Formula Open set for January 2020

| Photographer Credit: Bruce Jenkins

A new single seater series is evolving out of the North Island Formula Libre category and will feature a four round series starting in January 2020.

Formula Open will contest a four-round series for Formula Atlantic, Formula Renault, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Super Vee, Formula Suzuki and FT40 cars from the Toyota Racing Series.

Ken Smith, Formula Atlantic

With plenty of these race cars currently scattered throughout New Zealand, many sitting in garages, organiser John Tomlin is keen to see them on the grid.

“It’s an extension of Formula Libre,” commented Tomlin. “We have a lot of these cars currently in sheds and this short four round series is designed for drivers to get them out and onto the grid for some great racing.”

The recent purchase of nine FT40 Toyota Racing Series cars (see main picture) by a North Island business has given the series more momentum. With the aim of leasing a number of these race cars, it will give a driver the opportunity of competing in a wings and slicks class without needing to own a car.

Points will be for ‘speed groups’, and not for the class of car.

“It’s about how fast you are and your level of talent,” said Tomlin. “If we have three Formula Holden’s and three different driver capabilities, it is better for the series if these drivers are competing against other drivers with similar talent, and not necessarily similar machinery.”

Scott Dixon, Formula Holden 1998

The invitation series will take place over four rounds starting at the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo 4-5 January 2020. A week later it will move to Hampton Downs and be part of the BMW Festival (11-12 January).

The third and fourth rounds will be part of the Tasman Revival Series, first at Hampton Downs 25-26 January and then in February (22/23) at Pukekohe Park Raceway, south of Auckland.

Provisional Calendar

Round 1 – 4/5th January

Round 2 – 11/12th January

Round 3 – 25/26th January

Round 4 – 22/23rd February

Benjamin Carrell is a freelance motorsport writer and currently edits talkmotorsport.co.nz. He writes for a number of Kiwi drivers and motorsport clubs. That's when he's not working in his horticultural day-job or training for the next road or mtb cycle race!

https://talkmotorsport.co.nz

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