Formula Ford race reports

Another Manfield experience. 14-15 November 2009

Well; what a great weekend we had at the MG Classic.

Some of us leisurely drove down to Feilding on Thursday in lovely fine weather.

Others had to get out of bed really early to get there on time to take advantage of Friday testing at only $75.

Others arrived casually during Friday and got set up for the weekend.

We had 29 cars in our races and 18 of these were Formula Fords from both Islands. It is fantastic having the South Island guys come up each year to do battle with us. We always have lots of fun with them, whether it be in the North or South.

I certainly hope more of you will venture further a field and enjoy the comradery we have.

Saturday dawned very windy, and very cold. We were scheduled for qualifying and 4 races for the weekend. At drivers briefing Ron asked to see the Historic group co ordinater after briefing. Michael Hunter came with me to offer his input, which was appreciated under the circumstances.

We had an extremely friendly discussion where Ron said he would do his best to fit in another race for us, and explained we were not being singled out or ostracized with a 4 race format, and that it was purely a mistake.

The meeting as usual was run like clockwork, and by lunch time Ron came and said we would get the additional race at the end of the days racing. Which we did.

Sunday arrived a little warmer but still very windy.

We were second out again, and had our one and only handicap race, followed by our last race mid afternoon.

We did a few random compression checks, and a full check on Tony's car, which I am delighted to say is back to legal. We will be continuing with the engine checks.

Several of our group have attended to their engines over the winter and it sure did show over the weekend. We had fantastic close fun racing, without anyone being able to pull a break on the others. Heaps of dicing and slip streaming going on. Make one small mistake and your playmate is through and it is your turn to hassle him into leaving a gap. The after race fun in the pits was almost as good as the racing.

Of all the close racing, we had no coming together and no hits or touches. I am proud to be part of our group that displayed good disciplined racing and also put on a very good show for the large crowd.

Some experienced small mechanical problems which were overcome. I really feel for Stan who broke a cam follower, which ended his fun.

Join the HRSCC meeting at Taupo on Sunday the 6th December, and feel the fun of genuine Formula Ford racing.

Thanks to Mark Joblin Classic Cover Insurance for forwarding the photos on this page, all taken by Steve Beale.

See you there, Bruce McCoy NZ Historic FF Register Co-ordinator.

David Heron, March F2 (ex - Frank Radisich etc)	John Rapley, Brabham FJ
Tony Cross, Lola FF	Peter Avery, Brabham, Off at Turn 1
Peter Avery, Brabham, Off at Turn 1	Robert Giles, Titan FF leads Mike Hunter, Hawke FF and Peter Avery, Brabham BT
Graham Walker, Begg FF	Dave Silverton, PRS FF

Pukekohe Legends of Speed. 21st-22nd March 2009

What a great time we all had last weekend. Good clean hard racing and great weather.

It was great to have welcomed Ron Wilkin to be with us. His car is a beautifully prepared Elden and is a very welcome addition to our group.

It was good to have Richard Cullen return to racing after his shoulder operation. I enjoyed many dicing battles with Richard.

Vic Clarke has had a great time over recent meetings and has also been involved in many slip streaming and dicing duels.

Tony and Ben were duelling out front and we all enjoyed the new grip hairpin, but Tony and I found that braking at the 50 meter mark was a tad too late.

Tony hasn't had a chance to fit his "Legal" engine as yet but it will be done over winter.

Series points to date; Major series top 5;

Minor series top 5;

Here we are again racing on the 5th April and only the two one day events left on our 2008/2009 season. Lets make them ripper events with a good turn out. Graham Walker will be at both events and really looking forward to them.

We had 9 cars entered last weekend out of 21 paid up members of our group, I hope for more this time.

Photos kindly sent to me from Richard.

Richard Cullen 1979 Van Diemen FF chases Bruce McCoy’s 1975 Cheetah	Martin Lucas in his 1980 Van Diemen RF80c FF
Vic Clarkes 1971 Palliser FF	Dave Silverton, 1980, PRS RH02 chased by Vic Clarkes 1971 Palliser FF
Ben Field, 1971 Elden Mk8

Formula Ford Report 02/02/2008

Well, it sure was a full on weekend with weather we all dream about for the entire weekend.

