21 replies to this topic

[megaquick]

What a superb site, I have just been from page 1 to page 31 on the Nostalgia forum, I have been involved in motorsport since the eighties, here is a pic of one of my not so good moments, Steve Stobart is the guy that rolled on top of me TWICE, smashing my lid and breaking my elbow, Steve & I started the race at Pembrey at the front both over shot the hairpin, rejoined at the back and were back at the front when this happened. John Gaisford took a 12 shot sequence of the accident which adorned the wall of the old bar at Thruxton for years. I have heaps of pics from years of FF1600 amongst others and loads of great memories, look forward to chatting to some old rivals. I will send the pic and others as soon as my website genius comes round and shows me how..... Nigel FH.

[llmaurice]

I reckon you are Nigel F.H. from Milton Keynes ?
If so , are you playing in Classic FF2000 this season . Chris will be delighted if you are .
Regards, Maurice

[megaquick]

How the devil are you Maurice, I am going to be out in FF2000 this year and also may be driving the Pink Panther in 1600's, regards to Chris and I will certainly see you both this year.

[Rapid Rupert]

Dare I say the pic is taken at the penultimate round of the 1991 Midtherm Flue Systems, 74-80 Formula Ford 1600 Championship?

[megaquick]

September 15th 1991 and this is how it started,
Steve was behind me when I dived out from behind Barry Lowe who as you can see got his air filter knocked off and nearly his head, I was so close to Barry I watched his throttle shut & dived to the left, Steve hit him went over the top and got me twice, I can remember seeing the Van Diemen coming out of the sky at me and thinking I wish I was at home playing Scalextric, we were both very lucky, anyway how did you know the race !!!!

[megaquick]

[llmaurice]

To Megaquick
Nigel ,the Andy Powell RP26 is one beautifully prepared car . Hope you don't convince Andy to paint it in your old 26 colours ! Look forward to some good company during the season .

[Alan Cox]

Welcome, Nigel. Good to see another racer joining the Forum. Incidentally, if you wish to delete your previous postings which feature the wrong photo, you only have to click on the "Edit/delete post" button at the bottom right of your post and you can remove them to clear up the thread.

[megaquick]

Maurice, have you any idea how long that paint job took me and at the cars first appearance I was trying to slip past a Mr Kestenbaum at the end of the straight at Snett and hit his gearbox damaging the nose, that's when it became apparent that 52 colours on the car was not such a great idea and I actually hated it once I had finished it. Alan thanks for showing me how to get rid of those pics, I have added one of the multi coloured RP26 and a lovely couple of shots from Castle Coombe where I lead for 5 laps before Richard Peacock wanted my bit of track & took it putting me in the longest grass & weeds, so long I couldn't find my way out till the Marshalls came to me, fabulous picture of one of the best Classic Formula Ford drivers ever looking over my shoulder, Peter Ecclestone and another top driver Malcolm Barfoot. Get some pics on here people, I am hooked now.

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Originally posted by megaquick
Maurice, have you any idea how long that paint job took me and at the cars first appearance I was trying to slip past a Mr Kestenbaum at the end of the straight at Snett and hit his gearbox damaging the nose, that's when it became apparent that 52 colours on the car was not such a great idea and I actually hated it once I had finished it. Alan thanks for showing me how to get rid of those pics, I have added one of the multi coloured RP26 and a lovely couple of shots from Castle Coombe where I lead for 5 laps before Richard Peacock wanted my bit of track & took it putting me in the longest grass & weeds, so long I couldn't find my way out till the Marshalls came to me, fabulous picture of one of the best Classic Formula Ford drivers ever looking over my shoulder, Peter Ecclestone and another top driver Malcolm Barfoot. Get some pics on here people, I am hooked now.

Wow, Peacock and Barfoot, my two messiahs' both mentioned on the same post.
Hi Nigel, it's nice to see another old timer getting hooked on TNF.

Take a look at the Personal photos of British club racing thread. There are quite a few FF photos within it.
EDITED
And lo and behold you've already found it.

