FF 55th at Road America

[PCalhoun]

I have seen nothing mentioned on this on the various FF FB groups I follow, but my ear is not as in tune as it once was. My dad happened to mention it over the holiday w/e.

Road America will be hosting a Formula Ford 55th anniversary celebration as part of their annual July WeatherTech International Vintage Challenge with Brian Redman w/e.

Event Links:

https://www.elkhartlake.com/event/we...-brian-redman/

https://www.roadamerica.com/weathert...e-brian-redman

[DanW]

Some of us racing with the Crossflow Cup in VFF and CF on the Left Coast are planning to attend.

[Garey Guzman]

I think the Murfreesboro, TN FF racers in will be going, along with some KY FF racers.

Maybe this is the start of the Roll Call for the event?

[stonebridge20]

Treadway says, see ya all at the 60th

[s800racer]

Treadway says, see ya all at the 60th

LOL - He's younger than me, I'm going. Dave and Scott Fairchild also have it on their calendar.

[old 59]

There should be a small Canadian contingent attending

[Lotus7]

Given that Redman's event is in theory a "vintage" event, will there be a cut-off for the FF model year?

[TimH]

Some of the AZ group hoping to be there.

[Mschumi101]

Given that Redman's event is in theory a "vintage" event, will there be a cut-off for the FF model year?

I think its generally 5 years old minimum for even the "modern" classes. Which would still put 90% of the FF's racing in the country eligible save for maybe a few of the Spectrum's and Ray's.

[Lotus7]

I think its generally 5 years old minimum for even the "modern" classes. Which would still put 90% of the FF's racing in the country eligible save for maybe a few of the Spectrum's and Ray's.

If so, seems odd that an "anniversary" event would want to exclude anyone from the celebration...

[stonebridge20]

If so, seems odd that an "anniversary" event would want to exclude anyone from the celebration...

Yes, all Formula Fords should be invited.

[old 59]

.

[stonebridge20]

I

[ric baribeault]

Planning on being there. Unlikely to be around for the 60th

[scorp997]

Am I to assume that my ‘82 Royale RP31 would run in “modern” Ford, if the strict Monoposto rules are followed? Being that this has one suspension outboard, all of the groups I have run with consider it a Club Ford.

i am hoping to be there this year with a couple others from the Pacific Northwest..

[bassracer]

Ford engine only?

[stonebridge20]

Ford engine only?

I would think so.

[s800racer]

Am I to assume that my ‘82 Royale RP31 would run in “modern” Ford, if the strict Monoposto rules are followed? Being that this has one suspension outboard, all of the groups I have run with consider it a Club Ford.

i am hoping to be there this year with a couple others from the Pacific Northwest..

Actually I would call it a vintage eligible "Post Club Ford" as it is an all inboard but rocker arm car and not one of the pushrod, narrow chassis cars.

[scorp997]

Actually I would call it a vintage eligible "Post Club Ford" as it is an all inboard but rocker arm car and not one of the pushrod, narrow chassis cars.

this model is NOT an all inboard suspension. The rear shocks are WAY out at the uprights. The RP33 that followed had rocker rear suspension.

im also curious about the rule set for those that have been there. My car has Penskes within remote reservoirs, and some oganizations frown upon that in Club Ford. Any one do this event with remotes?

[s800racer]

this model is NOT an all inboard suspension. The rear shocks are WAY out at the uprights. The RP33 that followed had rocker rear suspension.

im also curious about the rule set for those that have been there. My car has Penskes within remote reservoirs, and some oganizations frown upon that in Club Ford. Any one do this event with remotes?

My apologies for not keeping my '80's Royales straight.

[scorp997]

ha! No problem here, there are a lot of cars that I can’t keep straight!

A lot of publications have this car described incorrectly. While this car may have been the first ‘aero’ Royale, the chassis width is the same (actually wider) than my older RP16. Certainly not in the same class as a DB1 or even VDs of the era.

My apologies for not keeping my '80's Royales straight.

[s800racer]

ha! No problem here, there are a lot of cars that I can’t keep straight!

A lot of publications have this car described incorrectly. While this car may have been the first ‘aero’ Royale, the chassis width is the same (actually wider) than my older RP16. Certainly not in the same class as a DB1 or even VDs of the era.

