The revitalisation of Formula Ford at the grassroots level in New Zealand continues with the landing of four brand new and one second-hand Ray chassis. Motorsport Solutions in Christchurch, acting as NZ’s Ray Formula Cars factory agent, have recently taken possession of the race cars which are already pre-sold.
“It’s a no-brainer,” says Motorsport Solution’s John Crawford. “The pricing for a brand-new Ray is so attractive. We can supply a car for less than $50k NZ with a gearbox but without an engine. As we are now acting as their NZ agents, we have plenty of spare parts available for the coming season.”
The agency has all stemmed from Motorsport Solutions relationship with Ray Formula Cars in the UK after teenager Josh Bethune bought a brand-new Ray GR17 out of the UK and imported it into NZ. This was successfully campaigned in both the South Island and the NZ Formula Ford champs, run by Crawford and his team.
“It has thrown some life into the class,” continued Crawford. “It needed a shot-in-the-arm and with fresh kartsport people coming into the category they are keen to get into new machinery. They don’t want to buy a 25 year-old Stealth and recondition the gearbox. What we have here is a very attractive proposition.
“They are a good, simple and reliable car, proven in the UK and Bethune proved it here as well. They are similar to a Stealth in the way you set them up and drive them, but completely different to a Mygale (Chassis).
The four new chassis are heading to new owners in the South Island while the second-hand chassis will head North.
See also:
Look back in history Sunday: The Ray Formula Ford
IndyCar champ’s Formula Ford one of three Ray chassis’ heading down under
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