Alan McColl (#03) leading Rick Payne (#75) and Keith Robinson (#90) in Turn #2 in Sunday’s race. Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette (gerryfrechette.zenfolio.com)

The start to the 2013 racing season provided us with a couple of intense battles between Rick Payne and Alan McColl. It was a very entertaining beginning to what will hopefully be a great season long battle for the CACC Formula Ford Championship.

Race #1 

In Saturday morning’s qualifying session for Race #1 Rick Payne , driving a Crossle 45F belonging to Alan Long, grabbed the pole position for the Formula Ford group with a lap time of 1:25.733 on a very wet track. This was a pretty impressive time considering the next quickest driver was Alan McColl, in his Tiga FF77, with a time of 1:29.603. Following these 2 drivers came Brad Miller in his Crossle 35F at 1:37.538 and Keith Robinson in his Van Diemen RF79 at 1:39.027. These 4 were followed by newcomer Fed Wong in his Crossle 45F at 1:57.690.

The Saturday afternoon race started on a wet track with all the cars on rain tires. Unfortunately weather conditions being what they were the race track never did dry out and the on again off again rain showers made sure no dry line developed during race. At the drop of the green flag Rick Payne made a demon start to lead the field in Turn #1 but by the time they came around to complete the 1st lap it was Alan McColl who crossed the timing strip in the lead of the race. It didn’t take Rick long to return to the lead as he drafted past Alan going down the front straight away and passed him under braking for Turn #1. The very next lap around a pace car was sent out to bring the field under control to allow the corner marshals to clear an accident that left a car stopped in a precarious position close to the track. After several laps behind the pace car the race was restarted on Lap #6 with Alan McColl again passing Rick Payne for the lead. Then on Lap #7 Rick suffered a partial spin in Turn #9 as he tried to close the gap to Alan’s Tiga. This provided the break Alan needed to extend his lead and ruin any chance that Rick had of using the draft to close up on Alan’s car. With time now his enemy, Rick simply ran out of laps and was unable to close the gap to Alan before the chequered flag came out and he had to settle for 2nd place. The fastest lap times for both drivers were very close with Alan turning a slightly quicker time at 1:20.574 and Rick turning a lap of 1:20.705.

Further back in the field Brad Miller and Keith Robinson had their own battle for the 3rd and 4th places. Brad had held 3rd place for much of the race but with 4 laps to go a hard charging Keith Robinson finally caught and passed Brad to take over the 3rd position. With that move the finishing order of the race was set, in 1st was Alan McColl, 2nd was Rick Payne, 3rd was Keith Robinson, 4th was Brad Miller. Following Brad home was Fed Wong in his 1st race in a Formula Ford. He did a good job just to keep his car on the track and finish the race in rather trying conditions.

Race #2 

For Sunday the skies cleared , the sun came out and the lap times tumbled in both the morning practice and mid-morning qualifying sessions. The grid for the afternoon race saw Rick Payne, in a Crossle 45F, back on the pole position for the Formula Ford group with a fastest lap of 1:12.366. Next to him was Alan McColl, in his Tiga 77F, at 1:12.624 followed by Keith Robinson, in his Van Diemen RF79, at 1:15.987. Then came Craig Archer in a Swift DB-1 at 1:16.534, then Brad Miller in his Crossle 35F at 1:18.962 and Fed Wong in his Crossle 45F at 1:25.436.

Once again at the start of the race Rick Payne got the jump on the field and lead them into Turn #1. The surprise move of the race was Keith Robinson getting past Alan McColl on that first lap, but it was not to last as Alan past both Keith and Rick the next lap round. For the next 12 laps there ensued a classic Formula Ford battle as both Alan and Rick ran nose to tail, at times with only inches separating their cars. Rick kept the pressure up as he looked for a way past Alan, just needing the smallest of driving errors to find his way around the green Tiga. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be as Rick’s race came to a premature end with only 2 laps remaining when an oil line fitting on the oil pump came loose and sprayed oil all over the back of the car and the race track. It was a disappointing way to end the race for both him and the spectators who no doubt were looking forward to a thrilling last couple of laps. Rick was able to take some consolation in that he turned the fastest lap of the race at 1:11.885 just .005th of a second off of the Formula Ford lap record at Mission Raceway.

Following his stellar start to the race Keith Robinson was able to hold onto to his 3rd place qualifying position but he was coming under increasing pressure from Craig Archer. Then on Lap #5 Craig made his pass and took over 3rd place. As fortune would have it his 3rd place turned into a 2nd place finish when Rick Payne was forced to retire from the race. This also promoted Keith back into 3rd place and he was followed my Brad Miller and Fed Wong in 5th and 6th places respectively.

With the first 2 races of the new season now in the books Alan McColl leads the CACC Formula Ford Championship with 18 points. He is followed by Rick Payne and Keith Robinson both tied with 9 points each. Next is another tie with Brad Miller and Craig Archer both having 6 points followed by Fed Wong with 3 points.

Our next CACC Championship race will be on the June 8/9/2013 weekend but in between there will the B.C. Historic Motor Races with a Formula Ford Invitational Race to celebrate 45 years of Formula Ford racing in B.C. This will take place on the May 25/26/2012 weekend and we hope to see you there.

