FFR Challenge Series Racer
 
Series Information

The legendary Bob Bondurant takes the pole at the exhibition race during the November 2003 Nationals Race in Las Vegas Nevada.
 

The dream of many racers is to find the perfect race car that has the optimum combination of performance, safety, and affordablity. Many types of modern auto racing began with the noble goals of providing grassroots level racing in an affordable and yet challenging and exciting format. Unfortunately, as has so often happened in the past, many of these programs have grown to become tangled in rules, burdened with high costs and stifled by limited competitive driving opportunities.

In 2000 we set the goals for the FFR team to support a national and regional level competitive program that can provide safe, reliable, affordable racing in an exciting wheel-to-wheel format.

To keep our Spec racing program on track today and over the years, we live by four big goals for everyone to see.  They shape every decision that is made regarding the configuration, price, design and future of our spec car and the series.  These goals surround us and keep us true to our mission.
 

  • Safety:  Safety of the drivers and competitors is the highest priority.

 

  • Affordable Racing:  The average customer must be able to build a Challenge Series car for a completed cost of about $20,000.  The cars must be engineered to deliver excellent reliability and low seasonal maintenance. 

 

  • Excitement and Performance:  The cars must combine lightning acceleration, powerful brakes and high-end handling and the series must provide an exciting, vintage racing experience.

 

  • Rewards:  The series is to provide ways in which drivers and their teams can earn recognition without losing the pure amateur racing focus.

 

The inaugural season on the East coast went well.  One of the first races at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) saw a field of about eight cars going wheel-to-wheel.  This was the first in a series of races that would help to form today’s program. Check out event reports over the years as the series has grown.

In less than two years the series had grown to add the West coast region.  2003 introduced three more Challenge Series regions (Texas, Ohio-Mich, and North East).  The program is now in full swing. 

  Dick Smith (left) and Bob Bondurant at Spec Race 2002

 

The 2002 National race was the first time series racers from all over the country gathered to find out who’s fastest.  One valuable part of owning a Challenge Series car is that you are invited to the Nationals each year.  Check out the events calendar to find out where this years’ National race will be held. 

The Challenge car design has had help from a lot of sources.  The versatility of the design is the result of listening to a lot of people.  This really has been a collaborative effort and thanks are owed to drivers, customers, industry writers, professionals and racing officials from NASA and SCCA.  Not only has the car benefited greatly from the advice and help of some great racers, the seires has benefited as well. 

As far as amateur racing series go, the FFR-NASA Challenge Series is one of the fastest growing series ever.  The drivers have shown long-term commitments to the series and the fellowship has been incredible! One of the best paces for news about the series and to speak with other drivers is the spec car forum found on the FFROG web site.  Here you can speak with drivers, post questions about rules and cars, even find a customer in your area!

 
 

The Challenge car, like all FFR kits, is about more than just performance.  The fellowship of like-minded people, the excitement of racing with good friends, and the feeling you get from being part of an exclusive club of people who have built their own cars.  That is what the racer kit is all about.  The FFR lifestyle is all about sharing a passion for things that squirt fuel into a combustion cylinder, and doing things like this…
 
Left: Steve Sparklin leads Seabor & Elam thru the esses @ Infineon.2002.   Middle: John Insinger wins “Best of Show” Right: Perrenial racers  Bobbie & Dan Elam at FFROG-Fest West 2003.
 

Challenge series cars have racked up an impressive list of awards and race wins.  The design has won the hearts of all those who have piloted it.  Check out a race near you!