At age 47, after 26 years of karting in the Pacific Northwest (with the last 8 years running a 250cc Superkart) I have decided to make the jump to automobile racing. After doing some homework, Formula Vee and Formula Ford seemed to be the most logical choices for me. Both provided the opportunity to step into a car at a reasonable price while continuing to drive on the tracks I am familiar with.
A Lazer L-85 Formula Vee went up for sale near me, and I made an appointment to go and see the car. It was the right price, within a reasonable driving distance with no need to ship the car from the East coast except…
I didn’t fit in the car! Literally I was too large for the for the drivers compartment. My legs wouldn’t fit through the eleven inch opening in the chassis and there was no way that my shoulders were going to fit inside the bodywork.
So, here is my question to the drivers of Formula Vee and Formula Ford cars: Which cars will a 5’ 8” man with a 40 inch waist fit into and still be able to drive the car competitively?
I am planning on going to some races and talk to the drivers, look at their cars and see if I find something I think I can fit into. But in the mean time, I thought I would reach out and get some input from other larger drivers of these cars. Any insight you can provide would be a big help.
Thank you for your time.