Kent-ish - The Formula Ford Podcast

Episode 14 - Brad Newman

I doubt this is the latest pause between podcast episodes of a podcast. But, this is it. The return of Kent-ish.  Brad Newman is a longtime FF racer, and before that was an avid karter. Brad also worked at All American Racers during their dominant IMSA GTP days and is just an all around good guy.

Episode 13 - Scott Fairchild

If you are going to talk to a racer who methodically looks at chassis setup and what could be, rather than what is assumed to be, look no further than Virginia's own Scott Fairchild. Fairchild runs one of the fastest Club Fords in the East coast, that being a 1978 Zink Z10, and has been active in Club Ford and Vintage Formula Ford for more than a decade. A stellar interview, and a great episode to bring Kent-ish back from the storage locker.

Episode 12 - Doug Smith

Perhaps better known for his driver coaching, team managing and vintage sportscar racing exploits aboard some of the most legendary prototypes around, Doug Smith first made a name for himself running a Hawke DL2A in his native Florida before working up the Formula car ladder, first with a small family-run USF2000 team. Last year, Smith debuted a supremely refined RF97 Van Diemen, and explains in this episode how it all goes back to FF, even among some of world's top drivers.

Episode 11 - Gary Hackbarth

Gary Hackbarth was one of the top Formula Ford drivers of the late 1970s- he qualified 2nd at the 1979 SCCA Runoffs, and won the June Sprints in '79 and 1980- back when the field was filled at 80 cars.   His 1979 Sprints win might be the most impressive- his right rear shock became disconnected during his race, and yet he somehow still managed to win by a big margin, driving one of Carl Haas' team Lola T540s.   A stellar, down-to-earth guy- the kind who probably paddocked next to you at the track at some point. It just-so-happened he was a rocket once buckled into his various Fords.   Special thanks to Andrew Milam for helping sponsor this podcast, and to everyone who have been following along on this journey through Formula Ford history, past and present.   Cheers,   JD

Episode 10 - Peter Hampsheir

Peter and Brian Hampsheir were the duo behind Elden Racing Cars- a firm that built over 250 cars during its time as a racing manufacturer- they built F4, FF, FA, FR, S2000, FSV, FF2000, Sports Racers and even F3 cars for a period of four decades.   On July 29, I caught up with Peter- the designer of Elden cars via Skype, and he recounted a bit of the Elden history, as well as his own personal life away from the race track.   Humble doesn't even begin to describe his nature- he was an absolute joy to interview, and he gave credit where it was due both to his late brother's manufacturing efforts and running the business, as well as those who took his drawings and gave them pace on the track.   A special thanks to Chris Hampsheir for helping set up this interview, and to Larry Haynes of LCH Restoration for sponsoring this episode. If you own an Elden in North America, Larry is the go-to man for sourcing parts, and general knowledge of the Elden brand.   It'll personally be an honor to drive one of Peter's Elden designs in 2021- you can bet on that.   All the best-   JD