Phil Foulkes and Michael Clark were dealt a rough blow early in the meeting and had to feel the anguish of not being able to compete. As I found last season, that is really tough, but you get to see some great racing and visualise where you would be in the pack. It also does us good to see the discipline of all competitors in those tight situations when running in such large fields.

I think it is fair to say that most of us were not really in favour of a handicap race with such a large field. I congratulate everyone for the discipline and consideration of every competitor. Not a single incident and both fast and slow groups showed respect for each other. FANTASTIC.

I am pleased to say that all competing members of our group are paid up to our series.This is a must.

It has been suggested that our fee be increased to at least $50 so that a MSNZ inspector can be employed to check the likes of engine legality. Frankly I don't agree and prefer the honesty rule to prevail. I will do the checks at no charge if that is what our group feels is necessary.

I have the necessary equipment to check camshaft duration and compression pressure. It is a simple procedure which only entails spark plug and rocker cover removal and the fitting of a frame which houses two dial gauges which are in contact with the inlet and exhaust valve of one cylinder. It takes only a few minutes and identifies camshaft duration and lift. Couple this with a quick compression pressure check and we can fairly accurately identify engine legality.

Tony Cross has purchased a legal F/Ford engine which will be fitted after Taupo, which is admission that his current engine is outside our rules.

We have two other cars that have been suggested as doubtful to the specifications, both of which were purchased in the supposed illegal state they are in.

They are car no 8, Ben Field, and car no 222, Bruce Wooten. Also car 111, Bob Giles raises widespread suspicion.

On numerous conversations I hear of past competitors that would enter "Historic Racing" but would not consider it until controls are in place.

Frankly I don't want to have to check engines at our meetings. All I want to do is race my car with the friends I respect and enjoy their company. Until the helmet comes on that is.

Where do we go from here. Please send me your views, we are all friends and are all concerned for the welfare of our series.

After Taupo I head to the South Island to again compete in the Southern Festival Of Speed.

Please send me your views. We all have a stake in our series and have to have unity.

I AM ONLY THE GUY THAT GETS THE SHOTS FIRED AT. PLEASE HELP ME BY EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION FOR THE GREAT GROUP YOU BELONG TO.

With that, I look forward to seeing you all in Taupo this weekend for another fun filled experience.

Bruce & Jill

Taupo 6th and 7th December 2008

"Wow" what a weekend's racing that was. Practice and 7 races over the two days in very hot dry weather with light winds; it couldn't have been better.

We welcomed Martin Lucas to our group and he requested to start off the rear all weekend to get used to his X Lyall Zohs Van Diemen. Great to have you with us Martin, I bet that the smile is still on your face.

We had 12 Formula Fords which gave us our own grids all weekend. We all took turns at different starting positions which is always popular at that meeting.

Michael Clarke had an oil line come off and somehow didn't expire his engine, he must have a 20 litre reservoir tank, I don't think I have ever seen as much oil dropped (on the racing line of course.) I hope you took the suggestion and purchased a Lotto ticket. Michael also missed one race due to a flat battery.

Roger Slee had the off of the day entering the sweeper. He left the track and buried the car in the scoria without tell tale tyre entry marks. He was presented with a chocolate frog for his leap, and was back out again after a clean up.

Peter Grant ("Baldric" from Christchurch) spun exiting the sweeper right in front of myself, almost identical to the spin at Manfield hairpin. Peter was at the Taupo meeting last year and will try to be with us at Pukekohe late January. Peter also had to chase all round Taupo to replace a dead battery. Its great to have you up here with us.

