Formula Ford Festival & Walter Hayes Trophy 2020 Round Up

As always, the show pieces of the Formula Ford calendar, the Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy, were nothing short of spectacular this year. With four LDR drivers competing, including two Team USA Scholarship drivers, the team have been extremely busy the last few weeks, ensuring everything was right ahead of these back-to-back events and of course, ensuring everything was right on the day! Andy Low, Team Owner said, “This year has been a very strange one, and at times very challenging. But we are so pleased that the Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy were able to go ahead, and very grateful to the organisers for making it all happen!” 

Here’s an LDR round up of these two awesome Formula Ford events.

Formula Ford Festival

There was much excitement at Brands Hatch as 2019 Festival winner Jonathan Browne showed immense skill and precision throughout the weekend and started the final on pole. Unfortunately a second win wasn’t on the cards, after a strong battle in the final he lost out to B-M Racing’s Rory Smith for the title, but he did take P2 and a well deserved podium finish! 

Max Esterson also impressed, securing a P6 finish in the final. Throughout the weekend he was extremely focused and really pushed hard to move up the grid, showing some excellent agility on track. 

The Team USA Scholarship drivers also did a brilliant job over the weekend, with Jackson Lee finishing in P10 and Bryce Aron taking P5 in the final. Both handled the cars excellently (despite some typical English weather!) and really fought hard throughout. 

Andy Low, Team Owner commented, “I am extremely proud of the whole team! Pole position for the final, and all four of cars in the top 10, is a fantastic result and credit to everyone’s hard work.”

Walter Hayes Trophy 

At the Walter Hayes Trophy, it was no different. The LDR drivers continued to be focused, dedicated and determined on track. Again, with some horrendous English weather, the conditions weren’t easy. But it was Team USA’s Bryce Aron that really shone at Silverstone, taking P3 at the final. After starting in P9, he did an excellent job of working his way up the grid, handling the pressure and the car well and thoroughly deserved his podium finish. 

Max Esterson was also fantastic, racing strong and hard throughout the heats and onto the final where he took P14, amongst an exceptionally competitive grid. 

Unfortunately is wasn’t the best day for Jackson Lee and Jonathan Browne, who were caught up in a collision along with several other cars at Luffield, with just 5 laps to go. 

Andy Low, Team Owner added, “All four cars making it through to the final as well as a podium finish is a great end to our racing year. I am delighted for Bryce and Team USA, he’s shown strong pace for a good time now and it’s great he has managed to deliver when it counts.”

Images: Jordan Aron