Morris switches from Euro Formula Renault to new British F4 championship! by Marc Orme & Rob Allender

Multiple motor racing champion, and WRDA member, Seb Morris has confirmed a late switch from the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup he was planning to contest and will instead race in the brand new BRDC Formula 4 Championship. A number of crucial factors caused a late change of plan, not least a heavily compromised pre-season testing schedule, Seb in close consultation with his management team, has taken the decision to move into F4. While remaining very much part of the Fortec Motorsports ‘family’, with whom he was due to race in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, Seb will now be reunited with Hillspeed, the team that took him to two Ginetta Junior crowns, for this new title challenge.

Smile please! Seb celebrates a dominant win at Rockingham in 2012, with driving coach Matt Shawyer (left) and mentor and top Welsh racer, Andy Meyrick (photo Rob Allender)

Outlining the situation, Seb’s friend and mentor Andy Meyrick commented: “With Seb’s A-Level and MSA Academy course commitments, together with a delay in the receipt of confirmed overseas sponsorship, it became apparent our preparations for the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC campaign were compromised and not to the level we would deem appropriate to challenge for the title. Seb will now mount a challenge for the F4 Championship instead, which we consider to be a very meaningful and competitive  category, with the Hillspeed team.” Seb is relishing the prospect of reuniting with the Richard Ollerenshaw-led Hillspeed squad which helped him become the youngest ever winner of the Ginetta Junior Winter Series in 2010 – aged just 14 – before going on to claim the main 2011 Ginetta Junior Championship title. He will also continue his association with driver coach Matt Shawyer who has been a key part of the Ginetta Ambassador’s car racing career since day one. Added to the aforementioned Ginetta Junior titles, the pair will be aiming for a fourth successive championship victory together having also won the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series crown with Fortec.

“I really am looking forward to competing in BRDC Formula 4 this year and delivering as many wins as I can for Ginetta, who I will be proudly representing, and the guys at Hillspeed”, Seb commented, “With TV coverage on ITV4 and Motors TV and backing from the BRDC, Jonathan Palmer of MotorSport Vision has created a very exciting championship package.

“I want to thank Richard Dutton and the Fortec team, for all they have done for me and to also confirm I am looking forward to embarking on a concerted test programme with Fortec to fully prepare for a European campaign of some sort in 2014. This may also entail some European races later this year dependent on my, and the team’s, commitments.”

The 185 bhp Cosworth Duratec-powered MSV F4-013 chassis which Seb will drive will be painted in the orange colour scheme of Ginetta Cars, that Seb made famous last year.. His first test outing is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. The cars engine, gearbox and shock absorers are all sealed. Chassis adjustmenta are limited too; with ride heights, tracking, cambers and castor, free within specified limits. Anti-Roll bars and wings are adjustable and there a choice of 3 spring rates

There will be three 20 Minutes races per event. The grid for race 1 will be decided by on 20 minutes Qualifing session, and grid for races 2 & 3 will be decided by the finishing order or race 1. In race 2 the first 8 places will be switcheda nd the grid for the third race in order of fastest laps from race 1 or 2. The orangisers comments are "Such a format will provide exciting racing, the opportunity for misfortune in qualifying or races not to ruin the weekend and for drivers to develop overtaking skills"

Points will be scored from 30 for a win to 1 for 20th. The two worst results from races at events entered will be dropped from final championship points.

The championship winner will get £25,000 in cash and an F3 test will Carlin + the £5,000 Who Zooms’ Award, sponsored by Yoozoom for the driver who gains the most grid places during the 2013 season. The leading six drivers at the mid season point will also be rewarded with a special tour of the renowned McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. Aslo the winner may be selected as a McLaren Autosport BRDC finalist

http://www.formula4.com/ 

Times from www.tsl-timing.com