Competitor Information

Club Formula Ford (NAT & NW & MS)

No.	NAT	Region	Car:	Driver:

1	B	NW-C	Reynard	David Bailey

2008 will see us compete in North West FF1600 for the 12th consecutive year. 2007 most succesful year to date clinching Class C and the overall Pre 1990 title in the final round of the Championship. We will again be supported by Horners Motor Group: Manchester's main dealer for Mitsubishi cars. Looking forward to another closely fought year with 2 of my biggest supporters (sons Alex and Christopher) and not forgetting Gus the gorilla (!) cheering me on.
9	A	NW-A	Van Diemen	Jeff Hodgson

Between 1967 and 1969 Jeff raced a Lotus Elan 26R and then a Chevron B8 BMW – in which he took two wins. He then stopped racing. Then 38 years later - in mid 2007 - a one off test at Anglesey led to him racing a hired Van Diemen RF87 that weekend. He then bought a Van Diemen RF02 from Lee Hannam and you can’t keep him away now. Last October he even raced at Oulton in the morning and then headed off to test at Aintree in the afternoon. The 62 year old retired Holiday Park owner likes his horse power with both four wheels, or four legs. His favourite circuit is Oulton, but he would love to race at Spa. He still fondly remembers going down the pit straight at Oulton sideways – for what seemed like the whole length of it – in the wet in the Chevron. His favourite spectator sport is not surprisingly motor sport and he likes jazz music.His racing is supported by Harts Caravan Park, Abergele.
12	A	NW-B	Van Diemen	Martin Cowburn

71 year old retired Martin moved to Lytham St Annes a couple of years ago. Martin took up racing after his early retirement. In fact one of his leaving presents from work was an ARDS course, which led him to Pro Karting at Three Sisters, then NW Formula Ford in an RF95 Van Diemen and later his current RF91 which is prepared by Medina Sport. His hobbies are flying and most music, except trad, rap and music concrete. He enjoys Frasier and Come Dine with Me on TV. His favourite circuit is Oulton, but he would love to drive at Monaco. His favourite corner at Oulton is Druids – when he does it right. He claims his best result is sixth from the bottom and his ambition is to drive smoothly and well. His favourite spectator sport is to watch a big field FF1600 race
18	A	MS-A	Jamun	Archie Hamilton

Started Karting aged 11 at Buckmore Park in Honda Cadets. Aged 14 Archie moved in Rotax Karting doing many different club races over the country. At 16 Archie moved into Single Seated cars for the first time, he gradutated from Silverstone Race Academy, and winning there on his Formula Ford debut and coming runner up in the 2nd race, he also took part in the Castle Combe Carnival. This season Archie is sponsored by Conforto, for the Club Formula Ford National Championship, racing a Century Motorsport prepared Jamun T25. www.archiehamiltonracing.com
21	A	NW-B	Swift	Joe Tanner

Joe Tanner started racing karts at the age of 13, progressing from Cadets to Formula A. First full season of car racing was in the 2004 Scottish FF zetec championship finishing 4th overall. Stayed in the championship in 2005 and won the title overall along with the zetec newcomers cup. Also won the guest driver class in the UK zetec championship race at knockhill with a 4th place finish overall after starting on the front row. Claimed a top 10 finish as a guest driver in UK Formula Renault, and was voted Scottish young driver of the year 2005. A part season in UK Duratec championship in 06 ended with a lack of funding. In 2007 only competed in one race with the BRDC Golden helmet, Qualified on pole position for the final and finished third overall. This season will compete in the Club Formula Ford National Championship.
26	B	NW-D	Van Diemen	Mike Mullins

Mike has spectated at motor races most of his life and started to marshal over twenty years ago. He has since marshalled at all types of meeting from races, rallies, speed events, auto-tests, sporting car trials etc, and still 'flags' regularly at Oulton Park. In 1987 he navigated in a number of rallies and began to sprint in the same Escort RS2000. He kept this car for about three years before switching to an FF Quest. He ran this for a few years and then bought his current Van Diemen RF86 which he has run this in the Club Formula Ford North West Championship since then. With help from various people, he runs the car himself and plans to do as many rounds as he can in 2008.
30	B	NW-C	Reynard	Stuart Jones

Radio and Television presenter and Celebrity Eye Wear designer from Manchester, Stuart raced extensively in the 1980's Clubmans B sport, ff1600, ff2000 and F3 before hanging up his helmet for 15 years. A return to Club Formula Ford North West in 2006 resulted in a swift return to race winning form and in 2007 secured a drive with the University of Central Lancashire Racing team; UCLAN. Multiple race wins and pole positions resulted in a closely run championship resulting in second place in class and the overall championship in his first full season back racing. Will be racing for UCLAN again in 2008 contesting Club Formula Ford (NW) championship in a pre 90 car. Stuart is also a race instructor at Oulton Park and will be looking to dip his toe into historic racing this season.
32	A	MS-B	Swift	Jack Goff

