The biggest Formula Ford event of the season, the BRSCC Formula Ford Festival, is rapidly approaching. Entries close 14.10., and test sessions at Brands Hatch Indy prior to the race weekend commence the same day. The event seems to attact also Finnish drivers to attend this legendary event...
The Formula Ford Festival is of course a great event to show off talent in a group of drivers that truly represent the best in class. For Finnish drivers the challenge lies in that the main class is Duratecs and that few drivers still have solid experience with this engine/car. On the other hand, the Zetec class is alive and well, and serves as a good spring board for up-and-comers who want experience. Antti Buri with his second place last year in Zetecs, behind class dominating old-timer Neil Tofts, is a good example. However, despite his success in the Zetec last year, Antti has found that the British Formula Ford series is ultra competitive and he has thus had to pay his dues (although, to be fair, building his own team, running it, and being the driver plus having a new car has of course played a big part).
In discussions with various teams and drivers it seems the following Finns will be at Brands Hatch Indy racing against the best of the best: In Duratecs expect to see Antti Buri, and potentially Ville Kivinen. Rumors also circulate around Oskari Kurki-Suonio looking for a car. In Zetecs s2i Motorsport and Per Stenius have already confirmed their entry, but we expect to see Sebastian Nummi there also. No word from Janne Knuutinen, although of course it would be great to see the Finnish Champion present. Personally, seeing Janne in Zetecs would be very interesting, as I feel he could have a fair chance of winning that class. I am sure he would do good in Duratecs too, but having seen this seasons struggles of drivers who have switched (Antti Buri into Mtec, and recently at the Padborg Dansk Metal Formel Ford Festival, Ville Kivinen in a Van Diemen) the jump would be challenging.
All in all, it seems we will have a solid squad of FF drivers going to the UK. For those interested, it seems a reasonable estimate for a budget for the event is about 3800-5500€ (using the cheapest possible solution across all dimensions), but of course be enlisting with a pro UK team the costs can go much higher too (charges of 10000€ for the event have been mentioned).
Stay tuned, more to follow as we near the event!
