Spectrum Formula Ford

With both the UK and Australia adopting the Ford Duratec, 1600 cc motor (as used in the Ford Fiesta road cars) for Formula Ford competition from the 2006 season, it provided an opportune time to release the next evolution in the Spectrum line; the 011. Given how successful the 010 of 2004 and 2005 had been, the focus with the 011 was to fine-tune the chassis and suspension to maximise the benefits of the reduced weight and increased power from the new engine.

Success with the new model was immediate; John Martin won the inaugural Fiesta powered Formula Ford round on his way to the 2006 Australian title. During that season, BRD built a Spectrum 011 to the UK regulations and John delivered a victory at the Brands Hatch UKFFC round in the car's UK debut weekend. The 011 chassis dominated the Australian championship and continued to make its mark internationally.

The 2010 Spectrum 012 Formula Ford featured revisions to the chassis and bodywork aimed at improving both the performance and safety of the car. Knowledge gained from wind tunnel and real world testing resulted in improving the car's aerodynamic package. With optimised airflow over the car and to the engine, drivers enjoyed better straight line speed resulting from better engine performance and lower drag. A hallmark of the Spectrum has been the inability of rival chassis to gain a significant slipstream when following; this was further enhanced by the revised design.

The 2010 main panel afforded greater head protection to the driver, whilst increasing peripheral vision. Increased room in the cockpit resulted in a lower seating position, increasing driver comfort (particularly for taller drivers), driver safety and improving cornering speeds by lowering the centre of gravity.

Chaz Mostert dominated the opening round of the 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, which was the international competition debut for all of the 2010 chassis. Mostert qualified the Synergy Motorsport Spectrum 012 on pole and won the round, setting a new lap record in the process.

As with all models since 2004, the new Spectrum included as standard lightweight components offered as expensive options on other chassis. The cars feature:

• Bespoke Penske adjustable dampers
• NMB aircraft quality rod ends and spherical bearings
• MoTeC SDL data logging system
• Motorsport quality wiring loom and electrical connectors
• Motorsport quality brake, fuel and oil lines and fittings
• FIA standard on board extinguisher, racing harness and fuel cell
• Fuel cell features internal motorsport collector for pick up as standard
• Mark Bailey Racing prepared Hewland LD200 gearbox

Spectrum FF1600

All of the features of the Spectrum Formula Ford are available to the FF1600 racer. FF1600 cars are available to purchase new from the factory, or they can supply all of the components required to convert from Formula Ford.

BRD has been producing FF1600 cars since the 1980s, accumulating a string of race and championship wins at home and abroad. In 2009 Jesse Fenech won the Victorian State FF1600 Championship in a Spectrum 010b and Ben Norton drove the Wiltshire College Spectrum 011 to win the Castle Combe FF1600 Championship; arguably the two most competitive FF1600 Championships in the world at the time. Ben and the College also won the Castle Combe Carnival, becoming only the second driver to take the double in the same year.

Sabre Formula Vee

BRD sold 23 Sabre 01 Formula Vee racing cars between 1993 and 2000. Technical changes within the Formula Vee category and the demands of the rapidly growing Spectrum Formula Ford business placed the Sabre project on hold for a number of years.

By 2007, the Vee category had transitioned to the FV1600 regulations. New facilities and increased staffing levels enabled BRD to commence development of their second generation Vee, the Sabre 02, designed specifically for the FV1600 rules. The prototype was designed and built during 2008, before a thorough track testing program in 2009. With the car achieving lap record pace in testing, it was deemed production ready and the first orders were taken in late 2009.

The new Sabre took Formula Vee to the next level. The Sabre 02 shared many common components with the 2010 Spectrum 012 Formula Ford, including main body panels. The Sabre 02 also shared the Spectrum's debut success. In its first outing, Daniel Reinhardt drove the Junior Racing Developments team Sabre 02 to pole position, four from four race wins and a new lap record at Sandown International Raceway.

As with the Spectrum Formula Ford, the Sabre Formula Vee is built with components that include:

• Bespoke Penske adjustable dampers
• NMB aircraft quality rod ends and spherical bearings
• MoTeC SDL data logging system
• Motorsport quality wiring loom and electrical connectors
• Motorsport quality brake, fuel and oil lines and fittings