Jack Goff started karting at the age of 7 and won many championships 2007: Qualified pole for the first round of the british championship. Many fastest laps at national level Podium at last round of british championship. Finished a creditable 7th in final british championship standings after some bad luck. Winner of Whilton Mill Kart championship. Winner of P.FI winter series. Winner of Kimbolton winter series. Winner of Ace and King of clubs for econd year in succession. One of the favourites for british open championsip but fuel tank split in final. Won the Jason Plato 'man on a mission' award at the british championship – the prize was a guided tour around williams F1 factory by Jason Plato. Won the Luke Hines hard charger award. 2008, first year of car racing competing in the Club Formula Ford National Championship.
33	A	NW-A	Van Diemen	Matthew Parr

Matthew Parr started racing aged 8 competing in the regional championship Formula 6 which he won, he then carried on in the same championship but raced in Junior ProKart which he came 2nd after a win and two poles in the Honda Challenge National championship. In 2001 he competed in Junior Rotax Max in Super One in which he ended up 11th + 3rd in the Buckmore Park championship. Matthew then moved into TKM 4-Stroke and raced in the Super One Championship which he lead up to the last round but due to some bad luck in the last two rounds ended up 2nd. 2006 brought a 2nd place in TKM 2 Stroke, 2008 racing with Team West-Tec in the Club Formula Ford Championship - M/S. www.matthewparr.com
33	A	NW-B	Van Diemen	Graham CARROLL

Race school instructor,from Musselburgh near Edinburgh. Graham has raced karts between the ages of 8 and 15 and won numerous championships. Scottish Champion in 2003. In 2005 he competed in the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championship finishing 4th which earned him a place in a shoot out at Silverstone along with Stefan Wilson and Henry Surtees. Given a sponsored drive in the 2006 Playstation Ginetta Junior Championship. He won his third race and finished 5th in the Championship. In 2007 Graham competed in Formula Ford 1600 winning the Scottish Championship in class A. Voted the most promising young Scottish driver of 2007 and the Knockhill Young Driver of the year. This year he intends to compete in Club Formula Ford National Championship and selected NW rounds.

38	A	MS-A	Van Diemen	James Rigby

James has been competing in motorsport since the age of 11, from Go-Karting to Formula Ford, Formula Renault and Ginetta. He has consistently combined speed with an intelligent approach to racecraft, as well as the ability to communicate at all levels – whether with engineers or business partners. Graduating from the Silverstone Motorsport Academy, James has performed consistently in a variety of championships and is now also a qualified Instructor. In 2008 he will compete in the National Championship with Team West-Tec. For more information on James please visit his website: www.jrigby-racing.co.uk
60	A	MS-B	Reynard	Josh Benson

Josh Benson like many others started Karting from the age of 8 and soon eager to progress, he went on to the Silverstone Race Academy, qualifying 2nd out of 32 in the Formula Ford class. He then went on to take a podium win in the final race. This will be Josh’s first season in a Formula Ford and an ultimate opportunity to define his race craft before moving on to the British Formula Ford in 2009. Supported by Marque Cars, a highly experienced Leicester based Team founded by Don Hardman, this will be an exciting year. www.joshbensonracing.co.uk
73	A	MS-A	Ray	Carl Hemming

Carl Hemming started off his motor racing hobby in the “Honda challenge” Karting in 1999 until 2002. He then moved to Rotax max karting until 2005. After graduating from the Silverstone Racing Drivers academy in Summer of 2005, Carl joined Century Motor sport under the wing of the 2006 UK Formula Ford Champion; Nathan Freke, where he drove the Jamun T25 Kent car for 2006 and 07. Carl also drove in the Jedi Championship in 2007 participating in several rounds. Carl will be racing in the National Championship this year, in his ‘Ray GRS08’, sponsored by Homes R Us ltd, www.homesrusltd.co.uk as part of the Century Motor sport Team; along side Archie Hamilton (18) who will be racing in the Jamun.
88	B	NW-D	Van Diemen	Matt Ridge

Matt competed in 3 round's last year having previously only raced indoor gokart's, so to say he has a steep learning curve would probably be accurate. He hopes to just enjoy learning how to drive a racing car and have as much fun as possible. He will be using Mark Murphy's old car and running along side his brother David Murphy (well probably along way behind) and hopes to take part in as many round's as fund's allow.