[woodcote]

   

It’s going to wet and wild at Brands today for the 51st running of the legendary Formula Ford Festival. It’s also 55 years since Formula Ford was created by the then owner of Brands Hatch, John Webb.

Yesterday saw the first qualifying heats - BrumosRSR’s buddy Max Esterson won the first heat and will feature in the first semi-final at 1.30pm, the opening action of today’s live coverage on YouTube.

Before that are two progression heats to give a second chance to those who had mishaps on Saturday. Not returning is Matt Rivett, who miraculously walked away from a huge airborne shunt at Paddock. He remains in hospital overnight for observation.

Here’s the Formula Ford schedule for Sunday…

1.30pm Semi-Final 1 - 14 laps
2.03pm Semi-Final 2 - 14 laps

3.06pm Historical Final - 15 laps

4.11pm Last Chance Race - 8 laps

5.06pm Grand Final - 20 laps.

Time to get the waterproofs ready and hit the road before it gets too wet…

[BAracer]

I remember watching Allan McNish compete in FF. The boy done well!

[CMOTD]

Unfortunately a bit of a damp squib at the end with the grand final called after just two laps when torrential rain hit the circuit. A pity because this once mighty event is just beginning to recover after years of decline following the disastrous Zetec years.

However, we do have the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at Silverstone LINK to come in two weeks time. This has eclipsed the Festival for many years with entries far exceeding the recent Brands Hatch events. It probably won't be live streamed but why not join me and attend in person? It will be cold and probably a bit damp but provides top notch Formula Ford racing reminiscent of the glory years of the category. It has been my 'go to' end of season event for a long time now.

[Brumos RSR]

Although my son did not participate in the Walter Hays Trophy or Ford Festival, he ran for Low Dempsey Racing or Cliff Dempsey’s last year as owner in 2020.  Colin Queen and Max Esterson are racing friends of ours along with Bryce Arron who ran GB3 this year.