The championship was set up by former Grand Prix driver Jonathan Palmer as a less expensive alternative to Formula Three for young drivers aiming towards a future in Formula One. It used identical-specification cars and a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine from Audi.

Palmer explained his key criteria when setting up Formula Palmer Audi. “Providing identical cars was important but what was critical to achieving the objective of high quality but low cost was to innovate and operate all the cars by just one team, which would apply exactly the same methodology to the running of the Van Diemen single-seater cars,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud of Formula Palmer Audi.  It provided hundreds of drivers with affordable, fair single seater racing to help their careers, as intended, and was run with total integrity for 13 years since the day it began.

“I conceived FPA because of my love of motor racing and respect for the efforts and ambitions of budding F1 drivers and their families, having been there myself with only funding that I could generate on my own.”

Justin Wilson won the first FPA title in 1998, and went on to win F3000, race in F1 and most recently win races in the United States. Other drivers to have raced in FPA on their way to F1 are former GP2 champion Giorgio Pantano and current McLaren test driver Gary Paffett. Other drivers to have raced in FPA earlier in their careers include triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, fellow WTCC driver Rob Huff, sportscar stars Darren Turner and Romain Dumas and A1GP champion Adam Carroll.

The Audi engine would prove to be incredibly reliable over the duration of the championship, with only two retirements attributed to the failure of an engine component. This was despite there being 260 races of the 13 years, with between 20 and 25 cars competing each time, covering almost 1.5 million racing miles.

“The power unit was carefully chosen,” said Palmer. “We wanted 250bhp with the greatest reliability, consistency and of course, low cost. The only way to achieve it was through a standard production engine and to keep the weight down, that meant it needed to be small capacity and turbocharged – an engine philosophy soon to reappear in Formula One.

“An evaluation of all such production engines identified Audi’s 1.8 litre 20 valve turbo unit as the most suitable. It was to prove an outstanding success and a great strength of FPA, particularly with Mountune’s development and management.”

Building upon the experience gained in running FPA, Palmer and MotorSport Vision went onto launch the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009. FPA has proved to be an effective feeder series for F2, with 2010 F2 runner-up Jolyon Palmer amongst those to have made the step up. The final ever FPA champion, Nigel Moore, was awarded with a £100,000 scholarship towards a drive in F2 in 2011.

Moore headed into the final weekend of the season at Silverstone second in the standings behind Maxime Jousse, younger brother of former F2 racer Julien. However, he came out on top after finishing second in both of Saturday’s races, before winning the final race on Sunday. Jousse only could only manage a best result of fourth all weekend, meaning he dropped to second in the standings.

Moore’s championship glory comes in his first season of racing single-seaters. He burst onto the racing scene by winning the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2007, before winning the Ginetta G50 Cup the following year. In 2009 he made his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ginetta in the LMP1 class, becoming the youngest ever British driver to compete in the legendary race. For 2010, Ginetta supported his entry into single-seaters. He is now set to embark on a Formula Two campaign next year, aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brit Dean Stoneman by winning the championship.

Moore said: “I”m still in absolutely shock! Heading to Silverstone there were five of us who could potentially take the title and just two points between me and Maxime Jousse. I knew it was going to do down to the wire in the last race and both Jousse and I had poor starts so I had to go all out to get the points. It’s an unbelievable feeling to have won this Championship and to now have the chance to take part in the Formula 2 Scholarship.”

Williams looked set for a good weekend after taking his maiden single seater win in the opening race. “I’d qualified for the first two races of the weekend in second place and I won the first, which was my first-ever win in a single-seater. said the Tavistock-based racer, speaking on thisisdevon.co.uk.

“In the second race, I didn’t get such a good start.” admits Jordan who chased the lead drivers along the Revett Straight. “I was pulling out to overtake Jousse and he swerved in front of me. I went up over his rear wheel, then my car went up into the air backwards.”

From there on it was a roller-coaster ride. “The rear of my car hit the ground and I did five barrel rolls, sliced through the fence at the side of the track and hit a bridge.”

“At that point, I would have been doing up to 155mph.” said Williams.

