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 Former FPA logo, used up to 2008 | |
| Category | Open-wheeled single seater |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom, mainlandEurope |
| Inaugural season | 1998 |
| Folded | 2010 |
| Teams | 1[1][2] |
| Engine suppliers | Audi1.8 litre 4cyl 20v Turbo 300 bhp, 360 bhp on overboost[3] |
| Tyre suppliers | Avon |
| Last Drivers' champion |  Nigel Moore |
| Official website | FormulaPalmerAudi.com |
Formula Palmer Audi, officially abbreviated toFPA,[4] and sometimes informally abbreviated toPalmer Audi, was aone-make class ofopen wheelFormula racing founded in 1998 by formerFormula One driver,Jonathan Palmer. It was based in theUnited Kingdom (UK), and was organised and operated byMotorSport Vision.[2] It had a high proportion of British drivers and venues, but it also featured international drivers and races in mainlandEurope.
The series was most famous for producing ex-F1 driver and IndyCar race-winnerJustin Wilson, and triple World Touring Car ChampionAndy Priaulx.[5]
In November 2010, Jonathan Palmer announced the end of the series, with the series' chassis being dismantled for use in other areas of theMotorSport Vision organisation.[6]
The series was originally set up as a cost-effective rival toFormula Three in the UK. After a brief foray into Europe, FPA evolved into a series predominantly for gentleman drivers looking to combine business with pleasure.[citation needed]
However, having produced nominees for the prestigiousMcLaren Autosport BRDC Award for five consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, including 2007 winnerStefan Wilson,[4][5] FPA began to re-emerge as a viable option for young aspiring drivers on the path toFormula One.[4] This was aided by scholarship deals that were announced between FPA and the Stars of Tomorrow karting programme, and between FPA and theFIA Formula Two Championship,[2] which established a clear progression path for young drivers into top-level single seaters.
FPA used to promote itself as a cost-effective form of open wheel racing, with the2009 season costing driver£55,000 plusVAT,[2] whereas similar series such asFormula Renault orFormula BMW required estimated budgets two to three times higher in order to race with a front-running team.[citation needed]
FPA race weekend hospitality was provided on a par withFIA Formula Two Championship, and was able to accommodate 300 guests trackside.[1]
| Formula Palmer Audi car | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | chassis:Van Diemen International,[7] engine:Audi AG, prepared & built byMountune Racing |
| Production | 1998-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Open-wheeled single seat race car |
| Body style | 1-seataluminium honeycomb monocoque[3] |
| Layout | Longitudinalmid engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Audi 1.8 litre 4cyl 20v Turbo[3] |
| Transmission | 5-speedHewland FGCtransaxle withLSD[3] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,667 mm (105.0 in)[3] |
| Length | 4,390 mm (172.8 in)[3] |
| Width | 1,830 mm (72.0 in)[3] |
| Kerb weight | 530 kg (1,168 lb) (dry weight)[3] |
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Although each driver has their own personal sponsors and paint scheme on their car, all FPA cars were developed and tested, and are maintained and operated by Palmer Sport at their workshop atBedford Autodrome.[1] And although all cars are prepared for each race weekend in an identical manner, each drivers' car has their own personal mechanic[1] in order to tailor their own personal set-up preferences. The cars operate with an identical weight, with lighter drivers carrying moreballast weight to counter heavier drivers.[1] Thetelemetry for each car is provided by a Stack data logging system which monitors major parameters of engine operation andG-force, this data can be overlaid post-test/qualify/race sessions with fastest times to evaluate drivers individual performance.[1]
The FPA race car is a true 'slicks and wings' package. It uses a custom-developedAvon slicktyre and 13-inch wheels, with 'wet' Avon race tyres also being available.[3] Aerodynamics are assisted with fully adjustable front and rear wings, along with a stepped floor and rear diffuser.[3]
As indicated by the name of the championship, there is a professional agreement withAudi AG. The cars are powered by a 300brake horsepower (224 kW; 304 PS) Audi1.8 litre, inline-four cylinder20 valvedouble overhead camshaft turbocharged[3] productionpetrol engine.[4] Prepared and built byMountune Racing, the engine also features a driver operated turbo 'boost' button, which temporarily gives the car a 60 brake horsepower (45 kW; 61 PS) increase.[4] This engine can achieve a 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 2.8 seconds,[3] 0 to 160 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 99.4 mph) in 6.2 seconds,[3] and is capable of propelling the cars to over 270 kilometres per hour (168 mph).[3] Further engine detail includes aPi ResearchPectel motorsport electronicengine control unit and aGarrett T34turbocharger with anintercooler.[3] Like virtually all 'Formula' cars, theinternal combustion engine ismid-mounted behind the driver, and is orientatedlongitudinally.
Thetransmission is a magnesium-casedHewland FGC five-speedtransaxle, which includes alimited slip differential.[3]
The chassis and body is made ofaluminium honeycombmonocoque, the basic structure of which complies with the currentFIAFormula Three safety regulations.[3] The car was manufactured by, and based on an original design byVan Diemen International.
The FPA cars featurefully independent suspension based on a double wishbone design, with geometry which includes anti-squat and anti-dive pushrod operation.[3]Ohlins two-way adjustabledampers, along with adjustableanti-roll bars complete thesuspension system.[3]
Thebrakes featuredisc brakes all round, with four-piston calipers and radially ventilated and floating discs.[3] A cockpit sited driver adjustable brake bias control is also included.[3]
FPA race weekends normally take place over two days, but may be spread over three if the series is supporting an international event such asA1 Grand Prix,[2]Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters or theWorld Touring Car Championship. After free practice, drivers take part in two 20-minute qualifying sessions, for which they have an unlimited number of laps at their disposal. The first qualifying session sets the grid for Race 1, while the second sets the grid for Race 2.
