BRSCC IMPOSE NEW FESTIVAL CONTROL FUEL

FORMULA FORD

The organisers of this year’s Formula Ford Festival have brought in a control fuel, sparking controversy.

Accusations of illegal fuel usage have been made in the Formula Ford National Championship this year, which is also run by the BRSCC. Bosses hope running a control fuel will prevent further issue.

Buying control fuel adds extra cost as opposed to competitors using their own fuel, but Oldfield Motorsport boss James Oldfield believes that in a worst-case scenario the extra cost would be under £100.

BRSCC competitions manager Dominic Ostrowski said: “The reason we’ve done it is to protect the integrity of the Festival, that’s the rationale behind it. A lot of people have said that we need to do it.”

A control fuel also makes fuel testing easier and cheaper to conduct, which means the cars will be more accurately scrutineered.

The control fuel only applies to Post-’89 class vehicles competing in the heats, final and last chance races. Pre-’90, classic and historic entrants are not subject to imposed control fuel usage. Drivers in the Masters race, in any class, also avoid the need to use the Carless control fuel.

The BRSCC is also confident that the final will be run in good light, despite the last race being due to finish just minutes before sunset, which has also raised questions.

The Festival Final is due to start at 1735hrs, with sunset due around 1748hrs. The race is usually 20 laps long, with the average dry lap time around 50-55s.

Ostrowski added: “We’re not worried about that [the late timetable]. There’s quite a bit of clear-up time between races and generally at Brands they’re pretty sharp at clearing things up. I’d be surprised if we didn’t start the Festival before 1730hrs. We always try to get underway early if we can, when things are ready to go, we go.”