# Australian Formula Ford Championship

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Motor racing competition

Australian Formula Ford Championship Category Open Wheel Racing Formula Ford Country Australia Inaugural season 1970 Engine suppliers 1.6 litre Ford Duratec Tyre suppliers Yokohama Drivers' champion Kobi Williams Official website formulaford.com.au Current season

The **Australian Formula Ford Championship** is an Australian motor racing competition for drivers of [Formula Ford](/source/Formula_Ford) racing cars, held annually since 1970. From 1970 until 1992 it was a national series and from 1993 until 2013 the series was sanctioned by the [Confederation of Australian Motor Sport](/source/Confederation_of_Australian_Motor_Sport) as the Australian Formula Ford Championship.[1] From 2014[2] to 2018[3] it reverted to national series status. The Australian Formula Ford Championship name was then applied to the series by the Formula Ford Association from 2019.[4]

Australian Formula Ford is renowned for producing future champions in other categories with many [V8 Supercar](/source/V8_Supercar) drivers and Australian international open-wheeler drivers having had a background in the category.

## History

The Formula Ford category was established in Great Britain in 1967 and two years later Australia's first Formula Ford race was staged at the [Sandown](/source/Sandown_Raceway) circuit in [Victoria](/source/Victoria_(Australia)).[5] A national series was contested in Australia for the first time in 1970 and then annually through to 1992. In the following year the series was granted national title status by CAMS and officially became the Australian Formula Ford Championship.[6] After having powered Australian Formula Fords since the introduction of the category, the [1600cc Ford "Kent" engine](/source/Ford_Kent_engine#Crossflow) was replaced by the third-generation [Ford Fiesta unit](/source/Ford_Duratec_engine) for the 2006 Australian Championship.[7] The "Kent" powered cars continued to be raced in various State championships under the "Formula Ford 1600" category name.[8]

The series has served as a stepping stone for many Australian racing drivers who have gone on to greater things in motor racing both in Australia and overseas. Notably, 1971 winner [Larry Perkins](/source/Larry_Perkins) went on to race in the [Formula One World Championship](/source/Formula_One) and other winners [Russell Ingall](/source/Russell_Ingall), [Craig Lowndes](/source/Craig_Lowndes), [Garth Tander](/source/Garth_Tander) and [Jamie Whincup](/source/Jamie_Whincup) have each gone on to claim [V8 Supercar](/source/V8_Supercar) titles. Other graduates of Australian Formula Ford include [Brad Jones](/source/Brad_Jones_(racing_driver)), [Marcos Ambrose](/source/Marcos_Ambrose), [Tomas Mezera](/source/Tomas_Mezera), [Jason Bright](/source/Jason_Bright), [Steven Richards](/source/Steven_Richards), [David Besnard](/source/David_Besnard), [Will](/source/Will_Davison) and [Alex Davison](/source/Alex_Davison), and nine-time [Formula One](/source/Formula_One) race winner [Mark Webber](/source/Mark_Webber_(racing_driver)) finished third in the F1 World championship on three occasions.

Formula Ford has also proven a popular proving ground for Australian racing car manufacturers. In its early years the series was dominated by Australian designs from [Elfin Sports Cars](/source/Elfin_Sports_Cars), [Bowin Cars](/source/Bowin_Cars), Mawer and [Birrana](/source/Birrana). 1987 to 1997 was dominated by the British marque [Van Diemen](/source/Van_Diemen), winning eleven straight titles. The streak was broken in 1998 by Australian marque Spectrum, built by [Borland Racing Developments](/source/Borland_Racing_Developments). Van Diemen faded in the mid-2000s and Australian grids are now almost exclusively filled with Spectrums and French made [Mygales](/source/Mygale).

Once mainly the domain of competitor self-run teams, the modern series is dominated by professional racing teams. [Sonic Motor Racing Services](/source/Sonic_Motor_Racing_Services) and Synergy Motorsport both field multi-car teams, while some of those and Spectrum works team [Borland Racing Developments](/source/Borland_Racing_Developments) also compete in the Victorian Formula Ford championship.

## Australian Formula Ford Series

In August 2013 the [Confederation of Australian Motor Sport](/source/Confederation_of_Australian_Motor_Sport) announced that the Australian Formula Ford Championship would be discontinued at the end of 2013.[9] The Formula Ford Association subsequently announced that approval had been obtained from CAMS to organize a national series for 2014.[10] It was contested over six rounds and was officially known as the Australian Formula Ford Series.[11] "Kent" powered cars were re-introduced for the 2014 series.[12]

During the 2016 season, the championship ran one event at a race meeting sanctioned by the Australian Auto Sport Alliance. [AASA]

In 2017, the Queensland round was run at a "RACERS' sanctioned race meeting.

For 2018 four of the seven rounds will be run at CAMS sanctioned race meetings, two at the AASA sanctioned "AMRS" series, and one at Queensland Raceway again.