“While it was happening, I let go of the steering wheel, squeezed my knees together and closed my eyes.

He admits that his is lucky to walk away from the accident with no injuries. “I am one very lucky boy to walk away from it unhurt and I’m very lucky to be here and talking about it today.”

Despite the accident Williams got back in the car the next day. “I wasn’t actually worried about getting back in a car again. It took me five hours from the crash to do it.”

“The accident itself was really scary, because you don’t know where it’s going to end.”

“But what I was really disappointed with is that I potentially could have got four podiums from the four races.”

“After the first race, I was up to second place in the championship and now I’m down to sixth.”

“I’m still in with a chance of winning it, but that gap is now that much bigger.”

The first race of the weekend was dominated by Jordan Williams who took his first ever single seater victory followed by former sports car racer Nigel Moore, Jousse would have to settle for third place this time.

Race two would be a different matter, on the opening lap Williams was looking to make up lost time after being passed by Jousse on the start. As he chased second place along the Revett straight he used his boost button to close the gap; Jousse missed a gear at this point and made a desperate attempt to block Williams, moving over into the path of the 19-year-old. The huge speed differential left Williams nowhere to go other than in the back of Jousse’s car., which resulted in Williams being catapulted in to the air, in a similar to the accident to those seen in Valencia this weekend. The car would somersault five times and pass over the safety barrier, finally coming to rest on the banking near the bridge. Thankfully Williams would walk away from the incident unharmed.

See below for a video of the incident:

Jousse would take victory in the restarted second race followed by Moore who had finished on the podium in every race this season and Spaniard Ramon Pineiro.

The third race of the weekend would see Moore lose his podium run after being passed by Melroy Heemskerk and Jose Alonso Liste in the early stages, the fight for positions leaving Jousse out in front for his second win of the weekend.

Moore would have his first DNF of the season in the fourth and final race of the weekend after spinning out of second place at Riches corner in the early stages of the race. Despite continuing he was forced to retire from the race as a result of the damage sustained in the accident.

The podium for the fourth race would be the same as the previous race with Jousse leading home Heemskerk and Alonso Liste.

“It was a great weekend for me.” commented Maxime Jousse. “I wanted to finish each race on the podium, which would have been good for the championship, but to take three wins is fantastic. This championship is about being consistent and I feel that I am doing that.”

The three wins and Moore’s DNF means that Jousse now leads the championship by thirty nine points. Just five points cover third through to fifth in the standings.

The next round of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship takes place at Oulton Park on 24 July.

The thirty minute session on the Indy Circuit configuration of Brands Hatch would see championship favorite Maxime Jousse finished sixth fastest with Ginetta graduate Nigel Moore putting in an impressive performance to finish third.

Jousse explained after the session on formulapalmeraudi.com that he was wasn’t too worried about his pace today. “I am just working on the set-up for now,” he said. “Drivers who didn’t compete in the test at Snetterton are running on new tyres, whilst we’re using our set from that day. Therefore you cannot really pay too much attention to the times but I am happy so far.”

Giuseppe Cipriani ran well throughout the session recording the fourth fastest time of the afternoon despite running wide att Paddock Hill Bend on one lap dropping two wheels on to the gravel.

Ramon Pineriro, Howard Fuller and Ash Davies finished the session in seventh, eighth and ninth respectively, all three returning to the series for another year. Jorge Pescador rounded out the top ten while title contender Aaron Steele finished in eleventh place.

With just one second covering the top fourteen drivers they will be doing all they can to get what advantage they for tomorrow’s qualifying.

Matt Bell took the honours for first spin of the season as he ran wide in to Clearways and headed off to the gravel trap. Jordan Williams brought out the red flags in the closing stages of the session as he had an off at Druids.

Free Practice One Provisional Times

1. Jose Alonso Liste, 45.270s
2. Jordan Williams, 45.490s
3. Nigel Moore, 45.540s
4. Giuseppe Cipriani, 45.570s
5. Melroy Heemskerk, 45.600s
6. Maxime Jousse, 45.610s
7. Ramon Pineiro, 45.630s
8. Howard Fuller, 45.630s
9. Ash Davies, 45.680s
10. Jorge Pescador, 45.810s

With Frenchman Maxime Jousse and series returnee Aaron Steele heading the winter test sessions it’s looking to be a competitive season, especially with Nigel Moore, who has impressed many in testing, making his single seater debut.