3 wide going through Turn #1, Alan McColl (#03), Rick Payne (#75) and Keith Robinson (#90) at the beginning of Sunday’s race. Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette (gerryfrechette.zenfolio.com)

Alan McColl (#03) leading Rick Payne (#75) out of Turn #5. Photo courtesy of Paul Bonner.

Rick Payne (#75) tries to get the inside line on Alan McColl (#03) into Turn #2. Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette (gerryfrechette.zenfolio.com)

Brad Miller (#38) ahead of Craig Archer (#17) through Turns #7& #8. Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette (gerryfrechette.zenfolio.com)

Fed Wong (#22) ahead of Alan McColl (#03) into Turn #2. Photo courtesy of Paul Bonner.

Frank Winterlik’s new ride – 1982 Van Diemen RF82

Frank has just purchased the 1982 Van Diemen RF82 from Noel McAvena in Regina that was advertised on our website. Frank lives in Winfield just outside of Kelowna and has been racing a Porsche 911S in Vintage for a number of years. I understand it is his intention to try and have the car ready for the first race of the year in April. To make that happen he has the help of  Frank Allers to  prepare the car. Frank won numerous championships in the Honda Michelin, Players GM and Canadian Formula Atlantic Series.

We look forward to seeing him at the track and I am sure Frank will be great addition to our group.

Michael Lensen’s 1989 Van Diemen RF88

We would like to welcome Michael Lensen from Surrey back to our Formula Ford group. He just recently sold his F2000 car and has just bought back his 1988 Van Diemen RF88 from J.C. Cuevas in Seattle. Michael ran this car from 2002 to 2007 very successfully winning Formula Ford Championships in both CACC and ICSCC.

We wish him well with his new car and many years of racing fun in Formula Ford. We look forward to seeing out at our first race in April.

Keith Robinson in car #90, Van Diemen RF79 race winner!

By Keith Robinson

I love motor racing and I’m in my fifth decade of racing.

2012 was my first complete season after returning to Formula Ford, what a blast!

Working on the car whether it be maintenance, rebuilding the clutch, experimenting with suspension settings, changing gear ratios it’s all interesting and fun!

Formula Fords are designed and built by racers; they are pure race cars and no they don’t have doors.

You don’t have to be a professional mechanic to work on them, there are books you can read and there are many people in the Formula Ford racing community to help you. Yes, the other Formula Ford drivers want to help you and we want to see more cars, we enjoy the competition!

Racing a sedan is exciting, I’ve always enjoyed it.

Racing a Formula Ford is EXCITING and I love it.

Best of all, buying and racing my RF 79 Van Diemen, has been no more expensive than my 90 Civic!

There are cars for sale and people waiting to help, so why are you waiting?

Three score years and ten; 22000 days, no matter how you calculate it life is short put some excitement into it in 2013.

Formula Ford racing action at Mission Raceway Park. Photo courtesy of Brent Martin

The Sports Car Club of B.C. has just released their race dates for the 2013 season. There will be 5 Confederation of Car Clubs (CACC) race weekends consisting of 2 races per weekend for a total of 10 events that will make up the CACC B.C. Championship for formula cars and sedans. In addition there is also be 1 International Conference of Sports Car Clubs (ICSCC) race on the August 31st to September 3rd weekend, this will be a triple race event. This race is part of the 9  scheduled race weekends that make up the ICSCC Championship, the other races are in Portland, Seattle, Spokane and Shelton. Anyone wishing to view the complete ICSCC schedule is invited to click on the ICSCC link on our Links page.

As is customary there will be 2 Driver Training Weekends this year. A spring date of March 23rd/24th and a summer date of June 22nd/23rd. If you would like more information on these Driver Training Weekends and/or entry forms please click on the SCCBC link on our Links page.

For those interested in Vintage Car Race the VRCBC is holding their B.C. Historic Motor Races on the May 25th/26th weekend. This year they are  adding the 45th Anniversary of Formula Ford in B.C. to their event as a feature race. It should make for a very interesting and entertaining event. For more information on this weekend and on the VRCBC please click on the VRCBC link on our Links page.

The 2013 SCCBC race schedule for the River’s Edge Road Course at Mission Raceway is as follows :

March 23-24 Driver Training

April 13-14 CACC Race, Rounds 1 & 2

May 25/26 BCHMR, Formula Ford Feature Race

June 8-9 CACC Race, Rounds 3 & 4

June 22-23 Driver Training

July 13-14 CACC Race, Rounds 5 & 6

August 3-4 CACC Race, Rounds 7 & 8

Aug.31-Sept,3 ICSCC Triple Race

Sept. 14-15 CACC Race, Rounds 9 & 10

October 12 Night Endurance Race

We now have a confirmed date for our 45th Anniversary Race weekend. It will be on May 25th and 26th, 2013 at Mission Raceway Park as part of the British Columbia Historic Motor Races (BCHMR). Unfortunately the date hoped for in either late July or early August was not available and the BCHMR has reverted back to its more traditional date in May.

