OMG HODGE!

Volume 2, Issue 1

Lap records, Pole Positionsand Race Wins as

Aus F3 seasonkicks off!

ENGINEERED TO WIN

Formula 4 gains momentum as moreChampionships are announced

First time winners at Winton AFF Round

Greg WoodrowMygale Australia Chassis a key to F4 advancement

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the introduction of FIA Formula 4 as our premier junior open wheel category in the near future. In this issue I’d like to look at one aspect of the difference between what we have now in Formula Ford and what we will have in the future with Formula 4.

Amongst the components of a competitive racing car, the chassis is a key element: the performance and safety of the driver depend on it. Mygale designs and builds single-seaters using both types of chassis : welded steel spaceframe and carbon monocoque. Historically, open-wheel Formula use spaceframe chassis (such as Formula Ford today), but carbon monocoque is becoming more and more common (Formula BMW, Formula 3 and nowadays Formula 4). So what is a Spaceframe chassis? Basically it is an assembly of welded steel tubes (TIG).They provide high stiffness, good impact resistance in case of accident, better endurance to the constraints imposed by the suspensions. From an economic point of view it is particularly suitable for small series production (raw material cheaper than carbon). They are also relatively easy to repair.

A carbon monocoque on the other hand is composed of carbon fibers woven in superposed layers of varying thickness depending on the area of stress, with a layer of aluminum honeycomb in the middle to improve the rigidity. It is a chassis and an outer shell at once. It combines strength and lightness (carbon is 5 times lighter and 2 times stronger than steel) and its low density allows a weight gain of 10% over a steel frame. It also allows to create more complex shapes, more aerodynamic, and in one piece. More safety for drivers: able to progressively absorb energy, improved crashworthiness. No corrosion.

It’s advantages are that it’s mechanical properties are not only equivalent, but indeed superior to steel in torsional stiffness. But - costs are higher, because the raw material is more expensive and its implementation requires heavier investments such as an autoclave.

Cheers,

Woody

Hodge becomes fastest ever around Mt Panorama circuit

Round Review

Australian F3 Rnd 2Bathurst NSW

For Team BRM and Simon Hodge pole position was a great start to the weekend of round three of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship at Mt Panorama, Bathurst.

With only one practice session to tune his Mygale M11 into the Bathurst circuit Simon Hodge continued his dominant form at what is Australia’s best known, and undoubtedly one of the fastest race tracks. Simon topped the qualifying session with a .5 second advantage over his BRM team mate Chris Anthony, with Harvest Motorsport Mygale driver Arrie Maree on three.

In race one Simon dealt with a software glitch in his Mercedes engine ECU that restricted gear changes, allowing Chris Anthony and Ben Gersekowski to sneak by.

In the final Simon showed why he is Australia’s most impressive up and coming talent, recording an outright Bathurst lap record time of 2.02.67.

Over 1.2 seconds faster than the time set earlier in the event by his BRM teammate Chris Anthony who had eclipsed Shane

Van Gisbergen’s recent effort of 2.03.85 in the Mclaren MP4 by three hundredths of a second.

“To go into the record books and hold the outright lap record at two of the three tracks we have been to this year is amazing” said Hodge. “It shows the outright pace of the Mygale F3 chassis, and we still have so much more to unlock from this car”

Simon took the outright lap record on Adelaide’s Clipsal street event which was the first round of the 2014 Formula 3 championship. He is showing the maturity and genuine speed of a driver who has built a sound foundation of skills and experience through karts, Formula Ford and Formula 3.

As Mygale continue to supply cars that are engineered to win, Simon is showing he is a force to be reckoned with in Australia’s top open wheel racing category.

The Formula 3’s now head to Darwin for round four of the prestigious CAMS Gold Star Australian Drivers Championship.

Mygale AustraliaP.O. Box 3189Mentone East, Vic 3194+61 (0)3 9580 4882enquiries@gforcemotorsport.com.au

Design and ProductionMCX2 Media & Communications 0408 138 590

Feature

FIA Formula 4

FIA Formula 4 is up-and-running around the world as even more ASNs commit to the new worldwide junior open wheel class for 2015.

