FFord: Malvern confirms graduation

National Formula Ford 1600 champion Scott Malvern has confirmed he will graduate to the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain in 2010.

The 20-year-old will spearhead the return of Irish squad Cliff Dempsey Racing, which last week confirmed that it will be back on the Formula Ford grid next year, racing a Ray chassis.

Despite interested from several established Formula Ford teams following his 2009 title success in his maiden season of car racing, Malvern has opted to stick with CDR, the team which helped him to the FF1600 crown.

“I was very happy with Cliff in 2009 and the way he went about his business,” the Essex-based driver, who is no stranger to the British Formula Ford paddock having worked as a mechanic with multiple champion team Jamun Racing in 2008, explained.

“Right from the start we talked about this being a two-year programme and if we could crack FF1600 in year one, we would move up to Duratec together for year two.

“Things couldn’t have gone much better for my debut season in cars thanks to Cliff and his team and so we’ve decided to go for it and try to finish the job that we started.”

CDR last contested the senior Formula Ford series in 2006 with race-winner Peter Dempsey, and team boss Cliff Dempsey is confident his driver and chassis combination has every chance of succeeding in 2010.

"We did consider running other cars, including the Mygale, but I have a long and successful association with Ray and we strongly believe it can do a good job," he said.

"Scott impressed me a great deal this year not only with his talent but his maturity and the calm no-nonsense way he just got on with the job. I know that other top teams have been keen to sign him so I'm delighted that he's decided to remain with us."

Watch the MSA Formula Ford Championship on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson