Ben Evans Racing

Anyone following Formula Vee this winter will know that all is not well in the Formula. At the instigation of 12 individuals (and allegedly one team), 750mc decided to introduce a class B for the 2008 Championship. Due to the fact that the consultation period was negligable and that the rules exclude the very cars they were supposed to support, it is no surprise that Class B has been met with stiff opposition from most competitors.

Throughout 2007 it was clear that something would have to be done to curb costs and development in FVee. With top-10 budgets frequently in excess of £30k and special engines reving to 9,000rpm and being rebuilt after 20 minutes running, there was no way the garden shed competitor could even hope to get a look in. During the season there was some discussion about the introduction of Class B, but at Snetterton at the final round a definitive ‘no’ came from 750mc.

It was with some surprise then that Class B was included in the 2008 technical regs, following some off-season petitioning, largely I’m led to believe from AHS. Certainly AHS were best placed when the rules came out with a Class B car ready to go into the wind tunnel. Due to the success of the Challengers in recent years, there are some who would unkindly suggest that the only way they would win a race is if a class was created for them.

I went along to the AFD last sunday largely because most boxing is pay-per-view and this promised to be a free of charge punch-up. It was grim stuff. In the face of both facts and logic Keith Messer seemed determined not to give any ground to the competitors, of whom there was a large contingent. If the vast majority of the competitors, who lets not forget keep the club in business, don’t want class B imposed then arguably it is a good idea to scrap the whole thing. Not least because 750mc needs to be smart in picking its battles - ie water cooled engines, 107% qualifying rule on some circuits.

Throughout I was hugely impressed with Steve Glasswell, who amidst a cold shoulder from the club, and a potential coup from the competitors took the moral high ground, and stayed calm and coherent amidst what was a fierce debate.

So where does all this leave us. Well its not pretty. The Vee Centre forum is censoring posts (yes I noticed Gethin’s post disappeared, even though it told the facts as I understood them), the club is determined to show who’s boss, and Class B has as far as I understand three legal chassis’ - Spyders, Leastones and modified AHS Challengers. Pete Belsey, Gethin Jones and Tim Hill should be fighting for Class B honours then.

Formula Vee has a huge amount going for it - the consistently best single seater racing in the uk, the best value single seater racing in the UK, a strong competitor and spectator following. So why do the 750mc seem intent on driving a wedge into a formula that works and those within in seek to deepen the wounds.

The paddock at Mallory Park in two weeks time will be a fascinating place. As I’m not racing in the UK this year, I will be at as many races as possible with the aim of reporting the action, news, gossip and scandal on this site

It’s been a long time since I have written anything for this website, that for a number of reasons, firstly the 2007 season petered out so disappointingly that I couldn’t face writing anything and secondly I have been busy putting in place my plans for 2008.

In 2008 I will be competing in the European/German Formula Vee Championship racing in the ex-Patrick Sherrington Scarab, run by Martyn Donn and Andy Storer. I cannot wait for the season to get underway as I think that we have a very good chance to challenge for the title overall and a number of wins along the way. In 2007 my car wasn’t at the cutting edge of the field, in 2008 it definitely will be.

Although the calendar is not 100% confirmed, it looks like there will be races at Dijon, Most, Spa, Hockenheim, Magny Cours and Monza - in other words a dream calendar. Quite simply I cannot wait to get stuck in. I’m currently searching for sponsors, so if you are intersted please get in touch (benfrombristol@hotmail.com) and I will send you a proposal.

However my plans for 2008 are not just confined to driving. Towards the end of 2007 I began to pick up the commentators microphone and thanks to the incredibly generous support of Brian Jones and David Addison had the opportunity to commentate at several high-profile end of season events including the Formula Ford Festival and Formula Palmenr Audi Shootout.

My commentary schedule for 2008 is not yet finalised, however I will be commentating in at least 4 weekends during the season and hopefully more - if you know of any potential commentary opportunities please get in touch.

All told 2008 looks like being a cracking year of racing and commentating coming up, and quite simply, I cannot wait for the season to get underway