Aaron Steele has already announced his intentions for the season ahead: “This is a tough championship and I’ll be following in the footsteps of some great drivers, but I’m determined to give everything I’ve got in an effort to win a place in Formula Two. This is such an important year for me on the road towards my ultimate goal of racing in Formula One.”

Other contenders for the podium over the year are likely to be Spainard Jose Alonso Liste along with British drivers Ash Davies and Howard Fuller who are all returning for a second season in FPA.

There is something for all for those that head along to Brand Hatch this weekend with the series set to race alongside Classic Sports Car Club Championships including the Jaguar Saloon Championship, CSCC Tin Tops and Magnificent Sevens.

Tickets for the Classic Sports Car Club featuring Formula Palmer Audi at Brands Hatch on 8/9 May are available from £10 for adults, with free entry for children ages 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.formulapalmeraudi.com.

Photo credit: FPA/James Bearne

Due to the volcanic ash cloud grounding most European flights at the time of the test (April 20) the one day – two session – test only saw a dozen of this year’s FPA class take to the 1.9 mile Norfolk venue, owned by FPA promoters Motorsport Vision (MSV).

FPA sophomore Jousse, the younger brother of Julien who ran in Formula Two – another MSV promoted series – last season set the fastest lap in the closing session of the day when the FPA’s engine “overboost” was enabled. His time of 1:05.440 was just two-hundredths faster than Briton Aaron Steele, returning to the main series for the first time since 2006.

The top three was completed by Nigel Moore (1:05.500), running with backing from sportscar manufacturer Ginetta. Moore, who raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2009 improved markedly during the day jumping up from sixth in the first session to third ahead of another big improved, Matt Bell who was eighth fastest in the morning session.

Bell and Jordan Williams were credited with identical times during the afternoon session and though nominally placed fourth and fifth fastest Williams took the small reward of having set the fastest non-overboost time of the test.

“I didn’t really know what to expect ahead of the test but I improved throughout the day, so I can be happy with my performance so far,” said Williams. “This was only a test of course, but I hope to be mixing it with the quicker guys when the season gets underway.”

The morning test had been a reversal of fortune with Steele narrowly edging Jousse for fastest lap by three-hundredths with a lap of 1:05.920 with just seven-tenths covering eleven of the twelve drivers present.

The apparently evenly matched drivers bode well for the thirteenth season of FPA, which starts with a triple-header weekend on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on May 8-9

Photo credit: Formula Palmer Audi

This move sees the youngster from Yorkshire making his open wheel formula debut in the series which offers the highest prize fund in any UK Motorsport, a £100,000 scholarship for the 2011 FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Moore will race in a series which has seen 9 drivers graduate into Formula 1 since it was set up by Jonathon Palmer in 1998, including Justin Wilson, as well as drivers like Andy Priaulx, who has since gone on to become a triple FIA World Touring Car Championship Champion. The series has also provided the springboard for drivers to move into other top line series internationally, such as the IRL, DTM, WTCC, FIA GT and the BTCC.

Moore, who in 2009 became the youngest British driver to compete at Le Mans, will exchange his Ginetta for a 1.8l, 300bhp turbocharged single seat race car, and will compete in 20 events between May and October.

“I’m just ecstatic to be given this chance by Lawrence and Jonathan. The driving talent to come up through FPA speaks for itself and there couldn’t be any bigger incentive to go all out for the title, than the chance to win an F2 scholarship for 2011. I can’t wait to test my new FPA car, the over boost feature is going to make for some very close racing and that’s just the kind of on-track action that I am best at!” was Moore’s reaction to the deal, and will race the normal Ginetta ‘orange’ and will race the number 6 Audi powered car – the same number as his Ginetta-Zytek LMP1 car.

