New Zealand Formula First Championship



The New Zealand Formula First Championship is an open-wheel racing championship that runs on Volkswagen engines and bodies. The introduction of the Formula Vee concept to New Zealand can be attributed to Barry Munro, an Officer in the New Zealand Army who constructed the country's inaugural Formula Vee. Commencing chassis design in 1966, Munro finalized the first mock-up by November of that year, with the vehicle being fully assembled by March 1967.

Notably, adherence to regulatory standards of the time required all racing cars to be registered, with the Munro Vee obtaining its initial registration on February 10, 1967. Munro's design prioritized affordability within the constraints of available technology. Notably, the nose cone was fashioned from a wool coat shaped over metal ribs and set with resin.

Throughout the 1967 season, Munro actively competed with the car, participating in various classes to bolster its visibility and generate interest in Formula Vee racing. Subsequently, Digby Taylor followed suit in constructing his own Formula Vee, leading to the organization of the inaugural all-Formula Vee race.

Over the course of its 50-year history in New Zealand, Formula Vee has established itself as a prominent platform for driver development and compelling competition. Noteworthy alumni include Formula 1 and IndyCar drivers, as well as touring car champions. The New Zealand Formula First Championship has attracted a host of distinguished competitors throughout its existence, including renowned figures such as Scott Dixon, Brendon Hartley, Liam Lawson, Shane van Gisbergen, Mitch Evans, and Richie Stanaway.

History
On November 25, 1967, the inaugural Formula Vee race in New Zealand saw approximately six cars assemble at Levin, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history. Among the participants were notable figures such as Barry Munro, George Hetterscheid, Roy King, Digby Taylor, John Macey, Ivan Berry, Brian Yates, and Phil Deer, forming the grid for the inaugural race at Bay Park. The class swiftly gained traction, earning inclusion in prestigious events like the 'Rothmans National' meeting at Pukekohe.

Half a century later, Formula Vee remains a steadfast presence in motorsport, adhering to its foundational principles, including the utilization of the 1,200 cc (73 cu in) VW engine. While the cars have undergone development over time, they have retained their affordability and fundamental simplicity, making participation accessible to a wide range of enthusiasts. Notably, the class underwent a name change at the outset of the 1998–99 season, rebranding as 'Formula First' to better align with its role within the motorsport pathway.

Formula First TV
Formula First TV, initially known as NZ Formula First on their YouTube channel, emerged as a platform for showcasing Formula First content, with Jordie Peters handling various production duties, including interviewing, filming, and editing race footage. The inaugural episode debuted on YouTube on October 24, 2015. Over a year and a half later, the first episode of Formula First TV premiered on May 6, 2017, featuring presenters Jonathan Morton and Sheridan Bonner. Both presenters continue in their roles, supplemented occasionally by guest presenters such as Callum Crawley and Conrad Clark.

Success stories
The New Zealand Formula First Championship is noted for its successful alumni. The class has been known for kick-starting professional careers, allowing competitors to learn the essentials of racing. It is hard to look back at Kiwi drivers who have gone on to win championships at home and abroad and find one that didn't start with Formula First.

Scott Dixon became NZ's first 'junior driver', entering the championship at 12 years of age and winning the National Championship in his rookie season. Formula One driver, WEC Champion and Le Mans 24 hour winner Brendon Hartley was another driver who started their racing with Formula First in their early teens. Open wheeler Mitch Evans is another of those success stories the class has seen over the years.

The SpeedSport Scholarship, originally a partnership between Grant McDonald's SpeedSport magazine and Dennis Martin's Sabre Motorsport team has seen many of NZ's recent stars kick-start their careers in Formula First. The majority of the scholarships recipients have gone on to win championships and have produced some of the most recognisable names in Motorsport including 2016 Supercars champ Shane van Gisbergen, 3x NZGP winner and SuperGT champ Nick Cassidy as well as GP2 race winner and ADAC Formula 3 champ Richie Stanaway along with Formula One rookie Liam Lawson.