The topic of Formula Vee has generated great interest and debate in recent years. With conflicting opinions and diverse positions, Formula Vee has become a point of discussion between experts and society in general. In this article, we will explore different aspects of Formula Vee, from its origin to its impact today. We will analyze the different perspectives that exist around Formula Vee, as well as its relevance in different areas. Additionally, we will examine how Formula Vee has evolved over time and what its future projection is. Join us on this journey to discover everything you need to know about Formula Vee!
Formula Vee (Formula Fau Vee in Germany) or Formula Volkswagen is a popular open wheel, single-seater junior motor racing formula, with relatively low costs in comparison to Formula Ford.
On the international stage, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg, all Formula 1 champions, and Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champion, raced Formula Vees in Europe, New Zealand, or America at the beginning of their careers. In Australia, V8 Supercar drivers Larry Perkins, Colin Bond, John Blanchard, John Bowe, Jason Bargwanna and Paul Stokell were also racers in Formula Vee.
Formula First, raced in the US and New Zealand, employs the same chassis, but with upgraded motor, brakes and steering. Australia’s modern Formula Vee car rules are the definition for Formula First in these countries
The class is based on the pre-1963 Volkswagen Beetle, utilizing a collection of stock parts to form a competitive race car around a purpose-built tube frame and racing tires. The VW engine, transmission, front suspension, brakes, and wheels are stock or modified stock parts. The body is fiberglass or carbon fiber. The intention of this class is for the average person to be able to build and maintain the car.[citation needed]
Over the years, the rules have evolved to improve performance, lower cost, and to allow the replacement of discontinued parts. In 2003, Grassroots Motorsports presented Formula Vee with the Editors' Choice Award.
Unlike many open-wheel formulas, Formula Vee cars are not permitted to use wings or ground effect to produce aerodynamic downforce. The lack of these features, the limited engine power, and the similar performance of the cars makes taking advantage of slipstreaming a key tactic.[citation needed]
A top-running Formula Vee car will go 190 km/h (120 mph) and corner at about 1.6 g. It weighs a minimum of 465 kg (1,025 lb) with driver or 500 kg (1,100 lb) with driver as raced in the Australian 1,600 cc (98 cu in) specification.
Purchasing and running a Formula Vee car is relatively affordable compared to most motorsport categories. In 2022, a brand-new race car for the Australian Formula Vee series was estimated to cost approximately AU$50,000 to AU$55,000 (approximately $US37,000), with competitive second-hand cars costing much less.[citation needed] Renting a car for a race meeting was estimated at $A1000 (approximately $US700).
Each year, Formula Vee is one of the classes at the SCCA Runoffs, which awards a national championship. While it is primarily a class in the Sports Car Club of America, many other organizations have adopted Formula Vee as a class.[citation needed]
Variants of the Formula Vee rules exist in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, the UK & Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Particularly notable is Formula First, racing in the US and New Zealand, which employs the same chassis, but with later model Beetle parts, a larger 1,600 cc (98 cu in) motor (New Zealand uses the 1,200 cc variant) and other upgraded components such as disc brakes rack and pinion steering.[citation needed]
(Formula Super Vee, although initially similar, soon moved to water-cooled 1.6-litre (98 cu in) VW four-cylinder engines for higher-tech and faster cars).
Year | Driver | Car |
---|---|---|
1964 | ![]() |
Formcar |
1965 | ![]() |
Beach 5 |
1966 | ![]() |
Zink |
1967 | ![]() |
Zink |
1968 | ![]() |
Zink |
1969 | ![]() |
Zink |
1970 | ![]() |
Zink |
1971 | ![]() |
Lynx |
1972 | ![]() |
Autodynamics |
1973 | ![]() |
Zink |
1974 | ![]() |
Lynx |
1975 | ![]() |
Lynx B |
1976 | ![]() |
Agitator |
1977 | ![]() |
Lynx B |
1978 | ![]() |
Vista Bushwaker |
1979 | ![]() |
Zink |
1980 | ![]() |
Zink Z12.5 |
1981 | ![]() |
Vista Bushwaker |
1982 | ![]() |
Caracal |
1983 | ![]() |
Zink Z12 |
1984 | ![]() |
Zink Z12 |
1985 | ![]() |
Citation 85V |
1986 | ![]() |
Caracal D |
1987 | ![]() |
Racer's Wedge |
1988 | ![]() |
Caracal D |
1989 | ![]() |
Caracal C |
1990 | ![]() |
Caracal C |
1991 | ![]() |
Mysterian |
1992 | ![]() |
Racer's Wage |
1993 | ![]() |
Caracal C |
1994 | ![]() |
Caracal C |
1995 | ![]() |
Adams Aero |
1996 | ![]() |
Mysterian M2 |
1997 | ![]() |
Caracal D |
1998 | ![]() |
Protoform |
1999 | ![]() |
Mysterian M2 |
2000 | ![]() |
Mysterian M2 |
2001 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2002 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2003 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2004 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2005 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2006 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2007 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2008 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2009 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2010 | ![]() |
VDF |
2011 | ![]() |
Mysterian M2 |
2012 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2013 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2014 | ![]() |
VDF |
2015 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2016 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2017 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM-5 |
2018 | ![]() |
Speed Sport AM- |
2019 | ![]() |
Protoform P2 |
2020 | ![]() |
Vortech |
2021 | ![]() |
Protoform P2 |
2022 | ![]() |
Silver Bullet FR-S |
2023 | ![]() |
Protoform P3 |
Michael Varacins has the most titles with seven.
† Denotes President's Cup Winner
Country | Series/Event Name | Active Years | Additional Information | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Formula Vee Australia Series | 1965–present | ||
![]() |
Formula 1200 Championship Series | 1965–present | ||
Challenge Cup Series | 2015–present | Also competes in the United States of America. | ||
Autumn Challenge Cup Series | 2013–2014 | Also competed in the United States of America. This series became the Challenge Cup Series. | ||
Pacific Challenge Cup Series | 2022-Present | Also competes in the United States of America. This series is held on the West Coast of Canada and the USA | ||
![]() |
Selco.ie National Championship Series | Unknown-present | ||
![]() |
Campeonato Paulista de Formula Vee | 2011-present | ||
Copa ECPA | Unknown-present | |||
Fórmula Vee Open | 2021-present | Exclusively for beginners | ||
![]() |
Formula First New Zealand Championship Series | 1967-present | ||
![]() |
Formula Vee Championship | 1966–present | Longest running motor racing championship in South Africa | |
![]() |
Formula Vee Championship Series | 1967–present | ||
750 Motor Club Formula Vee Championship | 1979–present | |||
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Formula Vee at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs | 1964–present | Oldest Formula Vee event in the world. | |
Challenge Cup Series | 2015–present | Also competes in Canada. | ||
Northeast Formula Vee Championship Series | Unknown-present | |||
Autumn Challenge Cup Series | 2013–2014 | Also competed in Canada. This series became the Challenge Cup Series. |
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