Q&A with Formula Ford Stars & Renegades Series category manager Jeff Grech

Formula Ford is back through the AASA - run Stars & Renegades Series, so it’s timely to chat to category manager Jeff Grech.

A well known personality in Australian motorsport, Grech led the Holden Racing Team during its dominant period finding the likes of Craig Lowndes through Formula Ford.

Feeding his passion for Formula Ford through the new Stars & Renegades Series, a strong field is due to compete at Winton Motor Raceway on February 28-March 2.

Forming part of a strong bill of categories on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series bill, Formula Ford continues its journey of more than half a century in developing young drivers in a new era.

How did the concept come about?

In the background for a few years I’ve been a bit disappointed that Formula Ford has taken a back step as far as a feeder category. Over the years - and certainly since I’ve been in motorsport - Formula Ford was the place to go for a young driver to get into circuit racing and it was always the first stepping stone to enhance their career to pursue competing at a higher level.

With that, Marcos Ambrose had the same thoughts and we got together to start talking about Formula Ford, which led to us engaging with Stephen Whyte. The idea was to get Formula Ford on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series and he had no problem with it, he was like minded with us in wanting to see the category flourish.

About the weekend format and increased track time.

When you’re a young person in any category seat time is key and certainly to bolster the category up we wanted to incentivise competitors to re-look at Formula Ford in terms of what it can offer as far as teachings including racecraft. At the top of the incentives to bring young people into it was the track time and schedule.

What the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series extensive broadcast adds to Formula Ford

Television was a crucial item because for young drivers part of their skill set is not only driving now, but how to present themselves to sponsors and build up a bit of a profile. The television package does help with this as young drivers don’t have to rely on their parents, but can put a collared shirt on and knock on a few doors of businesses.

They’ve got the information in hand such as a profile, the television coverage stats and what channels it will be on allowing the ability to sell themselves, which is nearly as important as being a good driver.

Being able to sell yourself and create a profile that is noticeable, but certainly in the long-term you gain the attention of other teams in major categories.

The importance of the circuits on the 2025 schedule

It’s unfortunate that Formula Ford isn’t on the Supercars calendar because when I was involved in racing I always used to watch it when I had a chance. I always kept my eye out because you find drivers like Craig Lowndes, Todd Kelly, Marcos Ambrose, Jamie Whincup and the list goes on because Formula Ford was the main feeder series.

Back then there were 30 to 40 cars and really if a young driver can constantly operate in the top five they’re what I would call pretty good. It’s the same now and we’re really excited to have them on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series schedule. It took a bit of work, but thanks to Marcos and Stephen we’ve been able to pull it all together.

What are the expectations of the inaugural season?

There are some pretty good incentives for the placings in the series, with doors opening into testing in other categories. Certainly, the circuits we’re going to I think the racing will be very good and really for everyone to have a bit of fun by experiencing the television package, media coverage and Formula Ford.

I’m really excited about it, it’ll look really good and I can’t wait to see some good racing.

Want to come join?

For anyone who has a Formula Ford, this is a golden opportunity to get it out of the garage, have a bit of fun, get the acknowledgement on television and I think it’ll fair well for the growth of the category.

Formula Ford Category Information: www.hi-tecoilssuperseries.au/formula-ford