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2025 Formula Classic – Round 2
Collie Motorplex – 23rd March
The second round of the 2025 Formula Classic championship took place at Collie Motorplex on 23rd March with 10 cars entered for the event. The weather was unseasonally warm, but the breeze helped to keep everyone cool.
It was great to see a few new cars join us for this event. Firstly, Marty Bullock in his recently refurbished Ralt RT4 that had just returned from New Zealand after competing in the Taupo Historic Grand Prix.
Glenn Swarbrick had forsaken his traditional Macon Formula Ford in favour of the recently refurbished ex Trevor Hine Lotus Elan. The Elan was acquired last year, by Marty Bullock, from Trevor’s estate and this was it’s second run following its maiden outing at the Vintage Stampede at Wanneroo last year.
Paul Barron made his return to the track after a long absence with his trusty 2001 Van Dieman Formula Ford. Following an accident at Wanneroo last year the car was extensively rebuilt and is now sporting a new red livery.
Qualifying – Bill Norman claimed pole position in his Ralt RT4 by several seconds from Marty Bullock in his later model Ralt RT4 followed by Ricky Virago in his immaculately prepared Ralt RT5 and Lance Carwardine the Jane Brabham BT23. Interestingly Ricky and Lance were only separated by 0.1 of a second. Next up was John Hurney followed by Paul Barron, Craig Thompson, Brian Searles, Dave Dearden and Glenn Swarbrick. Unfortunately, John Hurney pulled out after the qualifying session and didn’t run for the rest of the day.
There was a little bit of uncertainty at the drivers briefing regarding which side of the track was pole position for a rolling start, also whether there should be one or two warm up laps. All was resolved after a bit of common sense was applied.
Race 1 saw Bill take the lead from Marty with Ricky and Lance in pursuit. Sadly, Bill came to a halt early in the race part way up the ‘bowling alley’ causing the race to be red flagged whilst his car was recovered to a safe position. There was then a bit more pit lane confusion sorting out the correct order for the restart necessitating the whole field, apart from Marty, on doing one further lap under the safety car. Following the red flag Paul had returned to his pit bay assuming the event was over and was not allowed by the marshals to rejoin the field on the grid for the restart.
The race resumed with Marty leading followed by Ricky and Lance. With only a couple of laps to go Lance pulled off at the end of the ‘bowling alley’ with some mechanical issue but was able to coast around turn 8 into a safe location. It was a good day for the Ralt marque claiming first, second and third places in the race. (Brian Searles claiming third spot in his Ralt RT1 after the demise of Lance)
Glenn retired the Elan during race 1 with engine maladies.
The telltale pool of oil below the Elan was not a good sign.
Race 2 – The diminished field of 6 cars took to the grid for Race 2. The three Ralts lead away the field but Paul who had started from rear of the grid was moving up through the field and was beginning to challenge Brian for third spot. With only a couple of laps remaining Brian spun off at the beginning of the start finish straight hand could not handing third place to Paul. Unfortunately the RT1 had stalled in the spin and would not restart.
Race 3 – saw Marty, Ricky and Paul lead the field away. Brian who’d start rear of the grid moved up through the field to finish 4th with Dave Dearden and Craig Thompson the remaining finishers.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Marty Bullock 75 pts
2nd Ricky Virago 60 pts
3rd Craig Thompson 49 pts
The next round of the 2025 Formula Classic season is at Collie Motorplex on Sunday 18th May 2025
2025 Formula Classic – Round 1
Wanneroo Park – 22nd February
The first round of the 2025 Formula Classic championship took place at Wanneroo Park on 22nd February with 12 cars entered for the event. The weather was a balmy 25 deg. C but with a fresh breeze helping to keep everyone cool.
Qualifying saw Bill Norman (who’s 79th birthday was the day before) claiming pole position in his Ralt RT4 by a couple of 10th’s of a second from Marty Bullock in his Chevron B20, both cars qualifying in under 60 seconds. Lance Carwardine was third in the Jane Brabham BT23 followed by Ricky Virago in his immaculately presented Ralt RT5. James Hagan, a guest from Northern Ireland, in a borrowed Van Dieman Formula Ford was next up followed by Craig Thompson, Brian Searles, Dave Dearden, Glenn Swarbrick and Leon Magistro. It was good to see Leon out in his Reynard 84F Formula Ford, another immaculately presented car. Unfortunately neither Bruce Mitchell nor John Hurney made the qualifying session both having issues at the start of the day.
Race 1 saw Bill take the lead from Marty with Lance and the remainder of the field in pursuit. On the opening lap of the race Dave Dearden, uncharacteristically, spun his Vector at turn 7 and beaching the car on the infield. This brought out the safety car for a few laps whist Dave’s car was recovered. Dave confessed in the pits afterwards that his left foot had slipped off the clutch pedal whilst changing down at the bottom of the hill and momentarily got stuck under the brake pedal and
causing him to miss his braking point! No harm done fortunately. Marty drop out on lap five with fuel starvation issues handing over a comfortable lead to Bill that he held until the end. Craig, had an incident at turn 7 too whilst running a steady 6th place when part of his rear wing collapsed on the corner exit, Craig electing to head to the pits then rather than risk being black flagged.
Repairs to the collapsed rear wing of Craig’s Van Dieman.
Race 2 was a 15 minute + 1 lap event. Bill led the pack away but developed an engine problem during the race and subsequently slipped back to 6th place. Brian Searles dropped out on lap five following a missed gear that ‘buzzed’ the engine that sheared the flywheel bolts. In the meantime Ricky was getting quicker and quicker in his Ralt finishing in third spot behind James in the Van Dieman.
The collective Formula Classic ‘Brains Trust’ examining the over revved Tiga engine.
Race 3, Bill retired his Ralt after race 2 with a shredding cam belt issue. Lance lead the field away followed by James , Ricky and the rest of the pack. Ricky continued getting quicker and quicker again in race 3 and eventually hauled in and passed James to claim second place honours for the race. Meanwhile at the back of the pack Leon and Glenn were having a ding dong battle. Leon had a little more straight-line speed than Glenn but Glenn made up for this in the braking areas and corner speed. Coming over the hill on the last lap Leon was ahead and pulling away slightly but Glenn made up heaps of ground under brakes and did the world famous under over move to sneak through on the inside and managed to hold Leon off to the line, but only by inches. A fantastic end to the days racing.
Outright results for the meeting were;
1st Lance Carwardine 70 pts
2nd James Hagan 56 pts
3rd Ricky Virago 55 pts
The next round of the 2025 Formula Classic season is at Collie Motorplex on 23rd March 2025
Formula Classic 2025 Calendar
Below are the dates for the 2025 Formula Classic Championship.
22nd February Wanneroo Night Masters
22nd / 23rd March Collie Icebreaker
17th / 18th May Collie Ernie Hastie Memorial
28th June Wanneroo
27th July Wanneroo
16th / 17th August Collie SmashaStrawb South West Cup
13th September Wanneroo
27th / 28th September Collie Coalfields 500
25th October Wanneroo Bob Creasy Memorial