Anybody run Vintage Formula Ford or Formula Vee?

If you decide on Formula Vee, check TheSamba.com. There are usually a few FV's in the classifieds, "Race/Drag vehicles" section. I've been looking at them off and on, want to run one on the street.

 

Not knowing your track driving history, I would suggest that a total newbie would best be served with something like a small bore sedan or sports car, you could run either in DE events to gain track knowledge along with some tuition. Then you could run those race events. Later a switch to FF would be less traumatic IMO. A VW Scirroco, MG, Triumph are normally out there for way less than a FF. Remember the cut off for FF is 73, any later car is much cheaper but ineligable at most vintage.

As for the original Q, FF will be less costly, many parts for the Vs are becoming rare and expensive, also those guys are CRAZY especially on the long tracks!

 

Makes sense but at a price! FF and V are very intense even in Vintage. The groups generally expect cars to comply and even the Ford engines are getting hard to replace blocks and things. Honestly you might be able to run a slightly later car in some groups, check them out. Unfortunately the slower cars at the back may tend to be 1) less well prepared, 2) less well driven, despite the 13/13 rules. Also some groups class by lap times, you could end up surrounded by all sorts of cars, the doorslammers aren't always prepared for a pass under brakes from a low single seater. Just things to think on. Attend a few races as spectator, then decide. A trip to a pro shop with your purchase would be a good idea to have all the systems set properly and checked along with a full alignment/bumpsteer.

 

Also, nothing beats 'seat time', ask anyone. If you attend only 2 events a year, your 1/2 hour sessions will be spent just getting back into some rythm, a non-single seater would be more suitable to enter into the "enduro" races often on the schedule.

 

I was in the same situation for a number of years in that I've been wanting to get into vintage racing. About 15 years ago, I did track/race a FF (old Jim Russell Racing car) and a Formula Mazda; I even had a rare opportunity to track a 90s Champcar for one session. Prior to that, I raced a 69 and 83 Porsche 911s. IMHO, production cars do not compare to proper open wheel race cars when it comes to racing and driving feel. Once in a while, I miss racing/tracking open wheel cars.

Having said this, I went back into racing this year in SCCA but not vintage racing and not open wheel class. I went into production spec car racing. The main reason is that I wanted to drive/race/own cars that fall under my specific set of criterias:

1. Factory race car with period history
2. Uncompromised race setup but can be street registered (expands car usage/functionality/resale)
3. Competitive racing which means spec rules and decent number of cars racing in the same class
4. Specific car marques - Ferrari/Porsche/Lotus
5. Safety
6. Certain initial and operational budget levels.

Vintage FF actually meets most of these criterias except for the street-registerable part (in terms of safety, closed cockpit cars are arguably safer but this is debatable). Otherwise, I would have likely gotten into vintage FF. Anyway, in the Pacific Northwest (SOVREN), my research showed a competitive FF group. I think it is one of the best bang for the buck in vintage racing. I know of racers who switched from production car classes to spec FF, due to the increasing costs to remain competitive i.e. bending the rules if not outright breaking them. I personally didn't want to be in a position where my competitiveness was dictated by my racing budget. FF seemed to have the most equitable playing field in vintage racing.

If you feel/think you are ready to give racing a try, I suggest you attend Russell or Skippy School. Drive the open wheel cars and even attend the advanced racing schools to see if you like wheel-to-wheel racing. Moreover, this should give you a feel for open wheel cars.

Then, determine what is important to you and develop a set of criterias. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the journey!

 

FF is a good way to go - no wings, easier to work on, relatively cheap. At the club level, there hasn't been too many changes where you'd be so uncompetitive you'll get black flagged, so that's a plus.

Would also consider F500 - definitely fast cars on a budget, and ULTRA simple (not even a suspension).

Race school is a must - they won't let you run if you aren't licensed. I am a Bertil Roos graduate - well run and a nice alternative to Skippy.