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Insight: The Rookie Racer
Author: Craig Hughes | © VW Spectacular Magazine
10 October 2010 | reproduced with permission from VW Spectacular Magazine (August 2010)
Author website: www.volkswagenspectacular.com
Images: Shifting Focus | Ian Welsh | www.shiftingfocus.com.au
VW Magazine Australia proudly sponsors Craig Hughes
"Rookie Racer"
For motorsport fans who have ever had a fleeting urge to one day steer their own car around a race track, then single seater, formula racing is the ultimate thrill. Of course, the immediate image that this bracket of racing conjures is Formula One, and although this is the pinnacle of the sport, and indeed the origin of car racing itself, it's comforting to know that cheaper entry level formula racing is available.
In Australia, the two most popular entry level formulas are Formula Vee and Formula Ford, and of these two, Formula Vee is by far the cheapest, and in terms of racing and value for dollar, it's also the best proving ground for Rookie drivers. The added bonus for VW enthusiasts, is that Formula Vee is based on Volkswagen componentry, with VW 1200 or 1600 controlled engines, transmissions and running gear.
As both a motorsport enthusiast and editor of VWMA, I didn't need to be asked twice when Tim Hamilton, member of the Formula Vee Association of Qld, invited me to attend a drive day at Morgan Park Warwick in November 2008. The day consisted of regulated laps in a choice of Formula Vees, and by the last lap of the circuit, I had already convinced myself that this was my sort of fun. The hunt was on for a ride.
Firstly, no one should ever enter motorsport without the clear understanding and conviction that money will need to be spent, and when race car owners affectionately call their cars ‘money pits', you'll quickly learn why. Even Formula Vee requires a sizeable budget, with decent second hand machinery starting at around $10,000 and moving up to approximately $50,000 for the state of the art, latest generation models, such as Jacer and Rapier.
Thankfully, with the assistance of Shane Hart, I was able to buy in at the lower level, and a well used 1600 chassis with a fresh motor and transmission became the basis of the Hughes Fvee Team in late 2008. The next six months were spent preparing the Fvee for its first Championship round at Lakeside in July 2009. What I knew about Beetles and VWs was quickly discarded - this was a whole new ball game.
Formula Vee is a controlled Formula, so engines, transmissions and induction must be sealed and inspected by CAMS approved sealers. This ensures everyone is on a level playing field, and winning races comes down to effort, skill and making sure every bit of horsepower is extracted. To do this, experienced Formula Vee campaigners have devised many ways to gain even the slightest advantage.
The good news for Rookie Racers like me, is that unlike other formula categories, Formula Vee is not a ‘cloak-and-dagger' bracket of racing. In the FVAQ competition, Rookies are fortunate to have drivers and crew who will go out of their way to help, even if it means leaving their own preparation to give advice. In my first season of racing the learning curve has been steep, but not once did someone from the club refuse to offer assistance.
This is what has made the racing enjoyable. FVAQ names that spring to mind who have helped with technical advice, race craft and sometimes even parts and repairs include Steve Wilkinson, Tim and Denis Hamilton, Andrew Moran, Shane Hart, John Alder, Mike Smith, Alan & Len Don, and Clinton Leibinger. Their willingness to help has been invaluable, however, once on the track, it's game on and a race to the chequer!
Since my first race in 2009, my farcical goal to just have fun and stay out of everyones way, has quickly been shelved in favour of finding more power, improving the handling, bettering my own times and finishing another spot up the order. There's been good races and complete disasters, but the passion to compete and pretend that this is what I could do for a living, has only strengthened with each race outing!
Craig charging through the tight and twisty "Flip-flops" of Morgan Park.
A rookie mistake and lesson learned: A clumsy collision at Lakeside ends Craig's weekend with suspension damage.
Author: Craig Hughes | © VW Spectacular Magazine
10 October 2010 | reproduced with permission from VW Spectacular Magazine (August 2010)
Author website: www.volkswagenspectacular.com
Images: Shifting Focus | Ian Welsh | www.shiftingfocus.com.au
VW Magazine Australia proudly sponsors Craig Hughes
"Rookie Racer"
For motorsport fans who have ever had a fleeting urge to one day steer their own car around a race track, then single seater, formula racing is the ultimate thrill. Of course, the immediate image that this bracket of racing conjures is Formula One, and although this is the pinnacle of the sport, and indeed the origin of car racing itself, it's comforting to know that cheaper entry level formula racing is available.
In Australia, the two most popular entry level formulas are Formula Vee and Formula Ford, and of these two, Formula Vee is by far the cheapest, and in terms of racing and value for dollar, it's also the best proving ground for Rookie drivers. The added bonus for VW enthusiasts, is that Formula Vee is based on Volkswagen componentry, with VW 1200 or 1600 controlled engines, transmissions and running gear.
As both a motorsport enthusiast and editor of VWMA, I didn't need to be asked twice when Tim Hamilton, member of the Formula Vee Association of Qld, invited me to attend a drive day at Morgan Park Warwick in November 2008. The day consisted of regulated laps in a choice of Formula Vees, and by the last lap of the circuit, I had already convinced myself that this was my sort of fun. The hunt was on for a ride.
Firstly, no one should ever enter motorsport without the clear understanding and conviction that money will need to be spent, and when race car owners affectionately call their cars ‘money pits', you'll quickly learn why. Even Formula Vee requires a sizeable budget, with decent second hand machinery starting at around $10,000 and moving up to approximately $50,000 for the state of the art, latest generation models, such as Jacer and Rapier.
Thankfully, with the assistance of Shane Hart, I was able to buy in at the lower level, and a well used 1600 chassis with a fresh motor and transmission became the basis of the Hughes Fvee Team in late 2008. The next six months were spent preparing the Fvee for its first Championship round at Lakeside in July 2009. What I knew about Beetles and VWs was quickly discarded - this was a whole new ball game.
Formula Vee is a controlled Formula, so engines, transmissions and induction must be sealed and inspected by CAMS approved sealers. This ensures everyone is on a level playing field, and winning races comes down to effort, skill and making sure every bit of horsepower is extracted. To do this, experienced Formula Vee campaigners have devised many ways to gain even the slightest advantage.
The good news for Rookie Racers like me, is that unlike other formula categories, Formula Vee is not a ‘cloak-and-dagger' bracket of racing. In the FVAQ competition, Rookies are fortunate to have drivers and crew who will go out of their way to help, even if it means leaving their own preparation to give advice. In my first season of racing the learning curve has been steep, but not once did someone from the club refuse to offer assistance.
This is what has made the racing enjoyable. FVAQ names that spring to mind who have helped with technical advice, race craft and sometimes even parts and repairs include Steve Wilkinson, Tim and Denis Hamilton, Andrew Moran, Shane Hart, John Alder, Mike Smith, Alan & Len Don, and Clinton Leibinger. Their willingness to help has been invaluable, however, once on the track, it's game on and a race to the chequer!
Since my first race in 2009, my farcical goal to just have fun and stay out of everyones way, has quickly been shelved in favour of finding more power, improving the handling, bettering my own times and finishing another spot up the order. There's been good races and complete disasters, but the passion to compete and pretend that this is what I could do for a living, has only strengthened with each race outing!
Craig charging through the tight and twisty "Flip-flops" of Morgan Park.
A rookie mistake and lesson learned: A clumsy collision at Lakeside ends Craig's weekend with suspension damage.
