About Formula Libre Ireland
Background & Overview
Formula Libre is, as the name suggests, a formula free of technical regulations, and the current Irish version organised and promoted by Formula Libre Ireland is a class open to any type of proprietary single seater or open topped sports car. From little acorns in the early years of the millennium, the class has developed steadily into what we have today, as drivers have taken the opportunity to race something a bit more powerful purely for the fun of it. Originally the class was to have a capacity limit of 2 litres, the idea being to attract owners of the many Formula Atlantic cars still in the country to race again with compatible cars from other classes and disciplines in the sport.
Mondello Park saw the potential, and put on races for the few pioneers, thus showing prospective competitors that the organisers were serious. The arrival of some Formula 4000 cars from Australia added a new dimension to the class and caught the interest of many, as did the locally resident 2 litre Formula Ireland cars. No longer having sufficient numbers to sustain a class of their own, these cars provided a ready supply of more modern hardware, and the home grown 1 litre bike engined Formula 5’s which had been running with them also migrated to Libre. Late 80’s and early 90’s Formula 3 cars have recently taken the challenge to the Ireland’s, as have some Opel Lotus cars, while the Formula Renault has still to prove itself in this company. Sports cars have been getting a look in too, as class regular Eamon Matheson in his Hayabusa Turbo powered T5 finds himself being joined by the mainly Northern based Radicals from time to time, while former SuperSports cars from Nemesis and Mallock are competitive in the 2 litre class and the Global Lights have proven to be a match for the Formula 5’s. A car that epitomises the open and varied nature of the class in general is Seamus Ryan’s well developed Hayabusa powered RAW Striker which is well capable of running mid-field.
While interest in the bigger cars appeared to be booming as different chassis / engine combinations began to emerge to take on the Formula 4000, organisers made the decision coming into the 2007 season to split the class at 2 litres, thereby giving most drivers a chance of success in the newly announced championship. A further split at 1 litre, initially on a trial basis, was made this time last year to give those drivers an arena of their own, but also with the idea that the abundance of small mainly bike engined constructors in the market place, e.g. OMS or Jedi might prove an attractive option. There is a huge pool of cars from a wide variety of classes out there eligible for Formula Libre, indeed the big challenge is finding a cost effective package to take on and beat the opposition and for those intrepid and creative types, one off specials are permitted subject to being of a standard of construction acceptable to the organisers. We hope you find your tour of our display informative and of interest to you, and should you have any questions please ask one of us, or after today make contact through our website formulalibreireland.ie
What do I need & What does it cost?
Just like any other activity where "toys" are involved, you can spend as much time and money as you wish on motor sport. That said, the vast majority of competitors in motor sport race to a budget, and it is eye opening at times to see the ingenuity of those that can squeeze pennies so tight they make them cry!
Costs in any class will fall into 2 general categories, these being initial outlay and running costs. In Formula Libre there is not much difference in running costs between the 3 classes. Race entry fees are the same at E320 for 1 qualifying session and 2 races per event, with 7 events scheduled for 2009. Tyres will be between E600 and 1400 a set, being more expensive the bigger you need, and most drivers will make 2 sets do a full season. Don’t forget to allow for a set of wets, which can last 3 or 4 seasons if you’re lucky, and don’t abuse them! The bigger cars will use a little more fuel, with race fuel being more expensive that the pump stuff, and allow for consumption of 5 to 10 m.p.g. Maintenance costs, i.e. servicing the car will depend on the amount of running you do, and whether you sustain any damage. It is a good idea to draw up a schedule of maintenance for your car, logging its running time, and undertaking maintenance as recommended by the manufacturers of the various components. Most drivers will do 2 full services in the course of a seasons running, while the off season between October and March is a time when cars will be thoroughly checked for general wear and tear and rebuilds undertaken as necessary. The remaining consumable and travelling expenses for both car and team members will be pretty much the same for everyone, with savings to be made if you can make your transport habitable, and dine in! Driver running costs, e.g. annual medical, club membership, competition licence, class registration will likewise be similar for all doing the same events.
Outlay will vary between the classes within Formula Libre, ranging from as little as E5,000 to 50,000+ depending on your weapon of choice! There is no doubt though, especially in the times we are in, that there are bargains to be had for those prepared to do their homework, and dig them out. Sourcing and buying a racing car well requires lots of thought and research, and advice should be sought from those best placed to give it before big decisions are made. Most of the experienced people in motor sport are happy to share their knowledge with an eager rookie, but beware of starting such a conversation with someone trying to solve a problem 10 minutes before the start of their race! Transportation will depend on the car you buy, with bigger cars tending to need a small truck at least. A decent tool kit will need to be assembled, at least the basics of what a motor mechanic would need, along with any special tools or equipment needed to undertake any job on the car. Specialised equipment e.g. corner weight scales, essential when setting up suspension, can be expensive, but you may be able to buy with or share with drivers of similar cars. Last, but not least, the driver will need to be kitted out, so a visit to a race wear supplier will need needed.
