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The first Formula Four car to compete
in Canada was a Walker imported from England, fitted
with a Suzuki 250 cc. engine. The car was first
driven by Jim Johnston (now a respected writer with
PRN magazine) at Harewood Acres Ontario, in June
1967. The Walker had been imported by Bob Long of
London Ontario from Johnny Walker Racing Ltd. Bob
went to Europe in Jan 1967 in an attempt to locate
an open wheel car that could be raced inexpensively,
and there he discovered Formula Four. Initially he
ordered two cars, one for Jim, and one for himself
with 3 more cars coming to Canada by the end of
1969. Incidentally, Bob first raced his Walker F4
car in July 1967 and since that time has developed a
long (pun intended) and successful competition
record, winning the Three Quarter Litre Championship
and CASC Ontario Region Championship numerous times.
Bob's most recent championship win was in 1998,
after which he hung up his race shoes in order to
try his hand at retirement. (Ed. He failed and as of
2007 Bob has come back out of retirement building
yet another new and successful car). Due to the
limited technical rules related to the class, many
different cars and variations of existing cars have
appeared over the years with the Walker, Vixen and
Xpit (pronounced Speet) being the most popular ones.
You don’t have to build your own car to compete in
F4, as there are a number of cars usually available
for sale, but anyone who does have the time and
inclination to build a car has the potential to do
well and enjoy racing in F4.
Formula Four cars have competed continuously in the
CASC Ontario Region Championship, since that first race in 1967. The
current 750 cc engine specifications were introduced in 1970, and at
that point in time the Three Quarter Litre Association was formed.
In the late 70’s there were as many as 20 active F4 cars racing in
Ontario and Quebec with Association “road trips” to Newfoundland (Argentia),
Nova Scotia (Halifax), Manitoba (Gimli), Michigan (MIS, Gratton &
Waterford Hills), Ohio (Mid Ohio & Nelson Ledges), New York (Watkins
Glen), Illinois (Blackhawk Farms) and Wisconsin (Road America).
Formula Four (F4) racing conforms to the CASC General
Race Regulations. Rules peculiar to the F4 class are determined by
the Three Quarter Litre Association (TQLA). All rules and rule
changes are set a year in advance by currently active licensed
drivers, who are members of TQLA. Power units are generally normally
aspirated high performance motor cycle engines of up to 750 cc
capacity, of which a minimum availability of 1000 production units
must have been built. In race trim these engines can develop in
excess of 120 bhp running on either alcohol or pump gas. Turbo
powered engines are allowed but must be restricted to 500 cc.
Chassis designs are quite modern and sophisticated, and may utilize
inboard suspension systems, wings and ground effects. Minimum weight
including driver must exceed 825 lb. (Approx. 375 kg.) at the end of
a race session. |
