The newly created MSA Formula has found buyers for all thirty-two cars for its inaugural season next year.
The category, which will be replacing British Formula Ford, has attracted twelve teams to its programme, including single-seater powerhouses Arden International, who operate in GP2, GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5 as well as Carlin Motorsport (GP2, GP3, FR3.5 and F3), Fortec (FR3.5, FR2.0 and F3) and Double R Racing (F3).
Other entries include former Formula Ford runners Falcon Motorsport, JTR, MBM Motorsport, Richardson Racing and SWB Motorsport. National Formula Renault squad Scorpio Motorsport will also join as will British GT squad Team Pyro and Renault Clio and Ginetta stalwarts JHR Developments.
The unveiling of the MSA Formula also spurned Arden to extend their own Young Racing Driver Academy to F4, as noted by team principal Garry Horner. “We have been actively supporting grass roots driver development through our association with the Young Racing Driver Academy and see our move into MSA Formula as the logical natural progression to that involvement.”
Powered by the Ford EcoBoost, the championship will be Britain’s version of the FIA Formula 4 concept and will act as a support category for the British Touring Car Championship from next season onwards, continuing Formula Ford’s previous slot.
Such was the demand for the series, Head of Ford Racing in Europe; Gerard Quinn had a tricky job on hand to ensure every proposal was a serious one. “On the day we unveiled the car we received 70 provisional orders. This translated into a remarkable 50 cash deposits for cars, so together with the MSA we have had to look carefully at every proposal. The great news is that MSA Formula has generated such excitement and anticipation that it has attracted 12 quality teams,” commented Quinn. Teams that have purchased cars will begin to receive their chassis come the end of this year.
The champiosnhip will be open to competitors who are 15-years-of-age and who have achieved an International C Karting licenece and have completed an extended ARDS course.
Ford’s week was further improved when it was revealed that the new-for-2015 Spanish F4 Championship will also be utilising the Ford EcoBoost units for its inaugural season. Like the MSA Formula, Spanish F4 will also run with Mygale chassis and offers a prize fund of €420,000 over the course of the season.
According to Carlos Garcia, President of the Spanish Federation, “It’s a championship that was needed in Spain to reprise the success of Racing for Spain. Thanks to private investment is now a reality.”
It is thought the cost for a season in Spanish F4, which will include seven race weekends and several pre-season tests is to be around the €140,000 mark.
Nice looking sets of wheels there.
I am actually quite looking forward to hearing what the drivers say when they hit pre-season testing next year. Should all be very interesting.