series director Rob Curkpatrick. Both Formula Ford and Formula Ford 1600 cars will continue to race together after the successful reintroduction of the Formula Ford 1600 cars to national level racing in 2014. “We wanted to bed down our 2015 plans early so that prospective competitors can prepare for the upcoming season. 2014 has been a rebuilding year with a lot of work done behind the scenes by the Formula Ford Association to contain racing and administration costs and we are confident that the support we are currently experiencing will continue in the years to come”, said Phil Marrinon. The recent three year alliance with the Road to Indy ladder system, that sees the winner of the Formula Ford series receive a two day test in a USF2000 car and a financial incentive to compete in the USF2000 series, has provided competitors an added bonus and further positions Formula Ford as Australia’s best development series and pathway for the stars of the future. A finalised racing calendar will follow in coming weeks once the 2015 racing landscape is confirmed but this announcement continues to ensure that the future for Formula Ford is strong and will continue to be so for many years to come. Prospective competitors that are interested in racing Formula Ford in 2015 can contact the Formula Ford Association for further information. The Formula Ford National Series returns for Round 4 at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW, October 17 – 19. The 2014 Formula Ford Series is proudly supported by Avon tyres, Andersen Promotions, Castrol, Kincrome and Ferodo.