While many of the competitors here in California are aware of our efforts, we have been a bit less than organized in getting more information out there sooner. I would therefore like to tell you a bit about us and give you the race reports from our first three weekends.
Who Are We?
The group is called Formula F The Series. Originally called Formula Ford The Series, the group began 12 years ago and ran primarily with vintage sanctioning bodies. As time evolved, a belief developed that Ford and Honda motor cars of various vintages can not only live together but compete with one another. For 2019, the name was changed and The Series moved under the sanction of the SCCA with a North/South California Championship. The Series also allowed any vintage of car and SCCA legal motor to compete. Given that the Honda drivers were already running with Cal Club and the San Francisco region (as was at least one of us Kent powered drivers), the series moved to a 6 race weekend format with half the rounds run with Cal Club and half run with San Francisco Region in the SCCA. Thus far, both organizations have welcomed us with open arms and we could not be happier with our decision to run with them.
While we might like to claim originality in our design, a number of conversations happened with the Right Coast Formula F Series and our rules are very similar as a result. So much so that there is hope that members of each organization might make a long tow at some point in the year to get to run with the other coast (I personally really want to go to Road Atlanta this year... here is hoping my budget holds out).
Rules?
Yes, we have some. Primarily the SCCA GCR governs. However, in order to get older cars out that have difficulty converting to a radial, The Series approach Hoosier about the differences between the radial R60A and the bias ply R60A. As it turns out, they are the same compound and only differ in sidewall construction. Cal Club and San Francisco Region have then helped us with supplemental rules allowing any R60A compound in our run group. Obviously, if you compete with us and want to go after national prestige and the runoffs, you will need to run the radial. Everyone else has a choice and thus far, the competition between the different constructions appears to be reasonably equal.
Finally, we do track our own points for our own Series. At this point, we do not charge anything to be a member of Formula F The Series (and we hope to keep it that way). Simply show up and race with us is all we ask. Points system is a throwback to the days of Can-Am with a 20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 payout.
Where do we hope to go?
My personal goal is to get 20 registered racers at an event this year. In our third round at Thunderhill we had 11 drivers and that was missing 5 drivers that have participated in the first two rounds. I think the goal of 20 is feasible and we will continue to beat the bushes to get the garage queens out with slicks and your choice of motor. While this season is a 6 weekend affair, we are already talking about expanding that to 8 weekends next year.
Schedule for 2019
2/1-2/3 Fontana
3/2-3/3 Willow Springs
5/10-5/12 Thunderhill
7/6-7/7 Sears Point
8/31-9/1 Laguna Seca
9/21-9/22 Buttonwillow
Interested?
If you want to know more about Formula F The Series, please PM me and I will be happy to talk to you about it. We have an email distribution list I can add you to and we are working on a website and facebook page. I will update Apexspeed when these are live.
In the mean time, enjoy the race reports which I will post in the thread separately.
Eric Little
Formula F The Series - Treasurer