Young race drivers from across the globe are eyeing this season’s new-look Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain.
Competitors from 10 countries have registered firm interest with series organisers. With 10 weeks until the opening round, officials are delighted with the response to the major changes introduced to the category for 2013.
“We’re hugely encouraged at the interest shown by teams and drivers,” said Ford Racing motorsport manager Mike Norton. Norton attended today’s opening day of the Autosport International racing car show in Birmingham, England, where the new Formula Ford EcoBoost 200 car is on display until Sunday.
“The number of serious inquiries from international drivers who are considering committing to the series has exceeded our expectations.
“Competitors from USA, Finland, South Africa and Argentina, countries that are regular participants in the championship, have either tested a car or been in talks. But what is particularly encouraging is that we’ve had similar interest from drivers in Greece and Norway.
“The Autosport show traditionally raises the curtain on the motorsport season and we’ve maintained the strong momentum here by displaying the car and meeting with other prospective competitors and teams wishing to join us for 2013,” added Norton.
The new high-tech EcoBoost 200 car will provide racers with the world’s most technically advanced junior single-seater cars. Increased power from the turbocharged engine allied to the introduction of aerodynamic front and rear wings, one of the biggest technical advances in the championship’s history, will transform the car into the UK’s fastest junior single-seater.
The 1.6-litre unit is a proven and reliable entity. It is the same downsized, high-efficiency EcoBoost engine as used in Ford’s latest production cars and has a successful season’s race development behind it. For 2013 its electronics will be remapped to boost power output in excess of 200PS.
The chassis complies fully with the FIA’s latest stringent safety requirements equivalent to that of Formula 3 and also boasts a Formula 3-specification six-speed gearbox and on-board data logging and track mapping.
Ford of Europe’s design team played a key role in the look of the car. Its input ensured the EcoBoost 200 visually reflects the successful kinetic design styling cues synonymous with Ford’s product line-up.
Formula Ford has an increased profile to match, as a support series to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for the next three years. The agreement delivers live TV coverage at each of the 10 race weekends, incorporating 30 races, on UK terrestrial channel ITV4.
The calendar begins on 30 / 31 March at Brands Hatch and visits Donington Park, Thruxton, Oulton Park, Croft, Snetterton, Knockhill, Rockingham and Silverstone before returning to Brands Hatch for the final rounds on 12 / 13 October.
