Another new face on the Ford-engined grids at Donington was Joe Ahrens, driving an Enigma Motorsport Van Diemen RF80 in Classic Formula Ford. He had a strong debut, earning a seventh and fifth place and showing good overtaking skills in on-track rivalry with PRS driver Paul Britten.
This is rather remarkable considering that the first Classic race was actually his first-ever race in cars. He has competed in international karting and has been around senior motorsport as a driver coach and a mechanic.
Ahrens found it relatively easy to adapt to the Formula Ford.
“Apart from the suspension, it’s not too dissimilar to a go-kart,”, he explained.
“It’s about as close as your can get really, in a car.”
More nerve-wracking than getting used to a new machine was having the car’s owner, 2017 Historic Formula Ford champion Richard Tarling, watching over him.
“It’s a little bit more expensive than a go-kart.”
Ahrens will be in action again at Brands Hatch this weekend and will be hoping to build on his great start. He is planning to race for the rest of the season.
Image courtesy of Richard Towler
Vintage Formula Ford 