Hi,
The Right Coast Formula F Series has been presented with a unique opportunity to celebrate the 50th , or Golden, Anniversary of Formula F in the United States. We had already been well along in our planning for a 50th celebration as part of the American Road Race of Champions at Road Atlanta with the Atlanta Region of the SCCA in November of 2019, when another opportunity became available to us.
The second opportunity also comes at a venue with a long history in Formula F, the always challenging Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. So, we have decided to present two celebratory weekends which we are simply going to call The Golden Part One and The Golden Part Two. I am sure that most people who read this may decide this is crazy as there are four vintage affiliated 50th celebrations that have been announced for 2019 as well as our Road Atlanta event.
A man I have great respect for, Bernard Bradpiece, has correctly observed that with so many 50th celebrations being launched that all will suffer attendance wise. I agree, but in the year since we announced the first of the 50th commemorative events, we have spoken with many, many FF and CFF drivers. One of the most common responses we received was that “November is after my season has ended” or “if you were only going to have it earlier” or “I wish it were more centrally located”. We really do listen to the drivers we race and talk with and try to accommodate them as much as possible. We do this because the sole purpose of Right Coast is to try and get large fields for great racing. So, I agree, it is a bit crazy, but Mid Ohio is already on our 2019 schedule and we can now make it just a bit more special.
I also want to remind everyone that the Right Coast affiliated 50th Golden events are the ONLY CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE OPEN TO ALL FF/CFF CARS WHETHER YOU ARE FORD OR HONDA POWERED on whatever tires you should choose to run.
The 50th Part One will take place at Mid Ohio on June 28 thru 30 with Formula Race Promotions. Right Coast Formula F will join the F1600 and F2000 pro series along with the Formula Vee Challenge Cup Series for another spectacular all formula car weekend. We are still working on the weekend schedule, but there will be at least three FF/CFF only races during the weekend.
The 50th Part Two will take place at the American Road Race of Champions at Road Atlanta with the Atlanta Region of the SCCA on November 1 thru 3 as we had previously announced. We have been approached by some people who would like to do something special for Formula F and we are working on some things that we believe will pleasantly surprise you.
This will give Formula F and Club Formula F two opportunities to celebrate the Golden anniversary of our class. If you can’t make one hopefully you can make it to the other. Better yet, make them both!
On a (hopefully) more thoughtful note; we should take this opportunity to think about our class. As one of those who have been fortunate to have seen a couple of the first FF races ever run in the US in 1969 and then been racing in FF since 1974, I have serious concerns for our class. Formula F in the US is a very fractured fraternity. There are those who think that anything other than a Cortina/Kent in an engine bay is heretical. There are those who see the Honda as a viable option that permits the class to continue as Ford parts become harder to come by.
I am extremely hopeful and grateful that there have been efforts by those of us who love small formula car racing that is still reasonably (I guess we could debate that one) affordable. In the coming years I believe we will see less and less concern with what lump is in the engine bay because the evidence continues to demonstrate that on a competitive basis that it makes no real difference.
So, the Golden Part One and Part Two is open to all FF and CFF cars regardless of engine or tires that the driver prefers to run. All are welcome, please come and join us in this very special year and these two very special events. You will not be disappointed.
Thanks,
Joe Marcinski