[Jape]

By using search this topic title was the closest I got, I hope you don't mind that I continue this.

I've been wondering how people are able to continue racing nowadays with old FF Kents and Zetecs. Where you guys can buy the new spare parts for the chassis and engines from 80's and 90's? I thought that some of the chassis manufactures from old days are either gone out of business many years ago or are just not manufacturing spare parts for cars that are 30-15 years old.

[llmaurice]

By using search this topic title was the closest I got, I hope you don't mind that I continue this.

I've been wondering how people are able to continue racing nowadays with old FF Kents and Zetecs. Where you guys can buy the new spare parts for the chassis and engines from 80's and 90's? I thought that some of the chassis manufactures from old days are either gone out of business many years ago or are just not manufacturing spare parts for cars that are 30-15 years old.

Fortunately,amongst the various sharks that dwell in the Classic single seater river there are also some very good guys that will repair almost any tubular chassis
for not ridiculous money.To name but two (there are many more )Ken From Universal Racing Service here in Norfolk and Peter Denne up north of Peterborough both keep a large number of Classic FF1600 and 2000 men out there week after after week and can also fabricate almost anything relating to suspension for earlier and even later cars .
Engines are getting more difficult these days because both the Kent and the Pinto are long out of production and although recent moves allow non Ford steel cranks in 1600 motors ,the good old Pinto parts have to be sourced second hand from breakers but most of the "old" Motor Specialists such as Scholar and others still keep our cars out there.
The only problem with period transmissions is really the CWP as gears etc are still available.
Both classes are administered by BARC and HSCC and I'm pleased to say that Classic FF1600 numbers are on the increase thanks largely to past and current secretaries keeping the fold together and doing regular write ups etc.

[David McKinney]

Very helpful, Mo, but I'm not sure how helpful for the enquirer, whose profile gives his address as Helsinki

[RonPohl]

For some reason, there does not seem to be to much interest at TNF in formula fords. Here in the U.S. the aftermarket parts including aluminum heads got so out of hand that the formula has essentialed ended(although still active in vintage). It is now called "formula f" but the "f" stands for the 1500 cc Honda fit engine which is now allowed. The end of a great formula- although personally I think that the slick tire - which came into use here in the early'70s -made the car over tired for the horsepower.

[E1pix]

I hear you, Ron, severe waning of one great class in the '70s and '80s especially!

Certainly not dead, though, as it sounds in your quote, the Runoffs still host a good field. But the days of 99 cars starting the June Sprints, like in 1975 or '76 IIRC, are gone forever.

[Gatmo]

Nice photo E1pix!

If Classic Formula Ford is your thing, my Facebook page "Heroes of FF1600" may keep you entertained for a wee while. You don't have to be a Facebook member to view the pics nor do you need to sign in to the page if you are not into social media

[E1pix]

Thanks, would Love to but can't seem to get there from here.

Link please?


It'd be great to keep this thread going, too!

Edited by E1pix, 26 May 2012 - 21:06.

[Gatmo]

Try this...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pag...00/125814725266

[E1pix]

Awesome, Gatmo, Thanks!

[Gatmo]

No problem, spread the word over your side of the world....

[JacnGille]

Nice photo E1pix!

[alansart]

For some reason, there does not seem to be to much interest at TNF in formula fords. Here in the U.S. the aftermarket parts including aluminum heads got so out of hand that the formula has essentialed ended(although still active in vintage). It is now called "formula f" but the "f" stands for the 1500 cc Honda fit engine which is now allowed. The end of a great formula- although personally I think that the slick tire - which came into use here in the early'70s -made the car over tired for the horsepower.

Some of us like it

Historic and Classic Formula Ford seem to be doing reasonably well in the UK despite the current economic climate. This is the last Classic FF1600 race at Brands Hatch.

http://www.youtube.c...eature=youtu.be

Pre 82 cars tend to be fairly straightforward to maintain. Simple suspension and not many fancy castings that came with the later cars. Some parts may not always be readily available but there's generally someone who knows where they can be sourced from or made to order at reasonable cost.