Formula Ford was established in 1967 as the low cost alternative to Formula 3. Since then, it has become the recognised launch pad to competing at the highest level - Formula I. It has produced six world champions, the last three being the late Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and of course Damon Hill.
The first cars used the Ford Kent 1600cc engines. In 1995 Ford introduced a bigger Zetec 1800cc 16 valve engine and this has been used in all cars since. Competitors are racing with the latest technology at their disposal. Formula Ford is the only truly world wide single seater racing category with National Championships on every continent.
In Britain there is The Slick 50 Formula Ford Championship which is a national championship for the current years Zetec cars. This is the Championship which future Formula One stars want to win! (Jenson Button won the Championship in 1998!)The Avon Junior Formula Ford Championship is another national series open to one year and older Zetecs. Every year in October there is the Formula Ford Festival held at Brands Hatch where Formula Ford drivers from all over the world get together for a knock out competition. Once again, winning this could be the key to future Formula 1 success.
The Kent engined cars are still as popular as ever. With many circuits around the country holding their own championships. All ages of Formula Ford still race. These regional championships are very competitive and offer excellent experience for drivers hoping to graduate to a higher formula. Most drivers, however, are just in it for the fun of racing. The Southern Formula Ford Championship (formerly The Kent County Championship) is the only regional championship open to both Kent and Zetec Formula Fords. This is one of the few places a club racer can race a Zetec car without having to pay the large budgets of the national championships.