In determining "vintage eligible" cars, VDCA follows the Formula Ford Challenge Series rules. The cut off is aimed at excluding the narrow chassis designs that started with the DB-1. Your car is technically a "Post Club Ford" by the fact that it is later than 1981 but not a narrow chassis design. With outboard at the rear, the RP31 is aerodynamically on par with a lot of the Club Fords.

[helipilot04]

The tentative schedule is posted on motorsports reg. It shows two run groups, A- up to 1973 and B- 1973 thru1981. Nothing else listed for newer cars. ?? (group 4?)

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...america-964125

schedule::
https://dl.motorsportreg.com/10d3596...-6fc06e9cbf9f/

-Bob

[Gokart Mozart]

The tentative schedule is posted on motorsports reg. It shows two run groups, A- up to 1973 and B- 1973 thru1981. Nothing else listed for newer cars. ?? (group 4?)

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...america-964125

schedule::
https://dl.motorsportreg.com/10d3596...-6fc06e9cbf9f/

-Bob

I've been told Post Club Ford / Modern Ford (post 1982) cars will run in Group 4.

VFF/HFF (however you determine it, pre-1973) will be allowed to run alloy wheels, otherwise both that group and the CFF/HCF (1973-1981) cars will run by Monoposto rules.

15 cars in VFF at the moment, with 16 in CF- we have another car we'll be adding from our team in CF.

All the best-

JD

[TimH]

I've been told Post Club Ford / Modern Ford (post 1982) cars will run in Group 4.

The current schedule does say that. Mixed group with FSV, FB, FC, ...

Not clear what tires are allowed.

Looks like we probably won't be making the trip, which is a shame.

[Lotus7]

Aluminum heads allowed?

[Roland V. Johnson]

Let the flaming start. The Monoposto rules are ridiculous. The idea that you cannot modify the car and it must remain as it left the factory was never part of Formula Ford. I have no cars that fit those rules, and I and everyone I know racing Formula Ford has changed something on their car. I have a Lotus 51 that I was thinking of bringing to the 55th. It has suspension pick up points modified. tubes added to the cockpit, the gearbox has been changed from a Renault to a Hewland, rod ends on rear trailing links, etc. These modifications were all made on the car by Jules Williams who then won the first FF race in the U. S. I will not change it back . Formula Ford has always been about making the car and driver as good as you can while following the rule book. (I know over the years there are a lot things that slipped under the rules, but cheating to win is very hollow to me.

[Gokart Mozart]

Let the flaming start. The Monoposto rules are ridiculous. The idea that you cannot modify the car and it must remain as it left the factory was never part of Formula Ford. I have no cars that fit those rules, and I and everyone I know racing Formula Ford has changed something on their car. I have a Lotus 51 that I was thinking of bringing to the 55th. It has suspension pick up points modified. tubes added to the cockpit, the gearbox has been changed from a Renault to a Hewland, rod ends on rear trailing links, etc. These modifications were all made on the car by Jules Williams who then won the first FF race in the U. S. I will not change it back . Formula Ford has always been about making the car and driver as good as you can while following the rule book. (I know over the years there are a lot things that slipped under the rules, but cheating to win is very hollow to me.

Let me ice the flames.

You ran this event in 2022 and a few other years if my memory serves me. The event was with Monoposto rules then as well, and it all worked out for you and everyone else. I've run since 2015 under those rules with a car that has been updated for safety with zero issues.

It comes down to this: RA needed a rules set that worked for the event, and why alter what they've used in the past? The Monoposto set worked fine for tire/engine/wheel rules, and I think that, beyond safety terms is what we really need to look at.

Its all going to be alright.

And for that matter, if VARA, Crossflow, Monoposto, Sovren, SVRA, VSCDA, VSCCA, VDCA and everyone else want to standardize a simple rule set, i think sooner is better than later, when 'flame' posts do more to divide FF than keep it together.

Cheers,

[Jayeff]

this model is NOT an all inboard suspension. The rear shocks are WAY out at the uprights. The RP33 that followed had rocker rear suspension.

im also curious about the rule set for those that have been there. My car has Penskes within remote reservoirs, and some oganizations frown upon that in Club Ford. Any one do this event with remotes?

I don't think remotes are legal.
You all enjoy, I'm racing elsewhere.