What is a Formula First?

[Parapapa]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a Formula First? Who sanctions Formula First races?

Thanks!

[problemchild]

http://www.formula-first.org/

It is a SCCA Regional class. There are other FST races run at non-SCCA events in Louisianna, Phoenix, and in Canada.

The concept was developed from "down under" where FV evolved into a 1600 class with rules very similiar to the SCCA FST rules.

There are pics of a variety of cars at this post:
http://first.formulavee.org/exchange....php?f=2&t=684

[dc]

Maybe Bill will be around today to explain the subtle differences from a Formula Vee. I'm sure this won't be the only time it gets asked, and the class would benefit from people knowing exactly what it is. The FST site, itself, doesn't give a very clear explanation of the distinguishing features of the new class.

[Bill Bonow]

Doug,

I'm always lurking around here somewhere

FST (Formula First) has been in development since the June Sprints of 2001 and just was passed by the SCCA BOD as a nation-wide Regional class starting 1-1-09. In those development years, FST has accounted for better than 400 regional race entries (in FS and FST) in 7 SCCA Divisions.

FST is simply put, an FV with newer ('66 to '03) VW air cooled beetle parts. The major reasons for doing this are:
#1 parts cost and availability
#2 esthetics upgrade (make FV look more like FF) to bring in NEW people
#3 make FV conversions simple and competitive (there are loads of FV garage queens just sitting idle).

The class is very simililar to FV other than these major differences:
#1 1600cc (~85 hp) engine with minimal mods and a restrictor plate
#2 single gearbox (1.26 third longbox from FV)
#3 Spec tires (hardest compound available) to give us competitive seasonal tires (yep, I'm going to the ARRC with the same tires I've ran all year)
#4 increased wheelbase and min weight (1125 lbs) to allow for bigger drivers
#5 spec disc brakes all around (two seasons on a set of front pads - $15 to replace them)
#6 free steering allowing racks to replace VW steering boxes

Parapapa,

There is a FV manufacture in Maryland that is (or he should be) finishing up an FST prototype for the '09 season. Ed Womer has a new car called the EF-1.Construction thread link: http://first.formulavee.org/exchange....php?f=5&t=299

Here is a link to a video thread that will give you some idea about car performance: http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/show...362#post190362

I hope this answers some questions, be happy to answer more. Sometimes your so close to a project that your sure everyone knows all about it.