FFCS SPRING NEWSLETTER – 2026 SEASON

​

VRG / FFCS SPRING 2026 NEWSLETTER

​​

Greetings Racers! We are halfway through the 2026 season (three events), with fantastic racing, camaraderie, sportsmanship and fun times at our event BBQ. Our drawings for prizes are larger than ever, over $8K in value, from our generous supporters. We look forward to 3 more great race weekends, The Thompson Vintage Motorsport Festival in June, The NJMP Glasstown Vintage Speedfest in July, and the season ending VRG at Watkins Glen in September! We hope to see you at these events. Here’s an update on topics important to the FFCS with reflections on the 2026 season:

​

Safety is a cornerstone of VRG/FFCS events, which not only impacts drivers and workers, but also valuable track time.  Incidents caused by driver behavior or mechanical breakdowns due to poor car preparation are avoidable and are part of a program to “Keep The Track Green”.

​

The above statements were written and implemented in the spring of 2023. We continue to focus on these key objectives, but have faced some challenges in 2026.

​

In an attempt to improve, we wish to make you aware of recent incidents and lessons learned to prevent future loss of track time.

 

At the Wild Hare (VIR) a severe incident occurred:

1. T-BONE CRASH: At Turn 10 a car spun and stopped sideways in the middle of the track at the bottom of the hill.  Another car crested the hill, drove into the cloud of tire smoke and hit the side of the stationary car, lifting it up and moving it down the track. Drivers did not need medical treatment, but were sore and bruised.  Extensive damage resulted with the frame and transmission from the roll bar back on the stationary car severely damaged.

​

If the impact was directly to the driver’s cockpit area, there could have been a much worse outcome.

• The FFCS Executive Committee has revised the FFCS rules to allow adding reinforcement panels of aluminum or Kevlar bonded to existing fiberglass body panels in HF and CF classes for intrusion protected as currently allowed in PCF cars.  See updated FFCS rules for details.

• When entering a blind corner, if you see clouds of dust, it should be a danger warning, even if no flag is apparently flying.

​

At the Jefferson 500 (Summit Point) a number of incidents occurred:

• DIVE BOMB & ROLL OVER: A driver rolled over after his tire jumped over the tire of another car which was attempting an improperly executed pass into turn 1.

  • The rollover bar was slightly bent and ground on the pavement, but held up and the driver was uninjured.

  • Roll bar height vs. helmet height was checked on all cars at Tech that event and the driver had plenty of clearance to be protected.  See TB-013, for a reminder on roll over protection requirements.

  • Arm restraints work! 

    • The drivers’ arms and hands can be seen in an onboard video to be flung toward the ground while upside down, but they did not make contact with the track.

  • The driver’s shield popped open completely during the roll over as it was not completely latched due to fogging issues.

    • Measures to improve airflow, use of antifog on the shield, etc. should be used to allow the shield to close completely and latch. 

​

• TRACK OILING: A driver’s oil filter seal failed to hold pressure or the filter came loose, causing a massive track oil down

  • Although, safety wiring of drain plugs was also an emphasis at Tech for this event, inspections may not necessarily discover an oil filter issue.

  • Drivers are reminded of the VRG requirements for safety wiring all drain plugs and the attached TB-014 also suggest how oil filters can be retained.

  • Oil incidents are unacceptable and mostly preventable.  Offenders may/will be charged for track clean up.

​

• DIVE BOMB:  Another incident in the same race as the roll over, a driver entered Turn 3 too fast on the inside, contacted another car ahead, spun, failed to hold the brake and rolled across the track backwards contacting another car trying to avoid him.  Minor damage resulted and track time was lost.

  • Drivers are remined of FFCS Racing Rules, per VRG requirements, for a safe pass (See attachment) and are reminded there is a reason we continually emphasis “If you spin, both feet in”. It needs to be second nature.

• BATTERY COMES LOOSE:  A driver spun, stating his battery, located on the floor ahead of his seat, came loose and interfered with is driving, causing him to spin.

  • Drivers are reminded of VRG rules to securely mount batteries and insulate the “hot” terminal to prevent short circuits and potential fires.

  • See TB-015, attached, for electrical terminal insulation requirements.

​

Other Technical Issues:

CAR WEIGHTS

FFCS offered to check car weights voluntarily at Watkins Glen in 2025, again at Mid Ohio in 2026 and all cars were weighed during Tech at the 2026 Jefferson 500 at Summit Point.

​

A more detailed summary is attached, but 5 cars were found to be underweight, with up to 15 compliant when checked, but could be underweight at the end of qualifying or races due to fuel consumption.

​

Drivers and crew should keep in mind that gasoline weighs approximately 6.0 lbs./gallon and 93 octane pump gas 6.1 to 6.3 lbs./gallon.  Burning 3 gallons during a race causes a loss of 18 or more pounds.  Therefore, cars weighed at Tech under 1128 lbs. (943 lbs. HF) with a full fuel cell may be underweight post qualifying / race.

​

ENGINE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION

Stickers are now available for display on your car indicating your engine complies with National Vintage Formula Ford Association (NVFFA) rules.

​

Once you have an NVFFA Engine Certification Compliance Document completed, upload a copy to Motorsport Registration (under your “Account”, “Profile” and “Garage”) and keep a copy with your logbook.

​

At the track a FFCS EC member will review the document, verify the engine number and issue you a provisional or permanent certification decal.  Provisionals can be issued if only partial information is known about the engine.

​

CONCLUSION

We were fortunate that no serious injuries occurred in these incidents.

We ask you all to focus on these two key areas; safe driving and thorough legal car preparation, going forward.

For the mechanical failures we lost several sessions of track time, which is very disappointing to the folks who do properly prepare their cars and “come to race”.

​

Help us to help each other have great and safe race weekends.

 

Thanks for listening

The FFCS Executive Committee