Tom McArthur took a pair of outstanding wins in the final two races of the HSCC’s Historic Formula Ford 1600 Championship supported by Barnett Race Engines. All the hot track action was behind him. The big battle on Saturday centred on a pack from second to fifth separated at the line by just half a second with Mads Gravsen and Simon Toyne joining Tom on the podium.
Tom again dominated race two, this time followed by Spencer Shinner and Danny Stanzl who were being chased down by a rapidly closing Chris Porritt charging from the back of the grid. Behind them five cars crossed the line within a single second. It was Formula Ford at its frenetic best.
After the racing the BRDC Suite hosted the gathering for the awards, with £6000 worth of prizes going to the lucky winners from sponsors Barnett Race Engines, Weller Wheels, Avon Race Tyres and Universal Racing Services.
The overall champion was 21-year-old Spencer Shinner (receiving £500 Barnett Engines voucher); second Christian Goller (receiving £350 Barnett engine voucher) and third Ross Drybrough (receiving £150 Barnett engine voucher). For the first time since its inception ten years ago, Ross was the first man on the overall podium to also win the Radio Caroline Over 50’s class. Second in Over 50 was Mark Wilkes very, very close behind, with Chris Porritt only one point away in third. The Over 50’s represents 70% of the grid on most occasions and is another great element of HFF.
Series co-ordinators Alan Jones and Chris Sharples were thanked by everyone for their slick organisation and Josh Barnett and his father Neil presented prize draws with a £3500 Barnett Race Engine rebuild going to Mark Wilkes, the set of wheels by Les Weller to Westie Mitchell and Avon tyre prizes to racers Mads Gravsen, Danny Stanzl and Cormac Flanagan. The URS £200 voucher prize went to Spencer Shinner who was then presented with the enormous and very shiny Merlyn Trophy for the most wins in a Merlyn.
Heading towards 2025 Historic Formula Ford will continue to build with new cars arriving and many old friends returning to the championship. Then, planning will begin for the big 60th anniversary of FF in 2027. Obviously, the July Brands Hatch meeting will be key but all drivers will be asked for ideas on the calendar in this very special year. Since 1967 Formula Ford has been the launch pad for many racing careers.
This it still does in a small way. HFF allows those on a small budget at any age to experience real racing with the more experienced drivers teaching them respect and technique in a great and friendly environment. Everyone hopes that Spencer stays in the category but he might be another competitor who goes on to bigger things. As he says, he’s had a very good founding to do just that. With help from the sponsors, the HFF fraternity will continue racing, respecting and having fun.