Races are 35 miles (56 km) in length, with a time limit of 30 minutes. In the event of three races being held over a weekend, each driver's fastest lap from Race 2 counts at their qualifying time for Race 3.
Points are awarded to the first 19 finishers of each race in the following order:
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 24 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Drivers must take the chequered flag to score points. Retirees do not score, even if fewer than 19 drivers finish the race.
Another interesting feature is that each driver is supplied with just one set ofslickAvon tyres to last them for the entire weekend of practice, qualifying and racing. While tyres may be replaced in the event of puncture, extensive damage or safety issues, any 'flat-spotting' of tyres done by a driver is not sufficient for an exchange.
Formula Palmer Audi has always been run as an 'arrive-and-drive' series, and was one of the first major motor-racing series to do so. In order to keep a level playing field as much as possible, all the cars are run by a specialist team of FPA mechanics, rather than having separate teams.[1][4] This concept of a large group of deliberately equalised cars has since been adopted byA1 Grand Prix.
The series has raced on many different circuits in the UK and Europe throughout its ten-year history. These include the following:
Oulton Park (1998, 2000, 2004–2005, 2007–2010)Croft Circuit (1998, 2002, 2007, 2010)Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit (1998–2003, 2006–2010)Brands Hatch (1998–2010)Donington Park (1998–2002, 2007–2008)Pembrey Circuit (1998)Silverstone Circuit (1998–2000, 2002–2005, 2007–2010)Thruxton Circuit (1998–1999)
Mondello Park (1999, 2001)
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (2000, 2003–2006, 2008)
Nürburgring (2000, 2004)
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (2000)Castle Combe Circuit (2002–2003, 2007)
Monza Circuit (2003–2005)Dijon-Prenois (2006)Mugello Circuit (2006)Rockingham Motor Speedway (2010)FPA championships are also known for close title battles. In 2004,Jonathan Kennard beatRob Jenkinson to the series title by just two points. The following year,Joe Tandy andDavid Epton finished tied on points, with Tandy winning the championship courtesy of having won more races over the course of the season.
The 2009 season consisted of 20 races at seven circuits.[2] The championship winning driver receives a £50,000 scholarship prize intended to help with entry into the next levelFIA Formula Two Championship. Furthermore, the top three championship drivers all receive an official Formula Two test.[2]
After each FPA season, a mini-series known as the Autumn Trophy is held in early November. Originally called the Winter Series, it involved two meetings of three races each, held at different UK circuits on consecutive weekends - often Brands Hatch and Snetterton.
The Autumn Trophy often features the Team USA Scholarship, a programme set up byChamp Car journalist and commentator Jeremy Shaw to allow promising young American drivers the chance to gain experience of European racing. Originally designed to send American drivers to theFormula Ford Festival, drivers such asJimmy Vasser,Phil Giebler,A. J. Allmendinger andJ. R. Hildebrand have taken part in the Scholarship.
In 2007, a new feature was introduced to the Autumn Trophy - the FPA Shootout. This was a separate competition within the second weekend of the Autumn Trophy at Snetterton where the driver that accumulated the most points from two out of the weekend's three races received automatic nomination for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award. In 2007, the FPA Shootout winner was Nick Tandy.
At present, Formula Palmer Audi is broadcast onMotors TV,[8] a pan-European subscription satellite station. Highlights and interviews are shown as part of a 30-minute programme. For the Championship, each programme covers one race, while the Autumn Trophy features two races to each programme. Up until the end of the 2006 Championship, the programmes were presented by radio DJ and formerTop of the Pops presenterDavid Jensen. For the 2006 Autumn Trophy, the format was changed to a presenter-less magazine-type format, as David's sonViktor Jensen had stopped racing in FPA. All the races are commentated on by David Addison.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Third | Autumn Trophy/Winter Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Justin Wilson[5] | Darren Turner | Richard Tarling | Derek Hayes |
| 1999 | Richard Tarling[5] | Richard Lyons | Damien Faulkner |  Paul Edwards |
| 2000 | Damien Faulkner[5] | Justin Keen | Robbie Kerr | Philip Giebler |
| 2001 | Steve Warburton[5] | Stephen Young | Gideon Cresswell | |
| 2002 | Adrian Willmott[5] | Joel Nelson |  Roman Rusinov | Ben Lewis |
| 2003 | Ryan Lewis[5] | Adam Smith | Ryan Hooker | Jonathan Kennard |
| 2004 | Jonathan Kennard[5] | Rob Jenkinson |  Karim Ojjeh | Stephen Young |
| 2005 | Joe Tandy[5] | David Epton | Stuart Prior | Josh Weber |
| 2006 | Jon Barnes[5] |  Viktor Jensen |  Chris Hyman | Dane Cameron |
| 2007 | Tim Bridgman[5] | Stefan Wilson | Luciano Bacheta | Richard Keen |
| 2008 | Jason Moore[5] | Tom Bradshaw | Jolyon Palmer | Niall Quinn |
| 2009 | Richard Plant |  Kazim Vasiliauskas | Adam Foster | |
| 2010 | Nigel Moore | Maxime Jousse |  Ramón Piñeiro |
Many famous names in top-level motorsport have taken part in FPA on their way to the top. These include the following:[5]
The following records apply only to Formula Palmer Audi Championship races, and not the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy.
