Well, it looks like 2016 is going to be a great year for West Coast Formula Ford racing. And it seems like some clubs are actually trying to work together to fill the grids. Formula Ford The Series is joining VARA for most of their schedule, SVRA is joining VARA for most of their West Coast schedule, while Cal Club SCCA (SoCal) and SFR SCCA (NorCal) both have full schedules. SFR SCCA Group 4 has invited FFTS to join them, and CSRG might even be inviting has invited Club Fords from other clubs to join them for their spring and fall Thunderhill events. Wow, lots of choices! Or is that too many choices???
However, Spec Tire Rules remain quite fragmented, much to the detriment of getting racers to join other clubs’ events. Not many racers are gonna keep two, no less three, different sets of Spec tires in their trailer. Here is a rundown on the tire rules from each club’s 2016 Rulebook. As each club uses different Class names for the different generations of FFs, my references will be: VFF – Vintage Formula Ford ’67-’72. CFF – Club Formula Ford ’73-’81. MFF – Modern Formula Ford ’82-on with Kent motor. As a synopsis for the West Coast Club Ford racers: VARA/SCCA – American Racers. CSRG/SOVREN – Dunlop/Avon/Hoosier. SVRA – Toyo. Links included below:
VARA link – Dunlop for VFF, and American Racer for CFF and MFF.
FFTS link – Dunlops or American Racers for VFF, CFF, and MFF.
SVRA link – Toyos for VFF, CFF, MFF. And Dunlops/Avons for Monoposto (FFM and CFM).
– a current, but not yet published, SVRA directive says Toyos or Hoosier for VFF, CFF, MFF. And Dunlops/Avons/Hoosiers for Monoposto.
Monoposto link – Dunlops/Avons.
CSRG link – Dunlops/Avons for VFF and CFF.
SOVREN link – Dunlops/Avons for VFF and CFF.
SCCA link – American Racers for CF, Hoosier R60a for FF (including Honda powered).
EFF link – Toyos for VFF, CFF, and MFF.
Required Dunlops are the CR82 9092, the Avons are the ACB9 A29, for American Racers the 133, and for the Toyos the 888 DOT legal tire. Hoosier has just announced their new vintage treaded FF tire will be available in April ’16. And still no update on the new American Racer 133.
I’ll do my best to update this post as, or if, the clubs change their rules. As a further note, some clubs will let you race with them if you’re not on their spec tire, and some won’t. Some will grid you at the back with no points, some will send you home, and some will have a different remedy on a case-by-case basis (ie. are you making waves or playing nice). So please be sure to have the answer to this question before you head to the track. But most importantly, talk to your fellow racers and Club Directors about how you feel about these rules, in a civil manner of course ;-)
It is very simple.
We need to lower the cost of racing if (we) expect the younger generation to join us.
American Racers are the cheapest tires I believe, especially here in Canada.
We cannot be expected to purchase tires just for another club’s group.
No tire is faster than another if all cars are on the same tire.
I would hope (we) can get over this need for British tires that mostly prevent us from racing with Sovren.
At the great pacific north south challenge race at Buttonwillow, any car is allowed as long as it is prepared to the club rules it belongs to.
Just remember in a mixed class group, a f1 car will always beat a FF regardless of what the car owner hopes.
We should only be racing against our class of car not the mass of cars on the track.