In Italy and South America the series is already up and running and Britain, arguably the home of open-wheel racing throughout the world, their Ecoboost powered Formula Ford series will adopt

FIA F4 regulations for the 2015 season.

Australia, through CAMS, have already committed to F4 for 2015 and will be joined by Britain, Japan and Germany as the FIA aims to standardise the regulations for junior wings and slicks racing across the globe.

F4 was unveiled in Australia at the F1

More countries grid up for FIA F4

Grand Prix in March and since then work has been going on behind the scenes to finalise regulations including the engine supplier and category promoter.

The racing in both Italian and South American series’ has been impressive with good numbers and close battles down the field.

Fabri gets chance with Race AcademyRace Academy

Michael Fabri’s DiaryIn 2013, Michael Fabri met with the Director of Mygale Australia, Greg Woodrow. In a lengthy meeting, to discuss Michael’s future in motorsport and in particular the move from Karting to Formula Ford racing. Greg kindly explained in detail the future of Formula Ford racing in Australia and gave Michael insight into ways to gain entry and succeed in such a tough sport. He shared his and other young race drivers success stories and experiences and explained it takes determination, courage, perseverance and a positive outlook.

Now, in an effort to help young drivers move from Karting into circuit racing, and to help them avoid many of the pitfalls that have befallen many talented drivers in the past, Greg Woodrow and his team have launched Race Academy. It is through this Academy that Greg decided to test Michael in a Mygale SJ10a Duratec Formula Ford racing car at

Winton Motor Raceway on the 18th October 2013.

The day began at 8:00am. Whilst Michael completed the appropriate paperwork, the team prepared the race car for a full day of testing. Each practice session was 20 minutes long, to give the driver time to settle in and get used to the car. In between sessions, Greg analysed the onboard MOTEC data acquisition system to track the performance and help Michael understand areas of improvement during the day.

Michael said “Although I found the sand traps and missed gear changes in the morning sessions, with Greg and Mygale engineer, Justin Sarton, providing excellent driving advice, by the end of the day I did not make as many mistakes and got faster. I still have a huge amount of learning and getting used to the car, the acceleration, braking,

Fabri gets chance with Race Academycornering and then there are the gear changes to get used to, it’s totally different to driving a kart”.

“What a fantastic day this was, I can’t thank Greg, Wendy and Justin enough for making this dream of mine possible. I would definitely love the chance to test and eventually race Formula Ford; it is a goal of mine. I know it will take a lot of hard work, but I am very determined to succeed” Michael said. Greg’s thoughts were that Michael did very well in his first FF drive, being only a second behind the top runners of the Australian FF Championship when they raced at Winton back in August is a good result especially on old tyres. With driver development he has the potential to be successful.

After subsequent discussions with Michael and his parents, Rick and Brenda and

months of thorough deliberation, Greg Woodrow announced that Mygale Australia had selected Michael as one of their highly coveted junior development drivers in their Race Academy Program for 2014.

Upon hearing the news, Michael said “I am honoured to be selected into the Mygale Race Academy, to be given this opportunity to make the progression from karting to open wheeler cars is a dream come true. I can’t thank Greg, Wendy, Justin and the entire team at Mygale enough, the faith and trust they have shown in me is overwhelming. I will try my very best to live up to their expectations.”

Feature

Career Progression and Driver Development

The decision to move your career forward is always a difficult one. A number of categories offer benefits to the talented drivers who have the self-belief and confidence required to dream big and get on with the job.

Both in Australia and across the globe, the junior open wheel categories have shown again and again that they build a maturity and skill base for a driver that can never be ignored.

Just google every Formula 1 driver or V8 Supercar driver that you can think of, and you will see them in a Formula Ford, a Formula BMW or a Formula 3. Usually, these guys will also have an impressive array of trophies in the cabinet as this is how they were able to progress up the ladder.

Is it luck? Or did these successful individuals know something?

As the saying goes, it’s not rocket science, a career in motorsport has a well-worn path to success and there is no need to re-invent the wheel like so many try to do.

Lets look locally, here in Australia, you have Formula Ford which is experiencing some of the best fields and drivers that we have seen in years. The class has been re-structured with it’s origins in mind, it’s cheaper, and you have the choice of the big teams, or a more hands on approach. Both of which have proven to work.

