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FFCS FALL 2024 NEWSLETTER

 

Another outstanding VRG/Formula Ford Challenge Series 2024 racing season is in the books with a record 96 different drivers taking part in six (6) events at historic tracks, representing 25 different FF manufacturers and averaging 32 cars per event.  Also, 26 drivers new to the FFCS joined the fun this year!

 

Year End Trophy Winners based on points accumulated from the best 3 of 6 events for class winners and 4 of 6 events for the overall winner:

  • Tri Piston trophy (overall points winner) – Andrew Stein (1970 Lola T200 / 1968 Merlyn 11A)

  • Geoff Clarke Trophy (Historic Ford – Stefan Vapaa (1969 Macon MR7)

  • John Webb Trophy (Club Ford) – Stephen Adams (1980 Lola 540)

  • Ralph Firman Trophy (Post Club Ford) – Joe Griffin (1983 Reynard)

  • Master Trophy (70 years of age +) – Gary Rutherford (1981 Van Diemen)

  • Also, the Van Deurbilt Cup (Spirit of Vintage Racing) – Storm Field (1976 Crossle 30/32)

  • And new for 2024, Rookie of the Year – Mike Buttrick (1968 Merlyn 11A)

Congratulations to all!

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2025 SCHEDULE

    VIR (with VDCA)                                March 29 – 30

    Mid Ohio (with FRP)                          April 25 - 27

    Summit Point (with VRG)                   May 15 – 18

    Thompson (with VRG)                       June 20 – 21

    Pitt Race (PVGP)                               July 10 – 13

    Watkins Glen (with VRG)                   Sep 19– 21

 

SURVEY RESULTS

  • 48 responses out of 130 surveys sent or 37%

  • Results indicate great potential for race entries to continue in 2025

        

Survey Responses:

        Event               Proposed Date             Yes                        Maybe                Total

  VIR                       03/29 - 03/30                18                              17                     35

  Summit Point        05/15 - 05/18                28                              16                     44

  Thompson            06/20 - 06/21                21                                6                     27

  PVGP                   07/10 - 07/13                28                               13                    41

  Watkins Glen       09/19 - 09/21                 34                              15                    49

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Survey of potential additional events: 

                Event                           Proposed Date             If FF Only                  If Mixed Group                                                                                       

  Mid-Ohio (w/ FRP)                    04/25 - 0/27                     30                                   13

  Mosport  (w/ VARAC)                06/12 - 06/15                   12                                     8

  Lime Rock (w/ VSCCA)                   TBD                           22                                     6

  Lime Rock Fall Festival              08/30 - 09/01                   17                                     7

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  • It’s clear our customers want FF only run groups.

  • Based on uncertainty in obtaining FF only run group at Lime Rock, the Executive Committee decided Mid-Ohio will be the additional venue for 2025.  Run in conjunction with Formula Race Promotions (FRP) under the Pro SCCA banner, it will offer a race weekend with just open wheel run groups and an optional Friday test day.

  • We also had an offer to join the South New Jersey SCCA at an event at NJ Motorsport Park, but the date conflicts with the PVGP and the offer came too late for the survey.  We will reconsider for 2026.

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NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Ron Beard has been selected by the nominating Committee for re-election to a second three (3) year term.

 

Annual General Meeting

  • Thanks to all drivers, crew and interested parties in attending the meeting at the Watkins Glen event.

 

STATE OF FORMULA FORD RACING IN THE US

The VRG/Formula Ford Challenge Series (FFCS) continued to enjoy another successful season as a premiere Formula Ford series, while some other vintage and non-vintage FF groups and series suffered from a lack of cars.

 

In a world with ever increasing track rental cost, in addition to travel, maintenance and tire costs, the VRG offers reasonable membership/licensing and entry fees with loads of track time and a dedicated run group for Formula Fords.

 

Heading into its 10-year anniversary in 2025, FFCS averaged 32 cars per event in 2024 and continues to uphold its pillars and foundation based on dedicated FF grids, upscale meal night provided to all competitors, crew and officials, award ceremonies, consistent or improved rules and great racing venues.  This has helped continue to attract new drivers to the series and bring cars out of garages and barns.

 

The FFCS Executive Committee and VRG Board thank all drivers for supporting the series, we are proud of what has been accomplished and we look forward to bringing new drivers on board in 2025.  Vintage FF racing with VRG/FFCS is where it’s at!

 

The following summarizes the status of other Formula Ford racing groups and series:

 

Vintage FF Groups:

SVRA – 21 events averaging just under 6 FF cars per event with mixed class races (including tin tops at some events) in 2024 despite high water marks: 23 at Indy, 15 at COTA, 14 at Laguna Seca and 12 at Road America.  The West Coast events faired better averaging almost 10 cars per event.

VDCA – 5 events with 11 cars entered in their stand-alone events, with 27 entering the Wild Hare at VIR, supported by the FFCS.

VSCDA and East/West FF Challenge – 5 events with their last three events in 2024 averaging 28 FF.  With Steve Beeler resurrecting the East/West FF Challenge, they attracted 19 cars at Grattan and 38 cars at Road America.

Crossflow Cup – 5 events at 3 tracks.  West coast race attendance strong again in 2024, with Ethan and Rebecca Shippert handing the reins of the series over to a BOD made of 5 FF racers.

SOVREN – 6 events averaging about 15 cars, many times with mixed open wheel classes.

 

Other FF Groups:

FRP – 7 events averaging 20 cars in 2024 with intense competition among mostly modern cars powered by Hondas.  The FF class continues to enjoy its own run group.

SCCA – 38 Majors events and 97 Divisional events.  Only 13 at the Runoffs with average of less than 4 at Majors (National) race events, racing with mixed classes.  In the NE Division, the six (6) races averaged under 3 FF per event.  Divisionals (Regionals) were also very lightly subscribed (ranging from a few to 10 maximum) by FF entrants, racing with mixed classes.  In 2025, FF and FV are not invited to several high-profile Major events called Hoosier Super Tour events due to the need for run group consolidation.

Euro FF (Pro Auto Sports Events) – Arizona based 9 race series on Toyo street radials.  6 to 8 FF per event.

FRCCA – 6 to 8 cars per event on slick tires.

Right Coast FF Series (RCFFS) – no events in 2024

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