Former Camel Team Lotus Formula One Driver Martin Donnelly to Return to his Racing Roots by Competing and Racing at this year’s Formula Ford Festival-Masters Race, Driving for Bridger Motorsport on the 25th of October 2015.

Martin Donnelly: Comment

“I first heard of some rumblings about a proposed Masters Race at this year’s Formula Ford Festival back in the early months of this summer. It is open for all previous ex drivers from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s to take the opportunity of dusting off their old racing overalls and either using (if they still have held onto their old Chassis) or borrowing/leasing a car which they raced in that period of time many years ago.

“Well One thing led to another, and the next I know I received an invitation from Brian Jones (lead commenter for this event over the last Forty years and a good personal friend of my late Father Martin) to come out and race, find a car and Team, and race against the great Champions from the past.

“So I’ve done just that. Bridger Motorsport have very kindly agreed to support and run me in one of their Mygale 1600 Chassis. Jay Bridger has a wealth of experience himself as a former racing driver.

“Jay raced in British Formula Three for the Hingham based team Lightspeed and won the National Class in Formula Three in 2008. Since then, Jay has started his own professional team and has competed in many national championships and is currently running a strong and competitive Formula Ford Team.

“All I can hope is to lose a few more pounds in weight and try to give the older/young competitors a good run for their money on the day.

“I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to Jay and his team in giving me this great opportunity to roll back the years... to where it all started 34 years ago.”

Jay Bridger: Comment

“Martin first contacted me several weeks ago with the notion and an idea if I’d be prepared to support and run him in one of our current Formula Ford 1600 cars. Well, with a driver like Martin and his pedigree... to be honest it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“Well somehow he has managed to convince me this is a good idea and now it’s all happening. He says it will be just a bit of fun. But the way he’s talking now... with regards to car set-up, gear ratios etc. ... I can see he wants to at least get onto the podium… bloody typical of competitive drivers.

“I myself will also be competing in the actual Formula Ford Festival again, like Martin, but to try and get onto that top step.
It will be interesting to see how we square up against each other during the course of the weekend itself.”