iRacing teases new open-wheeler

A new car has been teased for iRacing, and this one has formed the bedrock of many a single-seater career in the past.

The car in question looks to be a Formula Ford. Formula Ford was first conceived in 1967, where a small, lightweight chassis was coupled to a 1600cc Ford Kent engine as a cheap and effective way to go motor racing in the UK.

Although its chassis and suspension have evolved through the years, the formula has largely stuck to that original ethos of affordability and performance.

The category has remained strong even when the British Formula Ford Championship controversially reverted to a new ruleset for 2013, leading to its eventual demise due to burgeoning costs and a lack of competitor interest.

It was subsequently re-formed as the F4 British Championship (full name ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA) for 2015, supporting the TOCA BTCC package.

Formula Ford alumni include Jenson Button, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, so mastering a Formula Ford’s mechanical grip is a definite indicator of future motorsport success.

Speaking of which, 18-year-old Max Esterson is an iRacing-backed driver with copious amounts of Formula Ford experience, having competed in the British BRSCC Avon Tyres National Formula Ford Championship and the USA-based F1600 series.

The American won arguably the biggest race on the Formula Ford calendar – the 2021 Walter Hayes Trophy from Brands Hatch and competed in the 2022 British GB3 Championship. He then returned to Formula Ford to claim the 2022 Formula Ford Festival, again at Brands Hatch, in a successful 12 months of competition.

Although iRacing’s roster of open wheelers is approaching saturation point (the Skip Barber Formula 2000, Pro Mazda, Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Vee are also available), the Formula Ford represents one of the sport’s most endearing racecars and an ideal way to start a driver’s slicks and wings journey.

Are you looking forward to iRacing’s new car? Let us know in the comments below.