Ford series

[37coupe13]

Well if it's true, another great series is dead!!Canadian Formula Ford series.
Thanks MR .Berman !!

[Cindy]

Is this type of posting supposed to encourage promoters and sponsors to get involved with our sport? Are you offering some sort of solution to the problem of obtaining and keeping sponsorship and high profile Canadian racing series?

If you aren't part of the solution you ARE part of the problem. By all means, if you can do a better job get out there and do so!

[Steven Scala]

Well if the post confirms that the opportunity is now open for a promoter to pick up the Formula Ford ball and run with it, then I say post away.

[23Racer]

Cindy, while I agree with your feelings about negative comments hurting everyone, without putting words into 37 coupe 13's mouth his frustrations are with Mr. Berman. As someone who has had the opportunity to be involved with a couple of Mr. Berman run series over the years I can understand his frustrations from a competitors point of view.

What is not generally known is that ASN Canada granted the Berman group exclusive rights to run Formula Ford, Formula 2000 and "Showroom Stock" (or any semblance thereof) in Canada for an indefinite period of time. I'm not sure of the length of term. If you wanted to start a series that used these types of cars, you couldn't get ASN sanctioning and approval and the Berman Group vigorously defended its rights using legal means.

The Berman Group is a business first and foremost and he wanted to make money from the series he ran. If he couldn't make the money he needed (costs + profits) he shut down the series and prevented anyone else from starting a series that infringed on his ASN granted rights unless he got his share.

This is not wrong in business, but in a sport where the great majority of us do this as a passionate hobby he was often seen as a frustrating roadblock to many attempts by well meaning people in their efforts to grow car roadracing in Canada.

The real question should be why he was granted such broad reaching rights in Canada by the ASN.

[37coupe13]

Thanks 23 racer.
You put my answer in the a kinder,more polictical way .(about the organiser)
All i have seen is 2 great series go the old 2000 series, and now the Ford series.

[John Powell]

The real question should be why he was granted such broad reaching rights in Canada by the ASN. I agree. I'm not too familiar with the series involved, but, on general principle any grant of monopoly rights MUST be conditional on the excercising of those rights within a given time period, with loss of those rights if they are not excercised. Ma Bell has been granted a monopoly for local telephone service in Ontario and Quebec. If they closed down due to a poor return on investment, do you think that the Federal Government would allow them to block others from providing such service? In the same manner that they owe this duty to their taxpayers/consumers, then surely ASN owes this same duty to their constituents, in this instance the closed-wheel racers? In my opinion, it is incumbent on ASN to either force this promoter to run an acceptable series, or cancel his monopoly, and the Presidents of the various Regions should bring this to their attention. And rather pointedly, if necessary.:mad:

[23Racer]

I think that if more Canadian racers were aware of the restrictions placed on new multi province series involvong "showroom stock" (like old Firehawk/ Motorola Cup style) they would be surprised.

I just hope that some broader thinking can arise from the Canadian Formula Ford Series situation that may allow new blood to help grow racing in Canada.

I do know that from coast to coast, Regional Club Racing Presidents are fully aware of the situation and do their best to open up the situation. Presently they work within the ASN restraints and provide the best opportunities possible for racers in their areas of responsibilities.

[Bill Lobban]

Unfortunately, other than moral persuasion the Regions have absolutely no democratic power to change any decisions made by ASN Canada FIA. ASN Canada is a completely autonomous body representing only themselves. Democracy stops at the Regional level.

[wpfri]

I was not aware the series was being shut down,could someone e-mail me the details about the series.The costs etc,I am willing to look at sponsoring the series. Sales@wpfri.com

William
Williams Performance Friction

[wpfri]

Forgot the phone # 1-800-480-7390

William

[Oddball]

wpfri check your PM's.


I'm still not sure it's sponsor issues that made Eric pull the chain on the series. He knew over a year ago that he was losing Fords sponsorship money. Who knows. Business I guess.

[wpfri]

Oddball thanks for the info.