Testing your new acquisition will be vital, so make contact with one of the circuits and find out when it’s available. You will meet other drivers there, and be able to discuss any issues you might have. Above all, remember the idea is to enjoy yourself!
2010 Formula Libre Sporting Regulations
Download 2010 Formula Libre Sporting Regulations PDF.
Title & Jurisdiction
The 2010 Magic Bullet All Ireland Formula Libre Championship incorporating The Leinster Leader Trophy for Formula Libre will be organised by Formula Libre Ireland in accordance with the General Competition Rules of Motorsport Ireland, and these Championship Regulations.
Status
National
Eligibility of Competitors
Intending competitors must be in possession of a competition licence issued by an A S N affiliated to the F I A. It is the responsibility of the drivers to ensure that they are in possession of a licence relevant to the car(s) intended to drive at the event(s) intended to enter.
Eligibility of Cars
Formula Libre Ireland permits any proprietary single seater racing car, or open toped sports car. Prototypes and one off specials will be permitted subject to being of a standard of construction acceptable to the organisers. The organisers may restrict a class of car should its performance be regarded as inappropriate by reference to the entry in general.
Registration
Formula Libre Ireland has contracted the Leinster Motor Club to register its competitions and hold their permits. Drivers wishing to score points must register with the class coordinator and pay the registration fee of €100 (see also Awards). Registration will cover both competitions, membership of the Leinster Motor Club and 1 set of 3 class backgrounds with race number (see Class Structure) which must be used at all events. In the interests of attracting competitors into the class race entries will not be restricted to registered drivers. Unregistered drivers though not eligible for points will be eligible for race day awards and will be required to contribute €30 towards class costs.
Class Principal & Coordinator
Ed McInerney, 32 Glasnevin Drive, Dublin 11. Tel. 00353 87 6497665. E-mail edmci@msn.com
Class Scrutineer
Mr. Jimmy Wolverson. Scrutiny will take place at every event, in drivers’ parking places in the Mondello paddock, and in the scrutiny bay in Kirkistown and Anglesey.
Event Dates
Dates are as shown under 'calendar' on the class website www.formulalibreireland.ie and as published in the relevant Motorsport Ireland bulletin.
Class Structure
There will be 2 classes, subject to there being a minimum of 5 registrations per class, and these will be for engine capacities up to and over 2 litres (see also Technical). Both classes will have equal status. In order to identify a competitor’s class, number backgrounds will be colour coded, yellow for up to 2 litre and white for over.
Points Scoring System
The Championship will consist of 10 rounds, all counting. The Trophy will consist of 12 rounds, 8 to count. Points will be awarded to classified finishers in each class as follows in accordance with Appendix 15.6.1.3.1 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook. Where there are less than 5 starters in a class, that class winner’s score will drop 1 place for every starter short.
- 1st - 20
- 2nd - 17
- 3rd - 14
- 4th - 12
- 5th - 11
- 6th - 10
- 7th - 9
- 8th - 8
- 9th - 7
- 10th - 6
- 11th - 5
- 12th - 4
- 13th - 3
- 14th - 2
- 15th - 1
Race Day Format
Championship race days will consist of 1 qualifying session and 2 races per event. Drivers must proceed to the assembly area for qualifying and assemble as directed by the official. This will be in an order pre-determined by the class coordinator so as to minimise traffic during the session. Grid positions will be by fastest lap for Race 1, and second fastest lap for Race 2.
Results
Race results will be as issued by the timekeepers, and signed by the Clerk of the Course. A brief race report, results, and an updated championship table will be posted on the class website as soon as possible after an event.
Awards
Championship race day and end of season awards will be as made available by Magic Bullet. Trophy only race day awards will be as made available by race organisers. Leinster Motor Club will present the Leinster Leader Trophy to that competitions champion. Formula Libre Ireland will organise an end of season awards presentation, and will distribute funds accrued (e.g. excess registration fees over class costs) in the form of cash or awards.
Method of Resolving Ties
As outlined in Appendix 15.6.10 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook.
Conduct
Formula Libre racing by nature attracts cars of widely varying performance. While the onus is on passing drivers to navigate safe passage through traffic, it is incumbent on all drivers to be aware of and respect what is going on around them.
Protests
Competitors should contain and pursue grievances through the protest procedure as outlined in Appendix 40.19.2 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook.
Technical
Technical regulations are free in the context of Formula Libre.
A multiplication factor of 1.7 times engine cc will be used to determine the capacity of a forced induction engine.
In the absence of technical regulations and in the interests of cost and reliability it is recommended that "RACE" designated tyres be used in competition.
All cars should be presented for Scrutiny in a clean and tidy condition and ready to compete in accordance with Appendix 2 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook.
2012 Calender
April 15 - Mondello Park National
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April 28 - Kirkistown
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May 12/13 - Bishopscourt (non championship)
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May 26 - Kirkistown
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July 1 - Mondello Park National
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August 18/19 - Phoenix Park (non championship)
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September 8/9 - Mondello Park International
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September 29 - Kirkistown
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