Tony Cross and Dave Silverton went straight ahead off the end of the straight, and in a later race Martin Lucas, Tony, Baldric and Roger had spins on a massive amount of scoria deposited on the only right hander (I think put there by Noel Martin Smith). Michael Hunter battled engine misfiring problems on Saturday (condenser we think) but came out fired up on Sunday and had a great time. Vic Clarke didn't realize that spins would cost him valuable points so had two of the best to my knowledge.

When we got home and unpacked everything I realized how tired my neck and body was. What a nice feeling to be tired out from racing. I must use my exercise machine more often.
Alistair and Stewart did not have their car ready, but were at the meeting and were Marshals for the weekend. Thanks very much.

For those that were unable to make the meeting I am sorry you missed the fun, better luck next year .

The Mallock 50th anniversary prize giving and dinner was absolutely superb. It was fantastic to see so many cars and famous people at the dinner and meeting. Congratulations to all involved, you did a marvelous job to mark the occasion. The first 5 on the "Major" series points table so far.
• Tony Cross 217
• Bruce McCoy 150
• Phil Foulkes 123
• Michael Hunter 112
• Vic Clarke 108

The first 5 on the "Minor" series points table so far.
• Bruce McCoy 150
• Tony Cross 144
• Phil Foulkes 120
• Vic Clarke 115
• Graham Walker 100

That's all from me for now, I hope you all have a great Christmas and wish you all a very prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you all at the Tasman Revival meetings at Pukekohe and Taupo. At this stage Phil Foulkes, Bob Giles and myself are all going to the "Southern Festival Of Speed".

Our best wishes to you all,
Bruce and Jill McCoy

April 2008

Here we are with two race meetings and one hill climb left to complete the season.

Unfortunately I couldn't race last weekend, but I was there and really enjoyed watching good competitive, clean Historic racing. It was great to walk the pits enjoying the enthusiasm from everyone out there doing it. We had 21 cars in our races which were a mix of Super Historics, Formula Ford and Formula Juniors, and because of this had rolling starts. ( I would love to have been part of it )

Alistair unfortunately spun near the end of the first race entering Jennian, and touched the wall with his nose cone, which came off second best. That ended his weekend. Ben and Phil decided to do a 9 lap race and got called up to the "Beak" to answer for their misdemeanor.

Tony Cross and Ian were at the meeting and announced he is coming back to race with us. He has purchased the John & Trudy Cameron Lola, had it put back to legal & will be out with us next season. ( if not before )

Barry Thomas has joined with us with his Royale RP16 and raced steadily over the weekend having a lot of fun. Michael Clark has a continual smile on his face and is having a ball. ( and his lap times show it )

The points series is very close in both series to date, the first five are;

Major Series:
Richard 317
Dave 292
Phil 269
Mike 257
Ben 244

Minor Series:
Dave 190
Mike 172
Phil 150
Richard 147
Vic 129

Our next meeting is TACCOC April 13 where we get Qualifying and 3 races in the 1 day event. I have surgery on my shoulder on the 1st April so don't think I can race, but I will be there.

Cheers
Bruce

Taupo racing December 2007

Hi all,

What a fantastic weekend we had with great warm sunny weather. Just what we had hoped for, and a good turn out of our group.

We had 11 of us sharing grid starting positions at random and enjoying good, very close racing. There was no lap timing taken, which I feel always adds to the friendly atmosphere of this annual event.

We had some hard luck dished out to a few, and it was very sad to see Michael Clark have an excursion in his first ever event, especially when he had the correct mindset. With the expert help from his minder ( Graham McRae ) he will certainly bounce back.

Once again Stan Benbrook was dealt a mechanical woe. That the third time at that event, all over now we hope.

I arrived home Sunday evening tired and elated. What a fantastic group of friends ( until the helmet goes on ) we have to race with.

For those of you that couldn't make the event, lets all hope you can next year join in the fun offered by the only circuit racing meeting offered by HRSCC.

We have a summer of events coming up so lets hope for even larger fields of our gorgeous race cars.

We wish you all the best for the festive season and look forward to catching up in the new year.

Bruce and Jill McCoy

Archived reports:

November 2007 (PDF file)