Open wheeler racing in Aust

[Nafe]

There is no way Formula-R will ever be as fast or professional as Formula-3, but most of the cars are older repowered or restricted Formula 3's, so I can understand how the comparison occurs. If Formula-R can attract new drivers into open wheelers and away from sedans and cartoon cars, I reckon it can only be a good thing.

Exactly why the comparison made by Mr Robinson is so ludicrous. It's just more AASA vs CAMS petty squabbling bullshit.

[Nero]

FA may be a dead end, but F3000 is dead.

Yep true, but I always found it more interesting than F3 for some reason.

[Old Major]

Yep true, but I always found it more interesting than F3 for some reason.

Big tyres, big power. I liked the Formula Holden (F3000 chassis with Holden/Buick V6) for this reason, so the Cosworth DFV powered cars must have been awesome.

[gxxr]

They will run these cars with the existing F3 motors but with a smaller restrictor, until the engines need rebuilding and then they will replace the motors with a dirt cheap 2L Golf motors.

Engines may be cheap.... and I wonder why Golf engines specifically, integrating them may not be an inexpensive proposition I suspect.

[Old Major]

Engines may be cheap.... and I wonder why Golf engines specifically, integrating them may not be an inexpensive proposition I suspect.

I believe the Golf motors were chosen for a few reasons.

The first is because most of the Formula 2 cars run Golf motors, but in a 1.6L 2V/cylinder form. Changing the motor to a 2.0L 4V/cylinder Golf motor meant all of the mounting and plumbing could be left unchanged.

The second reason is because the engine can be used as a stressed member. This is required in the Dallaras as the suspension hangs of the back of the motor.

Thirdly, VW Golf motors and parts are readily available and cheap. I believe the only non oem parts of the engine are fasteners and the pistons.


They are doing the the complete integration including motor and accesories for $15K.
http://www.formula-robertson.com/index.php/engineering

[dirtyrex]

Thread from the dead...

Doesn't look like the formula robertson took off (google didn't see it).

Can you race an F3 locally or is the only series they're good for the national one? I take it you could do a lease with a few teams? Anyone here know a heap about it?

[Nafe]

If you're semi-serious, contact Richard Craill at richard@race-torque.com - he's on the F3 Board and will be able to answer any question you like.

There's a couple of cars around for sale, there's an F302 updated to 304 specs that Mat Radisich used to run with TanderSport, its aorund $45k atm and eligible for the National Class. Rookies in the National Class can compete for the Forpark Australia scholarship which is $50k to the winner.

My 105 ad -> http://www.my105.com/ListingDetails/...2/Default.aspx

Else you can lease a drive with people like BRM or R-Tek - a top line lease is around $15k per round including stuff like tyres, data engineer, transport etc etc

[dirtyrex]

Thanks Nafe. So the national class runs the same rounds but they're just allocated different points I take it.

$15k a round isn't cheap... I've spent a couple $M with Volvo Trucks this year - might hit them up for some sponsorship and see what I can afford to run.

[Nafe]

$15k a round gets you into a top level team though, with a topline car like R-Tek and James Winslow, or Team BRM who ran 2010 Champ Ben Barker or current GP3 driver Mitch Evans. BRN have 4 cars for Bathurst next year and 7 drivers wanting to drive.

That said, if you buy a car for $45k, then add a transporter, spares, tyres, data engineer, mechanic, gopher etc, it does start to add up too. Just depends on how your funding is arranged (per round, or yearly lump sum etc). I think Tom Tweedie's 304 is also still for sale around the $60k mark, and it took outright wins last year against the newer 307 models. Not to mention the 304 is eligible to run at Bathurst next year.....

F3 just ran at Morgan Park the other weekend, and will be down at Sandown in a couple of weeks time. If you speak to Richard, let him know I referred you, he's a good mate of mine as we both do all the Shannons Nationals rounds.

[gxxr]

If you're content with what some might consider banger F3s and a large number of seconds off nationals pace, NSW state series have split from the 'name only' 2C grid - only a handful of cars. Grid at national level doesn't require more than two hands either though.

[Nero]

yep the 'wings and slicks' group in NSW. Good racing and probably around $1-1.5k per round. Good way to find your feet in such a car and work out if you want to chase the big boys. Realistically I think it would take a couple of years to get speed, either that or plenty of private testing.

[Old Major]

Thread from the dead...

Doesn't look like the formula robertson took off (google didn't see it).

Can you race an F3 locally or is the only series they're good for the national one? I take it you could do a lease with a few teams? Anyone here know a heap about it?

Formula Robertson is now part of the NSW Racing Cars Championship.


http://www.frca.net.au/about-frca/regs.html
(iii) 1st category racing cars originally constructed as Australian Formula 2 or FIA Formula 3 that carry a CAMS logbook having been re-engined in accordance with Formula R technical specifications as lodged with FRCA.

[Nero]

Yes I (Race Magazine) have the naming rights for that series and Greg Muddle is the man to make enquiries of. I've spoken to a dozen of the drivers and they seem a very level headed bunch intent on having a good time. Costs are low for the class or car baring accidents and you do not need the latest car to win.

[0x2DLVR]

Most affordable and closest thing to open wheeler with a decent amount of competition would have to be Radials.

[Nero]

No, check the costs...a F3 car is cheaper assuming you are not running nationals. They are still quick enough...I suspect they would be faster too.