6 December, 2007: Sixty potential British Formula Ford Championship contenders were in action at Silverstone yesterday to test the latest chassis and meet the teams.

They were taking part in the Ford-backed championship's 'Sampler Day', organised by series promoter RacingLine to assist established and new teams to find racing recruits for the coming season.

Several drivers from this year's BFFC were in action with new teams, as well as some notable names from other single-seater series and several fresh-from-karting newcomers.

"It's been a great success for everyone involved," said RacingLine director Sam Roach, "and once again we have been delighted by the genuine level of interest from prospective competitors. It all bodes very well for Formula Ford's continued success next season."

Among the well-known faces at Silverstone to sample a Duratec-powered Formula Ford chassis for the first time were reigning Formula Vee Champion Martin Galpin; Nelson Rowe, a multiple championship victor in historic Formula Ford and Caterham sports cars; Formula Palmer Audi driver Matt Hamilton; and ex-Formula BMW and Formula Renault contender Chris Holmes. "I'm very keen to find a Formula Ford seat for 2008. It's looking like a good option for me," said Holmes. "I have just tried the works Ray and I'm impressed… it's a good car."

Several Ginetta sports car graduates were present, including Nick Ponting, Nigel Moore, Alice Powell and Ashley Craig, and from the Saxmax championship Chrissy Palmer and Nina Atkinson.

Familiar faces from the 2007 British Formula Ford grid included Marcus Weller, Roger Orgee, Phillipe Layac, Jamie Jardine, Linton Stuteley and Garry Findlay, the latter at the wheel of the Mygale with which he will contest the championship next season.

Reigning champions Jamun Racing headed the roster of teams at Silverstone and demonstrated a 2008-specification Mygale. Leading British manufacturer Van Diemen meanwhile showed off its new DP08 chassis and Raysport its latest Rays. Other established teams present included Fluid Motorsport, Getem Racing, Kevin Mills Racing, Acer Motorsport, Myerscough College, Marque Cars, Alan Docking Racing and JTR, which was fielding the first of the three Mygale chassis it intends to run.

Another team switching to Mygale for '08 is Remita Racing. The squad took delivery of its first chassis - Callum MacLeod's championship-winning machine - on the day and it was pressed into action immediately. Remita boss Jan Koszuta was delighted with the opportunity to test six drivers: "The day has been a great chance to get people into a car so they can see for themselves what a Formula Ford is really like." 2006 champion Nathan Freke was Remita's driver instructor for the day.

Mike O'Brien's Speedsport team was present also with the Van Diemen chassis it is evaluating for the coming year; T Cars Champion Daniel Brown was at the wheel. "We would very much like to be running a car in the championship next year," said O'Brien.

Another team new to the championship is Wiltshire College, the Castle Combe-based motorsport academy. Wiltshire will run two Spectrum chassis in the BFFC after success in the Castle Combe FF1600 series, with students handling all aspects of the test and race programmes. Wiltshire College commercial manager Haydn Earl said: "Moving up to the British Championship is an ideal next step for the college and for the students, who are very enthusiastic about the project."

Steven Jensen, Combe FF1600 Class B champion and overall championship runner-up, will pilot one of the Wiltshire Spectrums and enjoyed his first taste of Duratec power yesterday.

Yesterday's event also provided the opportunity for the 2007 British Formula Ford Champion, Callum MacLeod, and his runner-up, James Nash, to take advantage of their 'prize test' in a Fluid Motorsport Formula 3 Lola. It was MacLeod's second outing in a competitive F3 car, the youngster having already sampled an Ultimate Motorsport Mygale.

Nash thoroughly enjoyed his test: "It was a great opportunity," said James, "and a really valuable experience with more than 20 laps in the car." Nash is seeking to join his Formula Ford rivals Nick Tandy and Jay Bridger in British F3 next season, budget permitting, but may follow in the wheeltracks of former FF men Christian Ebbesvik and Marc Murray into the Spanish F3 series.

Those future stars too young to go behind the wheel of a Formula Ford were not forgotten - a group of nine Cadet Karters was given rides around the track in Ford saloons by Silverstone instructors, and they and their parents were given a guided tour of Race Control also.

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