Up Up and Away– Petrolhead Images
One formula which strives to keep costs down whilst still producing plenty of action are the Rebels Racing formula. Rebels began life in late 1994 as a development of an idea by the founder and creator, Hans Kirimaa, to produce a contact racing series with the need for as little repair equipment as possible. We're told that “the cars size and overall appearance were paramount in the design stage” wanting owners and drivers to be proud of their car whilst making sure that as little space was taken up at home in the garage and transit also. The other key factor was equality, “with all cars being the same, so the results are down to the driver”.
The cars are powered by a reliable Reliant 850 all-aluminium engine producing 60 plus h.p. at 7500 rpm. Despite the small size, don’t let this fool you with these race cars being only 2 seconds a lap behind the much bigger and more powerful Superstox formula at their Rebels Worldwide Rebellion at Aldershot Raceway in October. The replica 5/8th scale Ford Pop bodywork keeps the nostalgia alive, but the on-track action is very 21st Century, with contact allowed meaning drivers can push and barge their way to the front of the field.
“The days of burying the opposition in the safety fence have passed, and the safety record of the Rebel Class is second to none; they have all been factory built using premium quality materials that are designed to do the job, rather than an evolution of another design to save weight”, says the club. Continuing with “safety has and always will be paramount in the construction and use of these cars, and the residual value proves its right”. A common sight with the Rebels is a little hop skip and jump, all cars have the same “limited suspension system”, are Dyno checked and sealed power. Driver skill, determination and perhaps luck play a big part in any race win.
The cars are powered by a reliable Reliant 850 all-aluminium engine producing 60 plus h.p. at 7500 rpm. Despite the small size, don’t let this fool you with these race cars being only 2 seconds a lap behind the much bigger and more powerful Superstox formula at their Rebels Worldwide Rebellion at Aldershot Raceway in October. The replica 5/8th scale Ford Pop bodywork keeps the nostalgia alive, but the on-track action is very 21st Century, with contact allowed meaning drivers can push and barge their way to the front of the field.
“The days of burying the opposition in the safety fence have passed, and the safety record of the Rebel Class is second to none; they have all been factory built using premium quality materials that are designed to do the job, rather than an evolution of another design to save weight”, says the club. Continuing with “safety has and always will be paramount in the construction and use of these cars, and the residual value proves its right”. A common sight with the Rebels is a little hop skip and jump, all cars have the same “limited suspension system”, are Dyno checked and sealed power. Driver skill, determination and perhaps luck play a big part in any race win.
Tricky Conditions – Anthony Jenkins Photography
Many formulas have now moved into needing a car for each surface, a Rebel however, can race on both shale and tarmac with very little changes. Simply lowering the tyre pressures and increasing the toe out is as little as you need to do. Race damage is always a huge paramount with any formula you enter, it can be the difference between having that nice fancy anniversary meal out or a new shocker for that front-left corner, but the Rebels repair costs are minimal. The basic trailing arm and rubber block suspension make for ease of repair and set-up and remove the cost of expensive parts. The club says that ‘these cars have proven to be very robust over 20 odd seasons of hard racing”, going onto say “indeed cars of that age still change hands at more than they cost new”. Used ‘Ready to Race’ cars can be bought from around £3000-£3500”, a price considerably lower than the majority of other formulas.
Travelling expenses put a huge effect on any race team, with the price of diesel currently sitting at an average of £1.29 per litre in the UK, travelling to any race meeting isn't cheap. A lot of more ‘domestic formulas’ have chosen to spread their race meetings throughout the racing season, allowing drivers to recover meeting to meeting. With this in mind, each season Hans and the Rebels Racing Team carefully choose tracks they race at to reduce the cost of travelling as much as possible, whilst still appearing at their most supported tracks, including Birmingham Wheels, Aldershot Raceway, Skegness Raceway, Mildenhall Stadium and Lochgelly Raceway to name just a few of our regulars, with plans to race at Swaffham Arena this coming year.
Leading the way – Petrolhead Images
With close to 90 chassis built and sold, the Rebel formula is going from strength to strength, and with as many as 40 cars on track at a time, the club says “the racing is not for the faint-hearted, but the adrenalin rush would equal any”.
Rebels Racing believe that family is at the heart of everything. Hans and Kathe (Father and Daughter) run everything behind the scenes and also build and produce most engineering parts required for each Rebel. The club says that “on track meeting days, Rachel (Hans’s Protege), Peter (Rachel’s husband) and John (Rachel’s brother and former driver #76) set up the races, scrutineer and undertake all safety checks each meeting, marshalling in the Pits and supporting the track teams on the Oval”.
Over the years and during this last season the Rebels formula have had several families racing alongside and against each other, including current World-Wide Rebellion Champion 31 Karl Emmett and Sister 131 Nicole Emmett, 2019 World Masters Champion 80 Keith “Murph” Murphy #80 and Son 81 Shay Murphy, and current European Champion 1 Ian Chalkley and Nephew 169 Ben Chalkley, along with many other current Father and Son and Brother teams and plenty more from throughout the years.
Over the years and during this last season the Rebels formula have had several families racing alongside and against each other, including current World-Wide Rebellion Champion 31 Karl Emmett and Sister 131 Nicole Emmett, 2019 World Masters Champion 80 Keith “Murph” Murphy #80 and Son 81 Shay Murphy, and current European Champion 1 Ian Chalkley and Nephew 169 Ben Chalkley, along with many other current Father and Son and Brother teams and plenty more from throughout the years.
Nice and smart – Petrolhead Images
In recent years the formula has seen many young drivers joining from Karting, National Ministox and StoxKarts, including 81 Shay Murphy 405, Josh Hampstead, 471 Alaster Houghton and 468 Bradley Cooper, not forgetting formulas like Modstox with drivers such as 125 Ashley Palethorpe looking for their next racing step up. The club is very proud to say, “whatever their reason for joining us, everyone is welcome at Rebels Racing”.
One driver has raced in the formula since the formula started in 1995. 8 Dave Morley has raced at over 700 meetings and will be back for the 2020 season. The 2020 season marks the very impressive 25th anniversary for the Rebels Racing formula and with plans to celebrate this magnificent milestone underway, the club will be “highlighting throughout this anniversary season the very spirit and enthusiasm that Rebels Racing was always intended to hold”. Continuing to say that “we will be marking the achievement of every driver, mechanic, pit crew/family member and follower who have joined us over our first quarter of a century”. It’s a huge year for the Rebels! Founder and creator Hans Kirimaa told us that “25 years ago, I could never have imagined Rebels being as incredible as it has been. People have embraced the formula from the beginning, and continue to do so – the racing has become faster, more skilful and more competitive as time has gone on”, continuing to say “thank you to all the drivers, their families and all those who have supported us over the years. Long may it continue”.
If you would like to find out more about the Rebels Racing formula, check out rebelsracing.com or their Facebook page. We would like to thank the club for taking the time to talk to us and wish the formula continued success into their 2020 season.