The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) and MotorSport Vision (MSV) have announced a new BRDC Formula 4 Championship is to be launched in 2013.
Created to provide another low-cost single-seater option for young drivers, the series will see identical cars built around a RFR-designed chassis, with spaceframe construction and front and rear wings.
The cars will be powered by 2 litre Ford Duratec engine’s producing 175bhp, with a 6 speed transmission incorporating paddle shift. The cars will run on Yokohama tyres.
MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) will run the championship, with 24 races across eight meetings. The 2013 calendar will see the series on the support package for the DTM at Brands Hatch, as well as joining selected British F3/GT events, with all races televised on Motors TV.
Organisers hope both teams and private family-run entries will enter the championship, with the cost of participation expected to range from £35,000 for a private entrant to £70,000 for a professional team, with teams limited to running a maximum of four cars.
“It is clear that British motorsport needs a new single seater championship that really attracts the young talent of today to produce large competitive grids of drivers aiming for F1,” said MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer. “At MSV we have used all of our considerable experience and judgment to launch what I think is a compelling package which I believe will re-energise this sector of motor racing. I am very excited about the prospects for the BRDC Formula 4 Championship and am delighted that our vision has been shared by the BRDC, whose President Derek Warwick has already demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and interest in the detail operation of the championship.
“We are in an era of relative austerity, which looks like continuing for some years, and it is essential we provide young single seater drivers with an affordable path to learn and prove themselves. With F4 we have focused on four key areas; providing the lowest season running costs, the lowest car purchase price, the highest levels of car equality and highest safety standards.”
“I have been very worried over the last few years about how our young British drivers of the future are supposed to make that big move from karting to circuit racing,” said BRDC President Derek Warwick. “Back in the day there was a relatively simple ladder if you had the talent; Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula 2 and then Formula 1 if you were good enough. We currently have total confusion within our sport in terms of formulae, cost and the best way to gain experience in a cost effective way.
“The ‘BRDC Formula 4 Championship’ gives us exactly what our sport is missing; reliability, slicks, wings, good horsepower and affordability. Most drivers want to gain the right experience as quickly as possible before moving up the racing ladder and this is why the BRDC is backing F4 and MSV. I have known Jonathan Palmer for some 30 years and during that time he has proved that he does things right and gives 100% so this is another reason we have decided to back F4.”
More information can be found at www.formula4.com.