The Formula Ford class instils a fantastic work ethic in the drivers both on and off the track and rewards smooth, fast drivers who have a mature head. If you don’t have these

traits, you will know it very quickly as you see those who do driving away.

The pathway to success is strengthened by F3 in Australia, and the AF3 management team have come up with an impressive set of regulations and race events that showcase our best talent at our best race events in our best cars at a very reasonable price.

A partnership between AF3M, Mygale and HWA Mercedes has seen the top class run only Mercedes engines which are now cheaper and have double the life between rebuilds. The service from HWA is second to none, and engines last two full seasons. As they are fully sealed and ECU locked, there is no need to spend money on dyno’s and such.

Shocks have now been locked down and you must run the two way Koni unit. These are cheaper to maintain and buy. Reducing the massive investment that can be made by teams and drivers in shock technology.

The big question for F3 is of course the price of parts when you have an off. The great thing about F3 is that most drivers come through the Formula Ford ranks and by the time they advance to the wings and slicks formula, they have a mature approach to their racing. But when it does happen, AF3 management have put on track insurance in place, enabling the team and driver to control the risk of a big dollar incident.

Most drivers will work with a sponsor at this level to cover the cost of the insurance policy as their first priority.

Seven reasons why now is the time to step up your motor racing career

The class is now a very sound investment in a young drivers career, something that Mark Webber is well aware of as he slotted Mitch Evans into a Sonic Mygale Formula Ford in 2009 and into a Team BRM F3 car in 2010. This was Mark’s idea of the perfect preparation for Mitch’s move to Europe into GP3 and now GP2.

The question on everyone’s lips is FIA F4.

The global junior class is the first rung on the FIA’s pathway to Formula 1. The great thing about this class is the backing it has received worldwide by the ASN’s. ( National Sporting Authority’s such as CAMS in Australia )

The men behind the class, Jean Todt and Gerhard Berger at the FIA have the experience and political muscle to make this class an outstanding success. At this point there are already four countries on track for a 2015 start, with Australia already placing the first order for FIA Formula 4.The cars are modern yet simple, and appeal to the young drivers looking to make a career. The cars, parts and engines are very well priced and the FIA has taken the unprecedented move of setting the retail price for all of these. Gerhard Berger has years of experience as the man behind Formula BMW and he knows the benefits of a learning class with an attainable cost structure.

These cars have cool looks, the latest FIA safety features and come with aluminium wings that generate limited down force, with little or no adjustment.

They will need to be set-up very well to take advantage of mechanical grip. They move around and require a fine balance to drive them fast.

With a slick tyre package the FIA F4 has the advantage of preparing a driver for the next step, which is always going to involve slicks and wets.

So, seven reasons you should step up and move your career forward…

1. Formula Ford… It’s cheaper and better than ever…. A proven winner for your career.

2. FIA Formula 4… Racing at the biggest and best events in 2015 the cost effective way… but if you want to win… you need to be ready.

3. Formula 3… winning at this level means you are ready for the next step in your career.

4. Opportunity… Change in the motorsport landscape always means opportunity…. With Formula Ford moving to a new low cost formula and FIA Formula 4 arriving with a bang, if your smart and savvy, teams will be looking to showcase themselves and their drivers on the podium.

5. The world wide proven pathway…. Open wheel race cars teach the driver, the engineer, and the team everything required to make it at the top level and has done for the last 60 plus years. There is no substitute for open wheel experience no matter where you want to race.

6. The CAMS commitment… CAMS have committed to young Australian drivers like never before… over the years the CAMS Rising Star program has opened the door for numerous young drivers, but now CAMS are working hand in hand with the FIA on Formula 4 and they should be applauded for their foresight and commitment. Now is the time for young drivers to get involved and take advantage.

7. Assistance… there are so many skilled individuals who are willing and able to assist a young driver… Start by taking part in a program such as the ‘Race Academy’ (was Arrow Rewards ). You learn the realities of your choices and drive some of the best open wheel cars in Australia. A great way to get to know the cars and the people that have proven success.

