Yahoo Autos Houk, Sullivan set for Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival
Well over 50 drivers, including Team USA Scholarship representatives Ayrton Houk, 20, from McCordsville, Ind., and Jack Sullivan, 17, from Hamilton, Ohio, are set to tackle the historic Brands Hatch circuit in the 52nd annual BRSCC Formula Ford Festival. The event officially kicks off on Saturday morning with qualifying for three 12-lap Heat races to set the grids for the Semi Final round on Sunday morning.
Houk and Sullivan are following in some illustrious footsteps. The Team USA Scholarship is supported by a wide range of entities from the United States motorsports community, which has been providing opportunities for talented youngsters since 1990. Jimmy Vasser was the inaugural scholarship recipient, while reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden was the first American to win the Formula Ford Festival — carrying Team USA’s distinctive patriotic colors — in 2008.
“I am very excited to kick off the 2023 Formula Ford Festival tomorrow morning here at Brands Hatch,” said Houk, who finished third in this year’s FRP F1600 Championship Series in the U.S. “Coming off of three solid days of testing I am confident and ready to see how Jack and I stack up against the field in qualifying.
“The past three days have been a great experience running in full wet, damp, drying and full dry and really getting to understand how the balance of the car changes for each. The track itself looks simple from the outside; however, it is quite tricky to drive as each corner presents unique challenges. Altogether, I have had a amazing time testing at this historic track and cannot wait to get racing in the next couple of days.”
“Testing was great,” added Sullivan, who took third in the FRP series in a car entered and prepared by himself and his father. “It was awesome to finally get on track at Brands Hatch and it was great to have had three days to get adjusted. It was a bit difficult to find pace at first but finally in the very last session I was able to find a good rhythm. I’m super excited for qualifying and the heat race tomorrow after the great finish to our Friday.
“My initial impression of Brands Hatch was the elevation of Paddock Hill Bend and Hailwood Hill. I don’t think pictures really can capture how steep the hill really is. When I hit the compression at the bottom of the hill, I feel my eye lids and cheeks being pushed down by the G-forces. With the rain, it becomes a whole different animal with Surtees and Clearways having absolutely no grip and to be fast, you have to be on the very outside of Clearways, just inches from the gravel trap. This place is just incredible.”
Houk and Sullivan will drive a pair of Ray Formula Ford cars run by the Ammonite Motorsport team. They are joined this weekend by a strong U.S. contingent, including teammates Nolan Allaer, who after running for the entire season in the UK, recently returned home to score a fine victory in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at VIRginia International Raceway, and Hugh Esterson, whose brother Max carried Team USA colors in 2021 and last year returned to score a proud victory in the Formula Ford Festival. In addition, Festival veteran Jeremy Fairbairn has shown strong pace during the latter part of the UK season, while FRP champion Porter Aiken and 16-year-old Isaac Canto da Silva also will be making their UK debuts.
Sullivan has been drawn in Heat One and will be first onto the track tomorrow at 9:00am for qualifying. His Heat race is set to start at 11:40am. Houk will venture out for Heat Two qualifying at 9:50am, with his race due to start immediately after the lunch break at 12:55pm. The schedule is subject to change. The events will be live streamed on the BRSCC’s YouTube channel.
