Ambrose supports new Formula Ford series

Marcos Ambrose has thrown his support behind a new Formula Ford series run by the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance alongside the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series from 2025.

The series is named Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series, and will be held across 10 rounds, featuring five doubleheaders at circuits such as Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway and Mallala.

The Formula Ford Stars class is for Duratec powered machines, while the Renegades category is for the older and lower powered Kent engine cars.

Every round will be shown live and free on SBS, as well as Fox Sports Australia, Kayo, Sky New Zealand, and globally on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series YouTube channel.

Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series will see competitors fighting for over $50k in prizes, those to be announced in due course.

The AASA run Formula Ford national series has two big names behind it in Ambrose and former HRT leader Jeff Grech.

Ambrose knows how to excel in Formula Ford, finishing the long-running national series fourth and second in 1996 and 1997.

He then went to England and finished fifth and third in the British championship, where 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button was crowned champion.

“This series is exciting for young drivers making their way up the motorsport ladder, as well as those who continue support Formula Ford and open-wheel racing in Australia,” Ambrose said.

“The quality prize pool gives meaning and purpose for the drivers competing, and the TV package provides them a real shot to get noticed.

“Formula Ford remains one of the best cars in which to learn your motorsport trade, it teaches both race craft and how to set up a racing car.

“I competed in Formula Ford back in the day and have fond memories, I know how this category shapes a driver. 

“That is why next year I’ll be running two cars in this series, including one for my daughter Tabitha.

“It is a great initiative by AASA to bring the Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series to life and the supporting sponsors who have made it work, I look forward to being involved in the series from 2025.”

Back in 1994 Grech plucked a young Craig Lowndes out of Formula Ford and put him in the Holden Racing Team and thirty years on he will manage the new series.

“If you can drive a Formula Ford, you can drive anything, it is as simple as that,” Grech said.

“Even in recent years it has produced brilliant stars, but we felt it deserved more airtime and publicity.

“This is great, not only for Formula Ford, but for the AASA to have a national category steeped in history.

“The news gets even better, the series will be well supported with over $50,000 worth of prizes on offer for drivers competing next year. We will reveal all early in the new year.”

Each round kicks off with qualifying before a Sprint race and a Feature race, ensuring there are a minimum of four races each weekend, totalling 20 races across the season.

A 10-round calendar has been locked in, visiting four states. 

For more information on the national Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series contact Jeff

Grech at [email protected]

2025 AASA Formula Ford Stars and Renegades Series Calendar

Round 1/2 – Winton Motor Raceway – Feb 28-Mar 2

Round 3/4 – Sydney Motorsport Park – May 30-Jun 1

Round 5/6 – Queensland Raceway – Jun 27-29

Round 7/8 – Mallala Motor Sport Park – Sep 26-28

Round 9/10 – Winton Motor Raceway – Oct 31-Nov 2

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