Bonus reason!Recognition… never underestimate the recognition the drivers receive from the open wheel classes in Australia. Michael Ritter at Sonic Motor Racing Services has been one of the most influential people in not only recognising, but assisting drivers to step up. The list of outstanding Australian talent that Michael has been behind through his Sonic race team is astounding. One of the earliest is Jamie Whincup and one of the latest is Anton DePasquale.

Motorsport alumni in all areas, team owners, sponsors, engineers, crew and other drivers across the globe look to these open wheel classes to take on the next Ricciardo or Webber….

For the first round of the season, 8 Mygale cars were lined up over 25 cars.

In race one qualifying, while the top five cars were separated by under a tenth of a second, it was the new Mygale driver Garth Rickards that narrowly scored pole position at Road Atlanta by .016 seconds over his team Pelfrey teammate Ayla Agren. Pelfrey’s other teammate Esteban Garzon was sixth with Sam Chastain/Chastain Motorsports/Mygale, seventh, just under three tenths off the pole time of 1:29.343, a new F1600 track record at Road Atlanta. In race one, though polesitter Garth Rickards was near the front for most of the green, he finally went 3rd under the checkered flag for Team Pelfrey in a race

that saw a 12-car pack at the front, while Ayla Agren finished fourth and Steve Bamford/Rice Race Prep completed the top five. In race two qualifying, Garth Rickards missed the pole by 0.092 and started P2 in the following race. Will Harvey/Wisko Racing and Steve Bamford went 3rd and 5th. In the second, final and highly-competitive race of the week-end, Garth Rickards went wheel-to-wheel with the final winner in the closing stages of the race before a turn ten showdown. Rickards finally finished on 5th position, while his teammate Ayla Agren, finished 3rd and Steve Bamford followed in 4th place.

Pole position and two podiums for Team Pelfrey

Round Review

USA F1600 FRound 1, Road Atlanta

International debut for Formula 4 FIA at Australian GP

2014, March 15th. In front of a wide audience of thousands of people, several personalities from motorsports and the Confederation of Australian Motorsports, Mygale Formula 4 FIA showed all its potential on opening of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne. CAMS then announced they were to create an Australian Formula 4 FIA Championship in 2015 and that they chose Mygale to build 25 cars.

Mygale over the world : Partnership with a Canadian Company

Britain West Motorsports, one of Canada’s leading Formula Ford competition group, is adding the Mygale chassis to their expanded racing program. Working with Bryan Herta Autosports of Indianapolis, Ind., owners of Mygale North America program, Britain West will be the official supplier of the Mygale program to teams and drivers engaged in the F1600 Championship, Formula Tour 1600, and Super Series Championship across the country.

Geneva Motor Show : Mygale FF200 EcoBoost on display

Thanks to ACD Motorsport, the Mygale FF200 EcoBoost was displayed at the 84th Geneva International Motor Show, March 6th to 16th 2014.

World wrap

Jayde Kruger added two more victories to his collection of 2014 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship race wins at Donington Park, the South African leading home his team-mate Sam Brabham for a JTR 1-2 in round fourth. Harrison Scott claimed third for Falcon, with Connor Mills in his Meridian Mygale triumphing in the Scholarship class for the first time. Harrison Scott mastered the tricky wet conditions of fifth round to secure his first win of the short season for the Falcon Motorsport team, but the Essex youngster was denied a second win in the sixth round by mechanical problems. The Donington finale instead fell

into the lap of Jayde Kruger, Saturday’s race victor, to give him win number four and the championship lead.

This round’s star driver was 17-year-old rookie Connor Mills, who charged through the field in the wet race to claim second place overall, right on Scott’s tail, and who then went on to complete a hat-trick of Scholarship class wins. Max Marshall/JTR went second in sixth round, and Juan Rosso/Radical Motorsport completed the podium with two third places in fifth and sixth rounds.

Jayde Kruger adds to victory tally at Donnington Park

Round Review

British FFRounds 4,5,6

Donnington Park

Round Review

Aus Formula FordRound 2, Winton

Mygale drivers took three race wins from three races in Round Two of the Australian Formula Ford Series, where a promising young talent in Jordan Lloyd stepped up to claim his maiden pole, race and round win driving his BF Racing prepared Mygale.