We will have more information available shortly, in the form of another update, with regards to entry fees, practice day and other details.

Once again mark May 25/26/2013 on your racing calendars and come join us, for a fun filled weekend of Formula Ford racing. It will be some of the best open-wheel racing to be had this year and you are invited to the party!

In order to help us make this the best possible event for all the competitors, we are asking you to please email us back and let us know if you are interested in attending this event. We would like to start to get an idea of the number of drivers wishing to enter this race weekend. We know for some drivers it is still early days in planning their racing schedule for the coming season but your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. We thank you in advance for your responses.

Regards,

Event Organizers

Felim Power & Alan McColl

Plans are now almost completed to stage Formula Ford’s 45th Birthday Party as part of the 2013 B.C. Historic Motor Races (BCHMR) event to be held at Mission Raceway Park. We would like to invite all of you to come join us, the event will most likely be held in either late July or early August. We will have a firm date towards to the end of January 2013 once the road racing schedule for Mission Raceway Park is set by the Sports Car Club of B.C. Once we have been given confirmation of the date we will communicate it to all the drivers and owners as quickly as possible.

The purpose of our making this announcement now is three fold:

1) We want to allow sufficient time for all drivers who would like to attend to get their cars prepared for this event.

2) In addition we wanted to spread the word regarding this event so that drivers can add it to their list of races they wish to attend in 2013.

3) To allow time for our American friends to arrange for their travel documents.

Three generations of Formula Fords will be racing at Mission Raceway Park as part of this event. The BCHMR will feature Historic Formula Fords (1967-1974). Second generation cars (1975 – 1981) commonly referred to as Club Fords, as well as current generation Formula Fords (1982 to present day cars). Marques represented include Crossle, Lola, Titan, Reynard, Van Diemen, Swift, Citation, Tiga and Piper all powered by the Ford 1600cc Kent engines.

This race weekend is typically a 2 day event with the Friday before the weekend available as a practice day for an additional fee. More details on the event itself will be available in future emails.

There will be BBQs at the track following the day’s racing activities and we are attempting to have several Formula Ford engine builders attend the event. They would be available throughout the weekend to give advice and assistance as needed.

Since 1976, when the races were staged at the famous Westwood track in Coquitlam and now at the multi-purpose racing complex at Mission, the Vintage Racing Club of B.C.’s British Columbia Historic Motor Races has grown to become the largest vintage race event in Western Canada, with more than 100 vintage and historic racing cars and large crowds of spectators in attendance.

So whatever else your racing plans are for the 2013 season, be sure to put the date for the 45th Formula Ford Anniversary at the BCHMR on you calendar. It will be Formula Ford racing at its best and one great motorsport event.

Regards,

Event Organizers

Felim Power & Alan McColl

Fed’s new ride – 1981 Crossle 45F

We would like to welcome Fedrick Wong from Vancouver to our Formula Ford group. He has just purchased a 1981 Crossle 45F off of Jay Ivey in Portland, Oregon.

Fed has had some prior Formula Vee racing experience and the last 2 years he has been racing with the Family Affair Racing Team.

We wish him well with his new car and many years of racing fun in Formula Ford. We look forward to seeing out at our first race in April.

This review of the 2012 race season is uncannily similar to our 2011 season wrap up. Both of the defending champions from 2011 repeated as our 2012 champions.

In the Confederation of Autosport Car Clubs (CACC) Championship Alan McColl again won the Formula Ford title, in his Tiga FF77, for the 3rd straight year. He won 6 of the 8 races this past season. The only driver to beat him this year was Rick Payne at the 1st race weekend of the season back in April. In addition to his wins, Alan also set a new Formula Ford track record this year at Mission Raceway Park.

Alan McColl in his Tiga FF77 at Mission Raceway Park. Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette.

Over in the International Conference of Sports Car Clubs (ICSCC) Championship Vancouver’s James Hepburn, in his Crossle 35F, won the 2012 Club Ford Title. He captured 12 race wins this year out of the 15 races that make up the Championship. It was his 3rd Club Ford Title in the past 4 years and the 4th time he has won the Championship.

James Hepburn in his Crossle 35F at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, WA . Photo courtesy of Gerry Frechette.

Locally the 2012 race season at Mission Raceway Park provide some great racing action with some hard fought battles and wheel to wheel excitement. Here in B.C. we saw more cars entered in our local CACC races and we had several new drivers join our ranks. We welcomed Doug Floer and Steve Hocaluk to the group as both were new to the class. In addition we had drivers like Keith Robinson, Craig Archer, Rick Payne and Alan Long make a return to the class.

For 2013 we are looking forward to having even more drivers join us as Formula Ford in B.C. continues to grow. We have just recently announced a 45th Anniversary of Formula Ford Racing in B.C. feature race to be held as part of the 2013 B.C. Historic Motor Races (BCHMR) weekend this coming summer. This event should be very exciting as drivers from Western Canada and across the US Pacific Northwest are being invited to join us for an extraordinary weekend of Formula Ford racing. More details on this event will be posted on our website so I would invite you check back on the website for more information.