Formula Ford Pace Hots Up at Knockhill

The majority of the CRS Racing Scottish MRC Formula Ford competitors attended a pre-season test day at Knockhill on Sunday 12th April under glorious blue sky conditions. In what’s reckoned to be one of the most open championships in recent years, any one of at least six competitors are in with a chance winning now that last year’s Champion, Graham Carroll, has moved on.

Two of the favourites are Rory Butcher – the 2008 Knockhill Young Driver of the Year – and Joe Tanner, both regular instructors at Knockhill. Rory had to sit out the test as he was on instructing duties but Joe led the pack with a 55.9 second time in his 1990 Van Diemen, second up was Craig Brunton with a 56.0 in his ’92 Van Diemen, with Jillian Shedden not far behind.

Making her debut in the Championship is Carol Brown, the first lady in history to win a Scottish Championship having dominated the Legends race series last year. Her move to Formula Ford is a first, having always campaigned Legends, and she used the test day to settle in to the new environment of open wheel racing. “I was pleased with how the first test went, being only about a second off the pace, so I just need more track time and I’m sure I’ll be up at the sharp end before too long. I’m next out on the Saturday test day before the SMRC meeting on the 26th, so hopefully then I can get fully dialled-in to the nature of the car and get a set-up I’m completely comfortable with” said the Falkirk racer.

The first round of the SMRC-organised championship begins on Sunday 26th April and is expected to be a great start to a busy calendar for all the racers, especially the Formula Ford drivers as they have nine outings, including supporting the British Touring Cars, British GTs and British GT Cup, as well as their showcase Golden Helmet event at the Classic SpeedFair in July.

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