Description
Highlights
Late example of the classic Lotus racer from the early seventies
Fully rebuilt engine and fresh chassis set up
Eligible for a wide variety of classic races
Available with discounted tuition from a historic Formula Ford champion
Ready to be set up for its new owner
Overview
Launched in 1967, Formula Ford was designed from the outset to be a low-cost race format with cars that were easy for the novice to maintain. It's still going today and, while new cars predictably use modern Ford bits, there is still a vibrant racing scene for the original FFords (the accepted abbreviation, rather than a typo or the Welsh spelling). Indeed, there are a number of different historic racing championships in which they can compete.
Back in the late sixties, Lotus were amongst the first manufacturers to build cars specifically for the series, constructed from a multi-tube steel spaceframe and with all-round wishbone suspension. The engine was a Ford "Kent" 1600 unit and, by the time of the introduction of the Type 61 that we see here, the gearbox was by Hewland.
Bodywork on the Type 61 was a wedge design, inspired by the Type 56 Turbine Indianapolis car and, at the time it was produced, Formula Ford was a recognised stepping stone to a drive in a contemporary Formula One car. While that's not so much the case today, in circuit racing terms Formula Ford remains very much the real deal with competitive, close racing, even if the speeds are obviously rather lower than you'll find in F1 these days.
This example is a late Type 61 which has spent much of its life in Canada before being repatriated in 2018, following active use from 2008-2017. It's recently had a full engine rebuild by experts Barnett Racing Engines and has reportedly received extensive attention from Enigma Motorsport who have re-jigged and set up the chassis and rebuilt the gearbox.
Looking sharp and ready to be put through its paces, it's also offered with a discounted offer of racing tuition from the car's owner, historic Formula Ford Champion, Richard Tarling, at either Silverstone or Brands Hatch, which could prove invaluable.
The car has yet to be used since all the recent the work and so if you're looking for an opportunity to get into open wheel racing, or are a seasoned racer looking for a new ride, then this completely rebuilt historic car is a fabulous opportunity to get going quickly.