The winner of the Australian Formula Ford Series was awarded a "golden ticket" to the INDYCAR [Road to Indy](/source/Road_to_Indy) Shootout, provided the driver is age-eligible per INDYCAR regulations. If the winner is ineligible (as was the case in 2016 because of age), the driver highest in points eligible for the award will claim the prize. The 2018 Australian Formula Ford winner won the Shootout, and was awarded a 2019 USF2000 ride fully funded by the promoters.

Now the winner is awarded a test in a current gen DJR supercar.

## State championships

Formula Ford has also proved to be a very popular category for state level series and championships, including competitions held in [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales_Formula_Ford_Championship), Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and [South Australia](/source/South_Australian_Formula_Ford_Championship). In the majority these championships continue to utilise the first-generation [Ford Kent engine](/source/Ford_Kent_engine). State level series have served as a stepping stone for kart racers looking for a cheap entry level into circuit racing before moving into the national series. State series often provided additional cars to the national series.

## Series winners and Australian Champions

### National Series

[John Leffler](/source/John_Leffler) won the [1973 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series](/source/1973_TAA_Formula_Ford_Driver_to_Europe_Series) driving a Bowin P4a and a [Bowin P6F](/source/Bowin_P6F) (pictured)

The [Reynard](/source/Reynard_Motorsport) FF83 with which [Tomas Mezera](/source/Tomas_Mezera) won the 1985 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series

Season Series name Series winner[13] Car 1970 Formula Ford National Series Richard Knight Elfin 600 FF 1971 National Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Larry Perkins Elfin 600 FF 1972 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Bob Skelton Bowin P4a 1973 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series John Leffler Bowin P4a & Bowin P6F 1974 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Terry Perkins Elfin 620FF & Titan 1975 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Paul Bernasconi Mawer 004 1976 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Richard Carter Birrana F73 1977 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series John Smith Bowin P4A 1978 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series John Wright Bowin P4A 1979 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Russell Norden Mawer 004 1980 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Stephen Brook Lola T440 1981 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Phillip Revell Lola T440 1982 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Jeff Summers Elfin 620B 1983 Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Bruce Connolly Galloway & Van Diemen 1984 Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Ron Barnacle Royale RP31 1985 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Tomas Mezera Reynard FF83[14] Elwyn 003 1986 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Warwick Rooklyn Elwyn 003 1987 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Peter Verheyen Van Diemen RF86 1988 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series David Roberts Van Diemen RF86 1989 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Mark Larkham Van Diemen RF89 1990 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Russell Ingall Van Diemen RF90 1991 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Troy Dunstan Van Diemen RF91 1992 Motorcraft Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series Cameron McConville Van Diemen RF92

### Australian Formula Ford Championship

Garry Jacobson (Mygale SJ08a) at the opening round of the 2011 Championship

Season Champion[13] Car 1993 Craig Lowndes Van Diemen RF93 1994 Steven Richards Van Diemen RF94 1995 Jason Bright Van Diemen RF95 1996 David Besnard Van Diemen RF96 1997 Garth Tander Van Diemen RF95 1998 Adam Macrow Spectrum 06 1999 Greg Ritter Mygale SJ98 2000 Luke Youlden Mygale SJ2000 2001 Will Davison Van Diemen RF01 2002 Jamie Whincup Van Diemen RF01 2003 Neil McFadyen Stealth Van Diemen RF94 2004 David Reynolds Van Diemen RF04 2005 Daniel Elliott Van Diemen RF05 2006 John Martin Spectrum 011 2007 Tim Blanchard Mygale SJ07A 2008 Paul Laskazeski Spectrum 011b 2009 Nick Percat Mygale SJ07A 2010 Chaz Mostert Spectrum 012 2011 Cam Waters Mygale SJ10A 2012 Jack Le Brocq Mygale SJ12A 2013 Anton de Pasquale Mygale SJ13A

### Australian Formula Ford Series

Season Series winner Car 2014 Thomas Randle[15] Mygale SJ13A 2015 Cameron Hill Mygale SJ10A 2016 Leanne Tander Mygale SJ10A 2017 Max Vidau Mygale SJ10A 2018 Hunter McElrea Mygale SJ10A

### Australian Formula Ford Championship

Season Champion Car 2019 Angelo Mouzouris[16] Mygale SJ18A 2020 Not contested[17] 2021 Thomas Sargent Mygale SJ13A 2022 Valentino Astuti[18] Mygale SJ15A 2023 Matthew Hillyer Mygale SJ18A 2024 Eddie Beswick Spectrum 014 2025 Kobi Williams Spectrum 012b

