Plans are well underway for a new controlled Formula 1600 class to get underway in the 2019/20 season. The Motorsport New Zealand board recently approved a proposal to run the new Class One field commencing in the 2019-20 season.

The cars will be identical Spectrums running two-way dampers and powered by a Kent engine built to Schedule F regulations. It is understood that the engines will have a CNC’d cast iron head, again built as identically as possible.

The proposal is to lease the cars and not sell them with the intention of eventually fielding up to 20 cars of both local and international drivers. This would be similar to the current ‘arrive and drive’ Toyota Racing Series model, rather than individual chassis ownership. The group organising the new class have not publicly identified themselves but reportedly are associated with the F1600 category.

“We think this has great potential to add to the Formula 1600 category that we have today,” commented Derek Wilson, chairman of the South Island Formula Ford Club, organisers of the current NZ Formula 1600 and the South Island Formula 1600 Championship. “We welcome this addition and look forward to working with Motorsport NZ and the organisers of the new class.”

The Formula 1600 category would run at all Tier One Speedworks meetings under Schedule CH, and compete for the national F1600 title.

Currently the South Island Formula Ford Club (SIFF) run both the national and South Island championship. The Motorsport NZ executive supports the proposal that the organisers of the control category would take over the running of the national championship.

Current Class 1 cars would be reclassified as Class 2 and would still be able to compete for the national championship.

With plenty of work and discussion to take place this is an exciting addition to the all important single seater category.