Formula Vee or Formula Ford racing?

dorbar · Postby **dorbar** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:21 pm

Hi
Is anyone into formula ford or formula vee racing?
Historic? State series?
Got to be some of you out there that have done this......
I have been to a couple of HSRCA and NSW State meetings over the last year or so, and the racing looks like fun.

The Vees look relatively affordable, especially the historics, and the ffords look like they would be fun to drive at historic level. I think the State series FFords are in a different league alltogether and wouldn't go that far.
Why not race an MX5? :?:

Well, it is always an option, but whilst the Prod Sports category looks great, and is great to watch, from talking to a couple of people it looks like it would take a fair bit of time and money.... racing against Porsches, Elises and some very good little turbo MX5's and turbo Nissans... and all that may cost a fair bit of time and money especially compared to the historic formula vees and maybe ffords? Maybe I have got this wrong?

And as I would be in it just for a bit of fun ....... I was thinking that formula race cars maybe cost a little more to buy, but as the cars are purpose built, they would be fun to drive (and they have a more even playing field). The historic guys in particular seem to have a ball, and from talking to them it doesn't cost them an arm and a leg. :lol:

The State Vee series is a bit more serious, and a bit more expensive too. Anyone doing the vee state series have any comments?
What do others think?
Best of both worlds? MX5 for track days and sprints, and then race a round a little vee or a fford at historics??? :lol:

Anyway just thinking about some options.....views?
Cheers

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:49 pm

Ok, I'm going to take the road that you have done a LOT of karting as a young bloke and are now progressing further, if not then you are in for a MASSIVE rude shock.
Now don't take this as negative feed back but driving even an uncompetive V is down right scary and a FF will cause exteme uncontrolled bowel movement.
Open wheelers even with little 1500 motor are extremely quick in every sense,acceleration, steering, brakes and damage control. Take a corner off and your looking at $3000 to $5000 a corner to replace/repair. The older units are cheaper but not by much.Then there is all the set up etc even before you hit the track and believe me people will offer to help if your gunna buy one but they usually disappear very quickly.
These are an absolute ball to drive but make a stupid mistake and they will bite and bite bloody hard.
If your like me and just want to be a grid filler :lol:

and there is nothing wrong with that, buy what you can afford to race and go from there. My car is only a 1600 but in all honestly doing high 64s around Lakeside Park is enough to keep a smile on my dial.
If you still want to give it a go and I have, and had a ball, have a talk to John Boston who is in Sidders, I'm sure John will point you in the right direction.

Terry

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:53 pm

This is not a trick question and I am not being facetious...

How much money do you have?

The first question you have to ask yourself is, do you want to win? If you don't care, it will be MUCH cheaper - but if you want to win, your costs will multiply several times.

Then ask yourself, how much do you think you could scrape together to set up this racing operation you are considering? That is, to purchase your car, trailer, racing gear, and all the tools needed to set it up?

My good friend, a front runner in NSW historics running a Mini, spends around $2,000+ per meeting (including tyres, avgas, entry fees, engine rebuilds, etc). He has had a couple of incidents in the last few meets, costing $6,000 for an engine rebuild and costing him three weekends and several slabs of beer for friends in body repairs, as well as some cash for second hand body parts, paint, etc..

Even karting is stupidly expensive nowadays. To buy a new front running karting setup (just the kart and engine - and I'm talking AKA here, not the 4 stroke enduro type karts) will set you back $10,000 (once you buy a transponder and Alfano/Mychron), plus another $2,500 for gear, tools and spare parts, and $2,000-$8,000 for a decent trailer. Then you have $300+ for annual license and club membership, $100 per meet in entry fees, $100 in fuel and oil per meet, $250 for a set of tyres every meet, 2-3 top end rebuilds per year ($600 or so each time), 1 bottom end rebuild per year ($900-$1500 depending on engine type), and all the ancillaries such as sprockets, chains, new plastics once in a while, etc etc.

And that assumes you don't bend it!!

Zane · Postby **Zane** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:44 am

Just do it!

Much as I loved racing MX5's in the early years the move to single seaters was the BEST thing I've ever done.

I jump back into a tin-top every so often but I ONLY dream about open wheelers.

I spent my time in Vee's but I would have donated a limb to drive a Formula Ford.

Yes...it's expensive.

Yes...it's a logistical challenge.

Yes...it's time consuming.

But a tin-top will never, ever, ever be as rewarding.

BTW, the Historic Vee's are growing in numbers and professionalism. I'd call them and arrange a lease drive - http://www.historicveeaustralia.com

Do it!

dorbar · Postby **dorbar** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 4:07 pm

Thanks for all the feedback
A few people to talk to, and, who knows.......

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:50 pm

Leigh Hemmings is another one to speak to. I think he is running both a historic 1200 V and state 1600 V and was at Wakefield on Sunday getting ready for two days testing.

He said he is loving the V racing and said it was so much better than his very quick clubman.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:14 pm

I drove an open wheeler in Dubai at at the Dubai autodrome.
my god it was amazing.

I looked into the costs and on my wage, with a mortgage...nah, not gonna happen!
If I was still early 20's living with the folks Id consider it more - so thats why I have the MX5.

Im always at the back of the grid with the MX5 guys but I love racing and being out there!

how bout you do a red balloon day? i think its like 750+ and yopu get to drive a F Ford at wakie for quite a few laps.

see how you go behind the wheel and go from there.

the F Vee's are cheaper to purchase, not as quick, but will still be bundles of fun.

also - you dont have to race your 5 against the porka's and stuff, race against other mx5's - there are plenty of classes and series they can race in, and even someone like me can afford it!

Cheers,
Chris