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Australian Titles, 2016 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, as archived at web.archive.org"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160123221648/http://docs.cams.com.au/Manual/About/AC06-Titles-Australian-2016-1.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://docs.cams.com.au/Manual/About/AC06-Titles-Australian-2016-1.pdf) (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [*2014 Australian Formula Ford Series Sporting Regulations*, docs.cams.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20150109233929/http://docs.cams.com.au/Manual/SportingRegulations/2014/2014%20Australian%20Formula%20Ford%20Series%20Sporting%20Regulations%20-%20Version%201.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [2018 FFA NATIONAL FORMULA FORD SERIES SPORTING REGULATIONS, formulaford.org.au, as archived at web.archive.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20180921231752/https://formulaford.org.au/Portals/0/pdf%20files/2018%20AFFC%20Sporting%20Regs%20rev2.compressed.pdf?ver=2018-04-07-151432-567)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["2019 Australian Formula Ford Association Championship Sporting Regulations, formulaford.org.au, as archived at web.archive.org"](https://formulaford.org.au/Portals/0/NATIONAL/DOCUMENTS/2019%20AFFC%20Sporting%20Regs-V6.pdf?ver=2019-03-29-202825-743) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190510101222/https://formulaford.org.au/Portals/0/NATIONAL/DOCUMENTS/2019%20AFFC%20Sporting%20Regs-V6.pdf?ver=2019-03-29-202825-743) (PDF) from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [History](http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_history.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091013090744/http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_history.php) 13 October 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved from www.formulaford.com.au on 25 September 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [CAMS Manual of Motor Sport > About CAMS > Australian Titles](http://www.camsmanual.com.au/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090503070858/http://www.camsmanual.com.au/) 3 May 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved from www.camsmanual.com.au on 25 September 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [What is Formula Ford](http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_keyfacts.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091122094156/http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_keyfacts.php) 22 November 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved from www.formulaford.com.au on 25 September 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [A quick Overview of Kent Formula Ford](http://www.formulaford1600.com.au/TECHNICAL/tech1600.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091013164533/http://www.formulaford1600.com.au/TECHNICAL/tech1600.htm) 13 October 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved from www.formulaford1600.com.au on 25 September 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [National Formula Ford Championship to be axed, Tuesday 27 August 2013, www.speedcafe.com](https://speedcafe.com/Australian-formula-ford-championship-to-be-axed/) Retrieved on 11 October 2013

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [2014 Formula Ford National Series is all go, 8 November 2013, formulaford.org.au](http://formulaford.org.au/news/tabid/88/entryid/29/2014-Formual-Ford-National-Series-is-all-go.aspx) Retrieved on 27 November 2013

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*2014 Australian Formula Ford Series Sporting Regulations*, formulaford.org.au](http://formulaford.org.au/Portals/0/2014%20Australian%20Formula%20Ford%20Series%20Sporting%20Regulations%20-%20Version%201.pdf) Retrieved on 28 April 2014

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** *Formula Future Locked*, The Racing Magazine, Number 11, Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd, page 6

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Records_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Records_13-1) [Records & Stats](http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_records.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061218024940/http://www.formulaford.com.au/content/about_records.php) 18 December 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved from www.formulaford.com.au on 26 September 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Reynard Owners Listings](http://www.reynardowners.com/listings.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171217085420/http://www.reynardowners.com/listings.html) 17 December 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved on 24 August 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [*2014 Australian FORMULA FORD SERIES*, formulaford.org.au, as archived at web.archive.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20150109223423/http://formulaford.org.au/Portals/0/Entry%20Forms/2014/National%20Series/Copy%20of%202014%20AFFS%20Pointscore%20after%20round%206%20final.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["2019 Pointscores, Australian Formula Ford Championship, www.formulaford.org.au, as archived at web.archive.org"](https://www.formulaford.org.au/pointscores). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200112025620/https://www.formulaford.org.au/pointscores) from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Mat Coch, COVID claims Australian Formula Ford Championship, Tuesday 15th September 2020, www.speedcafe.com, as archived at web.archive.org"](https://speedcafe.com/covid-claims-Australian-formula-ford-championship/). 15 September 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200916124029/https://www.speedcafe.com/2020/09/15/covid-claims-Australian-formula-ford-championship/) from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Thomas, Miles (30 October 2022). ["VALENTINO ASTUTI SECURES THE 2022 FORMULA FORD SERIES TITLE"](https://autoaction.com.au/2022/10/30/valentino-astuti-secures-the-2022-formula-ford-series-title). *Auto Action*. Retrieved 9 March 2023.

## External links

v t e Formula Ford British Formula Ford Championship 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 BRSCC National FF1600 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 U.S. F2000 National Championship 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2010 2011 (Winterfest) 2012 (Winterfest) 2013 (Winterfest) 2014 (Winterfest) 2015 (Winterfest) 2016 2017 F1600 Championship Series 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 F2000 Championship Series 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Australian Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Australian Formula Ford Championship 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 '2026’ Australian Formula Ford Series 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Engines Ford Kent Zetec (as of 1993) Duratec (as of 2006) EcoBoost (as of 2012) Pinto (F2000) Other Honda Fit (F1600) Mazda MZR (USF2000 as of 2010) Notable current and former constructors Alexis Bowman Carbir Citation Crosslé Eagle Elden Hawke Lola Lotus March Merlyn Mygale Palliser-Winkelmann Ray Reynard Royale Spectrum Swift Swift Cooper Tiga Titan Van Diemen Vector Formula Ford Festival Formula Ford EuroCup New Zealand Formula Ford Championship List of Dutch & Benelux Formula Ford champions Sports 2000 Pacific F2000

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Australian Formula Ford Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Formula_Ford_Championship) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Formula_Ford_Championship?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.