For the good of FF racing as a whole
Few will dispute the fact that having two racing organizations hold events on the same weekend is not good for our sport; it divides members, and thereby Formula Ford camaraderie. No one can deny that it is best for the sport as a whole to have a good attendance for all classes by not splitting the field. No one enjoys racing with just five cars on the track. It’s a lot more fun with 25 – 30 cars vying for positions throughout the field.
Our primary interest lies with Formula Fords. We recognized that the Pacific Formula 2000 model was a great idea and highly successful, and have worked diligently to form Formula Ford “The Series” for the benefit of our class and our cars. We currently have 32 members in our group, but it’s a win / win situation for all Formula Ford fans as well as car owners and drivers.
We intentionally started small, as some FF drivers indicated they only want to race four or five events a year. Settling upon five weekend events (two actual races each event) to avoid knocking anyone out of a chance for a championship, we determined that the best seven out of ten race events should be counted for overall season points.
We did our best to stay local and to avoid scheduling conflicts with other clubs, while taking advantage of some of the best venues offered. We posted our schedule first in October 2006, consider ourselves lucky as there was only one conflict for 2007!
We believe it does not benefit Formula Ford racing in Southern California for anyone to be made to feel as though they need to choose sides, or run with only one organization. “The Series” is a proven success and an entity of it’s own. We are only interested in doing what is best for Formula Ford Racing, without bias or agenda.
We’d like all Formula Ford drivers to race with us on the weekends when there are no conflicts. It has never been our intent to cause friction between racing organizations. Our sole goal has been to build interest in Formula Ford racing and return it to the glory era of the late 70’s and 80’s. We are well on our way towards that goal, and, that can’t hurt the resale value of Formula Fords, which has declined recently.
Our Proposal: We wish to invite all Formula Ford owners and drivers to join us for “The Series” California Speedway event on June 22, 23, 24, a spectator event which should yield some very exciting open-wheel racing. No one is required to join as a member. Just come out and race & see for yourself what we are all about. Our bet is, you will want to race with our members in the future. You already know many of our drivers and they are the top drivers in Southern California. They would love to have your competition.
Help us to recreate the excitement of the 70’s & 80’s when Formula Ford ruled.
Contact Richard Holladay: CabsbyRH@aol.com
just want to see politic free, good, safe, racing
Daryl,
I too am just an outsider looking in, and NOT a member of HSR-West nor VARA.
Let me point out that it is not RICHARD Holladay, organizer of "The Series" that made this post. I am JEFF Holladay, and am not an active part of "The Series", nor do I have any interest therein.
I simply copied what I thought was a pretty good letter on to this forum, because I really wish to witness a 30-car-plus Formula Ford race by the end of this season. It's been since I was a kid at Riverside, that I've seen anything close to that. That I suppose is MY hidden agenda.
I believe I can answer your question though, and explain why all races this first year are with one organization, this series was put together in only 90 days, and the schedule offered was simply the best fit given the short period of time in which things came together. Also, the top racers in Southern California FF racing are driving in vintage, and few posses SCCA licenses. So SCCA wasn't an option, which brought it down to VARA and HSR-WEST.
A little over a year ago there was an incident in a VARA race involving one of Richard's drivers, which ultimately resulted in his driver being banned from participation in VARA. As a practical matter, in the 90 days it took for this thing to come together, there just wasn't enough time for the appeals process to take place, and so this first year of "The Series" has been scheduled with HSR-West. It really has nothing to do with politics or agendas, but simply a practical matter ... just the way things turned out.
It is my PERSONAL belief as I have heard it stated myself at the track, that VARA does not care for drivers coming from CalClub / SCCA background. I don't necessarily agree that there's anything wrong with drivers trained by SCCA, and think they might be lumping us in to a group as a result of a few bad apples.
Offered as proof, I would hold up my VARA racing record, and overall racing record of safety against anyone's. I was trained at a CalClub school, and have raced most of my races in CalClub. The only time I have EVER had contact at speed was with a man who was having trouble with his vision that day, and later stated he shouldn't have been racing that event. I took my suspension like a man, didn't make a big deal out of it, and later returned to race successfully and safely with VARA. That's just how I believe things should be done.
I hope to make it clear that I have no agenda. I believe all racing organizations have their good points AND their bad points. I'm not a fan or detractor of any particular racing organization. (except I don't care much for Tony George's IRL)
I am not aware that I have any enemies in VARA, HSR-WEST, or in SCCA. At lease I hope I don't. I've tried to be a very good citizen in all forums.
I have been a member of VARA in the past, but am not racing at present. I attend many VARA events as a spectator, and often end up working on drivers' cars. Since VARA doesn't require membership to do this, the only organization I belong to is CalClub because I work on cars at some of their events, and SCCA does require membership and a Crew Credential. But I do not race presently for financial reasons.
I have no good or bad feelings about VARA, and I witnessed the event in which Richard's driver was banned from VARA for life. I choose NOT to take sides, as I am not an expert, I know there are 2 sides to every story, and I feel both sides made some good points. Ultimately, VARA made their ruling, and I am not aware that Richard Holladay or his driver did anything but ask it be reconsidered. I don't think they even filed an appeal. I think that's a good sportsmanlike response.
I hope that answers your question; sorry it wasn't more brief. I know there has been some rumors back and forth on the topic of Richard's series, and can only I hope all who read this will do their own research, and will arrive at their own conclusions, just as I have done. I don't agree with 100% of what ANY individual tells me, but prefer to arrive at my own conclusion.
As for my bias, I haven't one. I'm not a fan of the men driving Richard's cars, and that's no secret. But I don't want to see the beautiful automobiles damaged, and I pray for the safety of all the drivers and crew at race events.
If I've any bias I guess it would be in favor of politic free, good, safe Formula Ford racing in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
My best to ALL who race,
-- Jeff
Formula Ford "The Series"
In the interest of simplicity and a smooth running operation, the decision was made to stay with one sanctioning body for the first season. Richard Holladay Organizer.
moving on sounds good to me
Living 35 minutes from Willow Springs, in Bear Valley Springs (the mountains west of Tehachapi) I'm looking forward to this weekend's "The Series" event.
Only an hour and 20 minutes from Buttonwillow, I REALLY am looking forward to the British Extravaganza, one of my all time favorite events.
I hope and pray EVERYONE will race safe, AND they'll remain safe before and after these events, as people often get hurt worse AFTER racing is over for the day. No one enjoys being awakened by Life Flight to find people have hurt themselves doing things they shouldn't.
Let's all be SAFE, and enjoy the best sport in the world, in the most responsible manner.
'Nuff said.
Only my best to all,
-- Jeff
Formula Ford "The Series"
Future schedule of events for Formula Ford "The Series" 2007
June 22, 23, 24 California Speedway
October 6 - 7 Willow Springs International Raceway
December 1, 2 Phoenix International Raceway
Saturday Practice, Qualifying, Race
Sunday Warmup Qualifying, Race
ALL GENERATIONS OF FORMULA FORDS ARE INVITED!!! Our goal is to return Formula Ford to it's Heyday of the 70's and 80"s. We are making great progress!
Additional events sanctioned by HSR-West
April 21 -22 North South Challenge at Thunderhill Park
August 1 - 4 HSR-West & HSR-East at Miller Motorsports Park, Salt Lake City Utah.
Anyone seeking information regarding Formula Ford "The Series" may contact Richard Holladay (760) 715-1417 or email cabsbyrh@aol.com
Thanks for your interest.
Richard Holladay, Organizer