Following its rebirth as a National Series earlier in 2014, Formula Ford and spectators have enjoyed one of its toughest years of competition, with entry numbers well up on previous years and teams pushing harder than ever for silverware and bragging rights.

With a couple of years of national level experience under his belt, Lloyd was out for victory from the outset. Having claimed his maiden pole, Lloyd missed out on taking his first victory in Saturday’s Race 1, bested by the fast starting Thomas Randle in his Dream Motorsport Mygale. He more than made up for it on Sunday, charging to the head of the pack to win Races 2 and 3.

“I’m over the moon to get my first National Formula Ford Pole Position, Race win and Round win all at the one meeting, especially here at a Winton.” Jordan said.

“I knew I had the experience from Mallala to do even better this weekend, so to be able to put it together consistently is very satisfying for myself and BF Racing and gives us even

more motivation to keep pushing harder at the next round in Queensland.”

“There are a large number of cars coming into each round with a chance of winning and the speed to do it, but I’ll keep focused too so it’s going to be one of the toughest years yet to win the National Series.”

Dream Motorsport driver Thomas Randle was in fine form under ominous conditions at Winton, claiming his maiden victory in national Formula Ford competition. Although the Victorian was quick, he couldn’t hold the likes of Lloyd at bay during Sunday’s races, settling for third overall.

The Team Sonic drivers were again strong, rounding out the top five overall with Nick Rowe ahead of Hamish Hardeman.

In his national debut, Cameron Walters impressed all en-route to a masterful Formula Ford 1600 class round victory. In the face of fierce competition, Walters was never headed, taking a clean sweep of victories ahead of the experienced James Garley and Jimmy Bailey.

Round 3 of the Australian National Formula Ford Series takes place at Queensland Raceway from August 8 – 10.

Lloyd, Mygale on top at Winton

Round Review

Aus Formula 3Round 5, Darwin

Mygale driver Simon Hodge left Darwin with fond memories after clinching the prestigious City of Darwin Cup trophy today with his round four victory in the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

It will never be described as easy, but Hodge stamped his mark on the top end on Sunday, taking race two and the 14-lap feature race to rocket to a 15-point championship lead at the half-way point of the year.

Hodge wasn’t the fastest away in the Darwin feature and had to fight his way to the front for the third time in three races; his title rival Ben Gersekowski making the best start and rocketing to an early lead. Once in front however, the bright blue Team BRM Mygale was never headed.

Hodge becomes the first two-time round winner this season and, for the fourth time in four rounds, only one driver won the three races contested.

“It’s one that we wanted,” Hodge said.

“We have worked very, very hard this weekend to make it happen. To come away with the result that we were hoping for is fantastic.

“The starts are our Achilles heel. It’s something we’ve highlighted as a weakness and something we need to work on going forward. The pace in the car is very, very good and that’s been the saving grace this weekend.

“The championship is that close that you can’t afford to have a weakness like that, so it’s high on the agenda to fix for the rounds coming.

“It’s inevitable when you’re racing in a field like this with guys like Ben and Chris, you’re going to have to work for it. It’s not always just going to fall your way. It’s great to have the battles – we expect it – but it’s nice to come out on top.

“Racing in Darwin has been fantastic, it’s everything that people say it is. A great event and a great weekend.”

Hodge now leads Gersekowski in the championship by 15 points heading to the next round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship at Queensland Raceway in August.

Hodge’s perfect Top End trifecta

ENGINEERED TO WIN!

“From my first day in Formula Ford Mygale have been with me all the way. Their support and guidance has been instrumental in my success.”

Anton DePasquale, Australian Formula Ford Championship

ENGINEERED TO WIN!

“Mygale and Sonic Motor Racing Services gave me the

right equpment to win in the Australian Formula Ford

Championship. If you’re just starting out you really need to

be in a Mygale”Cameron Waters, 2011 Australian FF Champion & V8 Supercar driver

Mygale Australia, 21 Citrus St Braeside VIC 3195 p: 61 3 9580 4882 e:enquiries@mygale.com.au

www.mygale.com.au facebook.com/mygale.australia twitter.com/mygaleaustralia

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Anton DePasquale, 2013 Australian Formula Ford Champion