The secrets for success at the Formula Ford Festival

The much-loved Brands Hatch event is back this weekend with another mix of young and seasoned drivers battling to write the latest chapter of its long history. An expert panel of past winners and behind-the-scenes players share their top tips for success at the Festival

The Formula Ford Festival may no longer hold the same prestige as during its heyday as a crucial proving ground for future Formula 1 talents, but it remains a big ticket event that brings back category stalwarts year after year to take on promising up-and-comers.

The event, which celebrated its 50th edition in 2021, has three previous winners on the entry list for this weekend's jamboree, with Niall Murray, Rory Smith and Jamie Sharp seeking to beat the likes of regular frontrunners Chris Middlehurst and Jordan Dempsey, plus National champion Jordan Kelly, Historic Formula 3 title winner Samuel Harrison and US F1600 champion Porter Aiken.

Autosport rounded up previous winners and the people who supported them to learn the secrets of success at the Festival.

Drivers

Gerrit van Kouwen (1984)

Source: Autosport