United Formula Ford Adds European Flair to Snetterton 300 Event

The MotorSport Vision Racing USA Snetterton 300 meeting celebrated all things Americana, but the United Formula Ford grid delivered some of the best action of the weekend. The first race faced challenges as a safety car period consumed the first half. However, once the green flag waved, the racing became intense with poleman Ronan Doherty (Van Diemen RF00) trying to fend off a strong pack. A missed gear late in the race caused Doherty to run wide, allowing Anthony Amato to seize the opportunity and take victory in his Ray GR22, with Ben Cochran (Van Diemen LA09) finishing second.

Doherty bounced back in the second race, demonstrating impressive defensive driving after securing pole position. He faced consistent pressure from Amato and Cochran, with the trio frequently entering Riches three-wide each lap. Anticipation mounted until the race concluded under a red flag after six laps due to Gavin Guthrie's stranded Ray GR14. "There was a massive headwind, so you had to have at least four car lengths if you didn’t want to defend," Doherty explained after his win. "It meant you had to really nail the last sector of the lap through Coram and the last corner, but that's Formula Ford racing; you just get an amazing slipstream."

In the Bernie's V8s category, the eclectic grid provided exciting races as Michael Saunders's TVR Tuscan edged out Chris Richardson's Chevrolet Monte Carlo for victory in the first race. Saunders, starting from pole, mysteriously dropped back mid-race due to a throttle issue that he managed to fix with the assistance of a late-race safety car. He regained the lead on the penultimate lap, finishing a tenth of a second ahead of Richardson.

In race two, the fierce competition resumed, but the thrilling conclusion was cut short when Richardson retired with two laps remaining. Saunders clinched another win, with Matthew Ellis (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) and Neil Fowler (MGB GT V8) rounding out the podium.

The Legends grid also showcased tight racing throughout the weekend. Chris Needham dominated the opening heats on Saturday, winning the first final after overtaking Tyler Read. Needham and Read split victories on Sunday, with Read earning the Elite Cup title as Needham secured a remarkable five wins in the final against Aaron Cooke.

In the Monoposto category, George Line dominated the first race until a battery failure on the last lap handed victory to James Williams (Dallara F311). Line redeemed himself with wins in races two and three on Sunday.