![Breaking away from the negative cycle and aiming to revive the Historic Formula [Unexpected items acquired in 2024]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/3925-1761201909270.jpg)
Forced to implement drastic austerity measures
Macs old and new
I feel like I say this every year in this column, but 2024 is the year to replace my beloved everyday car! A safe bet would be a W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, or perhaps a used Land Rover Discovery, especially a Disco 4, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year… I was dreaming of such things, but then my beloved MacBook Pro suddenly died after five years, forcing me to replace it. And then, in early spring, my self-funded coverage of the Monaco Historique in May was hit hard by the shockingly weak yen (1 euro = 170 yen, so a 500ml bottle of Coke costs 4 euros), forcing me to make some serious budget cuts. Oh dear.
What’s more, when the computer in his 1992 Rover Mini Cooper came due for inspection in February, he had to have it replaced because something was wrong with it. However, he ended up in a negative spiral where “when one thing gets better, other things start to suffer,” and he ended up being in and out of hospital multiple times, spending a lot of money…
So the most expensive thing I bought in 2024 was a MacBook Pro. In the end, it was a lonely year, as I was unable to take part in any historic formula races with my beloved Lotus 69FF (even though I spent a lot of money last year to make a one-off exhaust manifold!).
The double whammy of a weak yen
A malfunctioning computer and a classic Mini being traded in
However, there is another reason why they decided not to participate in this historic formula: tires.
According to regulations, the Historic Formula Ford 1600 uses bias all-weather tires called ACB9 manufactured by Avon of the UK, but Avon will withdraw from the manufacture of four-wheel tires in 2023, meaning that the supply has come to a halt.
Furthermore, the weak yen was a double blow, and when some volunteers imported the remaining stock from the UK this summer, they were disheartened to hear that even though they were narrow 13-inch racing tires, a set cost 280,000 yen including shipping! When I bought them five years ago, they were 160,000 yen for four tires…
In the end, it was decided that it would be dangerous to race with five-year-old tires that had significantly reduced grip, so they reluctantly decided not to participate.
So, does that mean that if the tires aren’t being made, they can’t be used on the roads? The answer is no. Nova Motorsport, a British company, has acquired the manufacturing rights to several Avon tires, including the ACB9. Production will continue at the CAMAC Tire factory in Portugal, which they acquired. In fact, according to their YouTube video, a pilot version was completed in August 2024 and put to the test, demonstrating the same performance as before.
Then why not go for F1?
69 and classic miniskirt while lazing around at home
If all goes well, production and sales will begin in the first quarter of 2025, which is a great relief, but as the price hasn’t been announced yet, it’s hard to call it good news. And it’s not just the tires, the prices of racing suits and helmets are also rising… so even in the classics, it’s becoming quite difficult for individuals to continue racing. Oh dear.
…But talking about sad things only makes me feel depressed, so I’d be happy if I could stop being stingy about tires and buy an F3000 car equipped with a Cosworth DFV, like a March 88B, Lola T88/50, or Reynard 88D, something from my generation. If that’s the case, then even if I can’t afford a Lotus or Brabham, I could just buy an aluminum monocoque F1 car equipped with a DFV, like a March 761 or a Fittipaldi F5A, and so on. I spend my nights surfing the web instead of writing my manuscript, thinking about this. Well, I’ll try harder in 2025.
