Honda and Ford Pledge Support for F1600
Sharon, CT – The F1600 Formula F Championship Series has announced that Honda and Ford have pledged support to Series entrants for the 2011 campaign, a situation almost unheard of in entry-level professional open wheel road racing in America.
Competitors have the option of using the new Honda Fit motor or the more traditional Ford Kent engine in the inaugural season of the new pro series, with both manufacturers offering contingency programs along with a Series purse.
"With the unprecedented involvement and support of these two major automotive manufacturers, our F1600 Formula F Championship Series and the competitors fighting for race wins and positions will all be ushering in a new era of entry level open wheel road racing in 2011,” said Series Managing Director Michael Rand.
"We want to thank both Honda Racing/HPD and Ford Racing for stepping up and showing their support of grassroots motorsports in general and open wheel road racing in particular.”
For Honda-equipped F1600 competitors, if a driver wins a race in a Honda-powered vehicle, the payout is $500; second place, $300; third place, $200; and the top five finishing Honda competitors that fail to reach the podium will receive $100 each.
If Honda finishers sweep the podium, just two Honda finishers would receive a $100 payout. If no Honda powered drivers reach the podium, five drivers would receive a $100 payout.
Honda will also pay the year-end champion an additional $1,000 bonus if running a Honda throughout the season.
Honda runners must be signed up with the Honda Racing Line program, www.hondaracing.com/hpd, have Honda/HPD identification on the car as defined by Honda and have a Honda patch on their driver’s suit
Racers with Ford power plants must be registered with www.fordracingparts.com, and have decals and patches as defined by Ford.
If a Ford powered car wins, the payout is $500; second place, $300; third place, $200; and the top five finishing Ford competitors that fail to reach the podium will receive $100 each.
If Ford powered drivers sweep the podium just two Ford finishers will receive the $100, if no Ford powered driver is on the podium then five drivers will receive $100.
The 2011 inaugural F1600 Formula F Championship Series opens at VIR, April 8-10, with a double-header weekend, like all the events. The Series next heads to Watkins Glen, June 3-5, with Grand-Am. June 30-July 2 sees the Series visit Mid-Ohio before pairing up with the NASCAR Modifieds at Lime Rock Park, September 16-17, and finishes at Watkins Glen, October 14-16, with what is appearing to be a 2011 full of massive car counts