How to get started in Formula Vee

Formula Vee is the largest racing category in Australia with a pool of over 300 cars. We can race on all tracks in Australia. The Formula Vee car is based around the Porsche designed VW engine and components. Formula Vee is a budget category designed for driver skill not engineering skill.

A second Hand 1200cc Class car will cost around $8-$12,000 to buy, usually with a trailer. A new 1600cc Car will cost around $30-$35,000 to buy from a builder, and kits can be purchased to reduce this if you can do some of the work yourself. Second hand 1600 cars can become available, and range in price from $17,000 to $24,000. www.fvee.org.au has a classifieds section for car sales.

Many people find Formula Vee much cheaper than Karting. A budget driver needs to spend about $400 - $500 a race meeting for entry fees and preparation. Overall, you need to budget about $3000 per year for engine rebuilds and new tyres. Those who wish to go interstate, will have more racing and travel costs. Damage costs are rare, but are usually inexpensive VW parts.

Many Drivers have negotiated deals that mean they end up with more sponsorship money than it costs to go racing.

CAMS issue a licence after a medical, basic lecture and an observed driver test. No previous experience is necessary. See www.cams.com.au

Formula Vees will go more than 180kph, very close to the ground. The reason for our low lap times is not our top speed but our high speed, white knuckle cornering speeds that really test a new drivers courage.

Where can I race?

In Queensland we race at Ipswich which has 2 track configurations we use. The long straights mean a driver can get “in the tow” and slingshot around the car in front for a greater speed. At Warwick we have a more challenging track, with great driving and passing on the straight, and in braking battles.

We have up to 6 QLD state championship races per year, plus occasional non-championship races, hill climbs, and sprint events such as the Top Gear Series at Ipswich. During 2006 we have a “super series” which is held at Phillip Island in May and Eastern Creek in July. We also have a one event National Challenge every year which attracts over 60 cars. 2005 was at Oran Park, 2006 is in Western Australia, and 2007 will be held in Queensland.

For more driving you can take interstate trips to races in NSW (Eastern Creek, Oran Park, Wakefield Park) Victoria ( Phillip Island, Sandown) South Australia (Mallala) Tasmania (Symmonds Plains, Baskerville). If you are very keen, Barbagallo also has Vee Racing in Western Australia. See www.fvee.org.au for interstate calendars

We have 2 classes based around the 1200cc engine (cheaper to buy) and the 1600cc engine (more torque) All are VW components and you should go to www.fvee.org.au for more information on the technology.

In Australia, Larry Perkins, Colin Bond, John Blanchard, and John Bowe, Jason Bargwanna. On the international stage, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and Keke Rosberg, all were Formula 1 champions, and raced Formula Vees in Europe or America at the beginning of their careers.

The time has come to fulfil your dreams - to become a RACING CAR DRIVER! Formula Vee Racing provides the thrill of fiercely competitive motor racing at a budget cost. Permitted modifications are minimal so that greater emphasis is on driver skill rather than budget. As a result, the class is the first proving ground in motor racing and has always been a stepping stone to higher levels of motorsport. It is a level of motor racing most enthusiasts can afford.

It is the best value-for-money race car package in Australia. The excellent safety record has ensured Formula Vee has had few serious injuries. Due to the structural integrity of the cars drivers generally walk away unharmed. Drivers from 16 to 65 compete in evenly matched cars that emphasise driver skill.

These are actual Formula Vee ~~legends~~ drivers who are ready to help answer your questions, help you find a car, and go racing.

Brisbane North	Rob Thomson	0410 551 898
Brisbane South	John Alder	3841 7005 (w)
Brisbane Bayside	Grant Bromley	0418 741 843
Ipswich Areas	Paul Manteit	0411 417 981
S/Shine Coast	Ross Louden	5493 6976 (h)
Gold Coast and for other areas	Scott Andrew	0402 864986 or 5527-4155 work hours