The Chairman of Ginetta, Lawrence Tomlinson said about the announcement: “Formula Palmer Audi is a natural step for Nigel and I’m delighted that he will get the chance to prove his driving capabilities in such a high profile series. Jonathan and his team have established FPA as one of the best single-seater championships in Europe, as well as spawning some major talents and I am confident that Nigel will be a genuine contender for the title this year.”

Jonathon Palmer added: “The motorsport world has been well aware of Nigel’s considerable driving talents as he’s progressed through the Ginetta ladder over the past three years and I’m absolutely delighted to have a name of his calibre added to the 2010 line up. We’re delighted to be offering such an incredible prize for our 2010 drivers and I know Nigel is definitely going to be ‘one to watch’.”

Moore’s debut in the FPA Championship occurs at Brands Hatch over the 8^th and 9^th May.

Photo credit: FPA

Potential drivers will be given one-to-one tuition, a race mechanic and a data engineer during a two hour session a driver coach will be on hand to advise during the text.

The sessions will give the chance to those looking to join the 2010 FPA season uninterrupted track time in a non-pressurised environment.

A test at Bedford Autodrome consists of:

• Seat fit in workshop
• Sighting laps with driver coach
• Full FPA test – 2 or 3 hour options available
• Full de-brief and data analysis

How to get involved

A two hour test in an FPA car costs £950+VAT and a three hour test costs £1250+VAT. Further dates and information are available on request.

The 2010 Formula Palmer Audi Championship calendar and full package will be announced in the coming weeks, and the £50,000 scholarship prize towards a drive in the 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship is set to continue. By joining Formula Palmer Audi in 2010 and competing for the unique F2 scholarship prize you could quickly be on the ladder to Formula One.

Driver enquiries for testing and/or the 2010 Formula Palmer Audi Championship should be made to Chris Dredge. He can be contacted by phone on +44 (0)1234 332439 or by email on chris.dredge@formulapalmeraudi.com.

The Briton, who had previously won four consecutive races, could only muster at tenth, ninth and seventh at the weekend, and his championship rivals capitalised with good results of their own.

However, the title contenders (and even the FPA regulars) had to wait for their turn in the limelight, as the first race was won by Jolyon Palmer. Palmer the 18 year old son of former F1 driver and FPA founder Jonathon Palmer had previously contested two full seasons of FPA in 2007 and 2008 had only started three races this year prior to the Silverstone meeting, concentrating his season on Formula Two, which is in a break before its finale at the end of the month.

Palmer dominated the first race of weekend, leading the entire race and coming home ahead of Tristan Vautier and Kazim Vasiliauskas – himself another Formula Two driver, but one who has raced the entire FPA season.

Palmer’s good weekend didn’t last, as he slumped to a disappointing 18th in the second race (the same place as he would finish the final race) as it was Frenchman Vautier who took centre stage. Off the start line there was no stopping him, as he made what he described as “the best start of my life”. He had overtaken three cars as he got up to speed, before launching a brave move to move around the outside of both Palmer and Vasiliauskas in the first corner, Copse.

Like Palmer in the first race this was a lead he was never going to give up, leading home Vasiliauskas and Maxime Jousse. The win meant Vautier overhauled Plant at the head of the standings, with a slender one point lead. The question was ‘could he keep it through the final race?’

The third and final race was Jousse’s time to shine. The younger brother of Julien Jousse (another F2 driver) took his maiden FPA win, with Emma Kimilainen and Paul Rees completing the podium. Jousse was positively beaming after the race. “This was a perfect race for me. I got a great start and was up to second. Then Tristan spun in front of me and I knew what I had to do. I am just so happy for my family, this really means so much to all of us. I love it here in England – I want to stay in FPA next season and try to win the championship.”

The championship battle for this year was further back. Vautier had been unable to repeat his start heroics of the second race and found himself back in tenth, and losing his slim points lead back to Plant, finishing two spots ahead of him.

This gives Plant a slim (FPA awards 25 points to the winner and points all the way down to 19th) two point lead over Vautier ahead of the final race weekend, another triple-header at Snetterton in a fortnight. Vasiliauskas (who retired from the final race) is 17 points behind Plant, and the last of the contenders Adam Foster is a further 7 points behind the Lithuanian.