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Formula Ford was established in Great Britain in 1967, as a cost effective starting point for young hopefuls beginning a career in motor racing. Since then Formula Ford has rapidly grown to become the world's premier junior development category. 
Formula Ford is the accepted proving ground for the nation's champions, on a local and international level. Its links with Australasia go back to the original series in the UK, the 1968 Guards Championship, which was won in an outstanding fashion by young Australian driver, Tim Schenken. Schenken was the first of many driving superstars to cut his teeth in the competitive category en route to Formula One. 
David Oxton won the inaugural New Zealand Formula Ford championship in 1972 driving an Elfin 600. Since those early days many of the world's top drivers have come through the ranks of Formula Ford to score major international successes. 
No less than nine World Formula One champions have come from the stables of Formula Ford¼ Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mikka Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher have all competed in the junior racing category. The international pedigree of the New Zealand Championship is also alive with Brendon Hartley who, having made his mark in Formula Ford takes the wheel for Red Bull in the British F3 Championship, there are many others - Brett Riley, David Oxton, Dave McMillan, Scott Dixon, Fabian Coulthard and Jonny Reid. More than ever, the formative skills learnt at Formula Ford level prepare emerging young drivers for successful careers, both locally and internationally. 
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