The five-round Crème Insurance North Island Formula Ford Series (NIFF) gets underway this Sunday at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park with qualifying and three races over the one-day Auckland Car Club Combined Race & Sprints Meeting.
Returning to the category are Oliver Sentch (Van Diemen Stealth), who finished second overall in last season’s NIFF Series, Braxton Kraayvanger, who will drive the ex-Sebastian and Marco Manson-winning Spectrum 015, James Collie (Van Diemen RF91) and Olivia Lorenzen (Mygale).
Several changes have been made to the Formula Ford Class structure for the coming season, designed to bring more existing Formula Fords back onto the grid and create a more affordable entry point for young drivers.
Class 1 cars will be for chassis manufactured from 2000 on. All Stealth chassis will move into Class 2 (Cars manufactured from 1993–1999) and Class 3 for cars manufactured from 1980 through to 31 December 1992.
Rodin Cars are providing significant financial support across both North and South Island series and the NZ Formula Ford Championship (NZFF) with $20,000 for pole position awards for both Classes 1 and 2, and prize money for the first three competitors overall at each round.
In addition, more than NZ$70,000 has been allocated to the NZFF travel fund, helping competitors meet the cost of contesting the national championship. Together, the prize and travel funds represent more than NZ$90,000 in direct support for competitors.
A ten-minute qualifying session takes place first thing on Sunday with the first of two 12-lap races at 11:27 and a final 15-lap race at 16:17.
The NIFF organising committee acknowledge the support of major sponsor Crème Insurance, along with Rodin Cars. Yokohama continues to back the series, along with support from NAPA and its Driver of the Day award.
Entries:
- Braxton Kraayvanger (Spectrum 015) Class 1
- Oliver Sentch (Van Diemen Stealth) Class 2
- Olivia Lorenzen (Mygale) Class 1
- James Collie (Van Diemen RF91) Class 3
- Mike Davidson (Reynard 84F) Historic
- Tony Graham (Van Diemen RF85) Historic
- Michael Sexton (Swift) Historic
- Ian West (Van Diemen RF79), Historic
2026/27 Crème Insurance North Island Formula Ford Series Calendar:
- Rnd 1: 4 October 2026, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Auckland Car Club – one day event
- Rnd 2: 1 November 2026, Taupo Motorsport Park, Auckland Car Club – one day event
- Rnd 3: 5-6 December 2026, Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, Manawatu Car Club
- Rnd 4: 13-14 March 2027, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, NZIGP
- Rnd 5: 3-4 April 2027, Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, Manawatu Car Club
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
