Prospective entrants into the 2013 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain got a chance to try out the new Formula Ford EcoBoost 200 chassis during the series’ Sampler Day at Silverstone.
Twenty-two drivers got a run out around the Stowe circuit, including 2012 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner Jake Dennis, who tested the car on behalf of the Racing Steps Foundations.
Experienced Formula Ford runners tried out the new car too, including 2012 competitors George Blundell, Luke Williams and Fred Martin-Dye, and former Scholarship class winner Dan Cammish.
Series newcomer Luke Whitworth was also out on track, joined by Ginetta GT Supercup race-winner Andrew Richardson, Formula Renault BARC racer Jack Dex, 2012 Ginetta Junior runner-up Sennan Fielding and American racer Colette Davis.
Davis wasn’t the only overseas driver to travel over for the day, with South African Aidan de Nobrega, Argentinian Juan Rossi and Finland’s Atte Lehtonen also getting a run out.
As well as getting some on-track running, drivers were able to talk with Ford designers and engineers about the new car, gain presentation tips from ITV4 presenter Louise Goodman, undertake a fitness test with Prodrive’s driver performance division and learn about the MSA Academy’s Performance Master Classes from BTCC driver Tom Onslow-Cole.
“It has been fantastic, and we have been overwhelmed with interest,” said Ford Racing motorsport manager Mike Norton. “We have had representatives of professional teams – big teams and well-known ones – including several contesting other BTCC package championships, as well as drivers from all corners of the globe. It’s been an absolutely fabulous day.”
