MSA Formula winner Smith races Pre-’90 FF1600 at Oulton Park

MSA Formula race winner Josh Smith raced in the BRSCC Pre ’90 Formula Ford Northern Championship at Oulton Park this weekend as he looks towards gaining more time behind the wheel of a single-seater.

Smith, who started the season racing in Formula Kart Stars, was a late addition to the Formula Ford grid; having only agreed on Friday to handle a Reynard FF89 for the only Pre ’ 90 race of the weekend.

“It’s just to get more seat time, really. They gave me the opportunity and I took it,” Smith said.

“It’s a start but ideally I’m looking to get behind the wheel of a Van Diemen in the Post ’89 class or something in the National series.”

The 17-year-old, who was formerly backed by the Racing Steps Foundation in MSA Formula, qualified on pole and finished in second on the road but a jump-start meant the stewards handed him a 10-second penalty during the race.

His recovery drive was marred by his lack of third gear meaning he lost acceleration behind eventual winner Jaap Blijleven, settling for fifth overall.