The Formula Ford racing category was formed in the 1960s as an entry-level, open-wheel, single-seater, racing series. Racing schools such as Geoff Clarke's Motor Racing Stables in the U.K. and the Jim Russell school helped amateur racers gain the skills needed to race in faster series such as Formula One. Cooper and Lotus were among the suppliers of these single-seater racing cars.Geoff Clarke moved his racing school to the Brands Hatch circuit in 1963. The school initially used Formula Three cars but these were expensive. To help reduce costs, the school re-fitted a Formula Three chassis with a standard Ford Cortina crossflow cylinder head pushrod overhead valve 4-cylinder 1,599cc engine and other readily available components, steel wheels, and road tires. This setup quickly proved to be cost-effective and provide a means of education and spirited competition. A few basic rules were established leading to the official formation of Formula Ford.
Including driver, fuel, and fluids, the Type 51 weighed approximately 1,200 pounds.
The Lotus 51, designed by Colin Chapman, was the very first purpose-built Formula Ford (total built 218). As per Formula Ford rules, the Type 51 was powered by a Ford Cortina engine with dual choke Weber carburetors, a tube header, and camshafts. The 110 brake horsepower was handled by the four-speed Renault R8 Type 330 transaxle, sending the power to the rear wheels. Girling disc brakes were placed at all four corners.
Related Reading : Lotus 51 and 51A History
The Formula Ford series was introduced in 1967 and provided a means for amateur competitors to compete on a level racing field with manageable costs. This was seen as an entry-level racing series for racers to prove their potential before elevating to Formula 3 and Formula 2 competition. The inexperience of the drivers meant there were often lots of crashes, particularly at the start of the....
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