302 Levi Harris– Oval Banger Videos
Build specification is rather open, with “pretty much any 1.0L car” able to race fitted with a full roll cage. We’re told that the most popular choice is K11 16V Micras as they are cheap and readily available. Engines must have to have the rev limiter in place preventing too much money being spent on engines keeping costs as low as possible. “Extended bottom arm and small suspension modifications” are allowed but again this is all small stuff designed to save money. Decent competitive 2nd hand cars can be regularly bought for around £600, much cheaper than the majority of junior formulas currently racing on our ovals.
The group race at tracks that are run independently, currently Angmering (Worthing), Tongham and Smallfield Raceway. “Numbers At Smallfield have been great all year with 40 kids regularly competing, these are spilt into A and B and is based on the level of experience to keep things as even as possible”. This split in ability allows the youngsters to develop their skills against drivers similar to themselves; a huge confidence boost to all. “Tongham again splits the kids on levels of experience and regularly get over 30 cars, with Angmering seeing a real increase in numbers which are again split, a good day will see around 30 cars at the fast Concrete Oval”. These tracks are all very different and are perfect for driver development, whilst also being great fun to race on!
Lining up at Tongham – Southern Junior Rods
Darren says that “racing on difference surfaces seems to really help the kids with experience. The clay of Smallfield has challenges with grip and bumps, Tongham is almost like shale and with an off-camber corner it really means the kids have to think about the racing line. While Angmering is one of the fastest ovals you can race at, but it only takes a little rain for grip levels to change dramatically”. Whilst some of the drivers have specific cars for tarmac and dirt “the majority just change the tyres and go racing”, once again keeping the cost of racing down and it being more about driver talent than an expensive engine and chassis.
It’s clear to say that Southern Junior Rods have a strong following from families and Darren believes it’s mainly due to cost. Spedeworth and Incarace had a Junior Rod case but dropped them in the last few years which was a real shame, but they still have a great following of Junior Bangers and the newer formula Micrastox which seems like it will eventually replace the ORC Ministox, but theirs nothing for the non-contact side. “When they ran Rods previously Spedeworth did not allow 16v engines, this lead to big money being spent on earlier Nissan Micra (k10) engines and Vauxhall Engines. Darren says that Junior formulas are designed to get the future generations racing, and he feels that the “attitude of non-ORC tracks always seems much more relaxed”.
The club is starting to look at more tracks for this year, “with several of us looking to go and race at Ringwood next year. Their rules are very similar to the other tracks we race at, but the long terms plan will hopefully be that we can get tracks together to put a series together. “We would also love to get a couple of ‘away days’ at tracks giving us chance to demonstrate both what the formula can be and the skill levels shown by the younger generation”. Another track is Standlake “as it’s nice and central but that is something we are going to work on in 2020. Swaffham was also mentioned but their rules differ to ours at the moment. We had 2 lads visit from Buxton latter part of this year, we would love to repay the favour next year by going up there”.
So fast it's a blur! – Oval Banger Videos
Darren says that any family wanting to get their child into the formula should just do it! “The Southern Junior Rods are a great community where everyone helps everyone. The kids all end making friends with other racers and the social on the day of racing is as good as the racing itself. I don’t believe there is a kids formula out there that can be done as cheap as these. A 2nd hand car for £600 will get you out there and racing, and with damage kept to a minimum will last you a long time. Spares are easy to get, even 1.0 engines are cheap as these aren’t really wanted by any other formulas”. Continuing to say that “all 3 tracks allow someone to sit with the kids when they 1st start so teaching them can be achieved relatively easily, and being a passenger is an experience in itself!”
We thank Darren from Southern Junior Rods for coming forward to us, they are the first Junior formula we’ve had shown interested in us and for that we are grateful. We wish them the best of luck for the future and for more information please contact them via their Facebook page.