Formula Ford deserves better — Letters

Thoroughly enjoyed John Oreovicz’s November issue article on American icons [America’s golden greats]. My father covered auto racing in the ’60s and ’70s for a local newspaper at [Pennsylvania’s] Langhorne, Trenton and Nazareth. He started taking me to Langhorne in 1963 and went every year until the track closed in 1971. We got to see Foyt, Andretti and Jones race there along with other great drivers of that era. Unfortunately I never got to see Gurney race but did see him do a lap of the original Watkins Glen road course in 2001 when he was the grand marshall for the Grand Prix Festival. Lee Holman, son of John Holman, was the passenger.

Oreovicz is spot on saying each driver had their strengths and no one driver is the greatest. But I don’t agree with his assessment of Larson – Tony Stewart is much closer to them than Larson will ever be. Hope to see more from John in the future – maybe a comparison of Ruby, Ward and Hurtubise, all multi-talented. Motor Sport is the best publication for current and past racing!

Jim Kupstas, Shavertown, Pennsylvania, US

Once again the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch provided some superb single-seater action and while no longer quite so Ford-centric as it was in the heyday nonetheless it made one realise just how much racecraft can be learnt in these cars, and the wide variety of audience that they attract.

Congratulations to the BRSCC for their efforts this year, aided and abetted by the irrepressible Graham Fuller (ex-Minister Racing Engines) for persuading the organisers to recognise the success of one of the nicest guys in motor racing, Gerrit van Kouwen. The GvK 200 Formula Ford Festival was made very special through all their hard work as it celebrated 40 years since Gerrit took the laurels.

Not to be outdone, last weekend James Beckett’s love for the formula was showcased brilliantly at Silverstone, nail-biting to the end. The Walter Hayes Trophy was thankfully dry and provided the crowd to a superb display of driving with the youngsters held honest by some of the more seasoned campaigners – something you will never see in the current Junior formulae, unfortunately.

With such entertainment it is surprising that Motorsport UK and the FIA seem to believe that the starting point for a single-seat racing career will cost you £250,000 a year in their ladder of opportunity, while there is little promotion of the excellence we have seen in the last two weekends.

Andrew Crighton, Pewsey, Wiltshire

James Elson’s piece on the impact of red flags on the São Paulo GP [F1’s worst rule ruins a race again: up and down in Brazil, online] did not go far enough. A red flag stops the race. As such, it should stop all racing activity. During the red flag period no work should be allowed on any cars. A red flag should not be a free pitstop. No one should be allowed to touch a car to make any repairs, adjustments or replacements.

John Tuleibitz, Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA

Your inspiring photograph of Colin McRae and advice “If in doubt… flat out” [Motor Sport cover, December] brought back a very happy memory. I found myself in Hong Kong in 1993 when the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally was about to start. Subaru had hired a major shopping centre where both Colin McRae and Ari Vatanen were signing autographs. I mentioned that I would be reading the report of the rally in a certain weekly motor racing magazine. “So will I,” said Ari Vatanen before signing off with, “Go flat out, Michael.”

Two years later, I went out on a date. I mentioned to the lady, Hazel, that I had met Colin McRae and Ari Vatanen. To my astonishment she replied that she had met Ari Vatanen at an early morning breakfast after the Australian Southern Cross Rally and they had sat opposite each other. My life was to change – Hazel and I have now been married for nearly 28 years.

Not as long as Motor Sport has been in print, though – belated congratulations on your 100th anniversary!

Michael Ward, Macclesfield

I bought my first Motor Sport issue in 1978 while in the UK, and fell in love with Formula 1 and Niki Lauda in the Brabham-Alfa BT46. I have been buying this great magazine ever since and still follow F1, never missing a race.

I have recently been helping a friend build a fantastic Scalextric track so we had to have a Motor Sport magazine corner with my new BT46 going through it. Slot cars and track-building are great fun for all ages but especially it seems for middle-aged men… Keep up the great work. Go Liam Lawson!

Don Service, Christchurch, New Zealand

Contact us…

18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE
email: [email protected]