Concern over FF1600 National and Combe calendar clash

Formula Ford 1600 teams are concerned by multiple clashes between the British Racing and Sports Car Club National and Castle Combe 2019 calendars.

A provisional BRSCC National calendar revealed half of next year’s rounds will be TCR UK supports, compared to nearly all in ’18, and Anglesey returns after a year’s absence while Knockhill has been dropped.

Two National rounds clash directly with Combe meetings and another two are on different days on the same weekend.

“It’s a disappointing calendar,” said Alan Cooper of Swift Cooper, who won this year’s Combe title with son Luke.

“As a team that’s got drivers that want to run in both [championships] it’s making the drivers make a decision. We did have two drivers lined up for the National series but both are now considering not doing it because of the clashes.”

BRSCC’S Formula Ford coordinator Ian Smith said that end-of-season events like the Brands Hatch Festival, which led to no place for Donington Park, means limited potential to handpick slots.

“It’s not quite as simple as that because the clubs are offered the dates by the circuits,” he said.

“Particularly with Formula Ford. There’s Champion of Brands, Heritage, Northern, National, Scottish Motor Racing Club [as well as Combe] – to avoid clashes is very hard.”