Stuteley returns to UK Formula Ford

Former Formula Ford Clubmans Champion Linton Stuteley is to switch chassis and teams in a bid for UK Formula Ford Championship glory this season.

Stuteley's hopes for top honours in the Ford-backed series centre on his switch to a title-winning Mygale chassis for the coming year, and a new association with the Formula Ford stalwarts at Getem Racing.

Says 21-year-old Linton: "I have bought one of the Jamun Racing Mygales from last year and it's going to be uprated to the latest specification. I've tested it and it's brilliant to drive and the guys at Getem can teach me a lot. As people keep telling me, if I get my head down this year I should do well."

Stuteley has backing from smoking cure The Big Cold Turkey and from ST Construction. The former kart champion was Avon Tyres FF1600 Clubmans Champion in 2005 but struggled to 12th overall in UKFF last year at the wheel of a Spirit.

Jason Down, boss of Kent-based Getem Racing, believes Linton will go well: "The Mygale is a championship-winning car and Linton is a championship-winning driver. The combination should be good…"

Thirty-six-year-old Down will himself be in action once again in UK Formula Ford, at the wheel of the Duratec-powered Getem chassis penned by his father, Martin.

"I am really looking forward to this year," says Jason. "The Duratec engine has transformed the handling of the car and it's a real joy to race. We finished fourth in the Formula Ford Winter Series and there's plenty more to come."

Down and Stuteley are but two of a growing number of registered entries for the UK Formula Ford Championship. Series director Sam Roach said: "The interest has been phenomenal since January's Autosport Show."

The championship expands to a 25-race schedule for 2007, spread over 10 meetings, eight of them supporting British Formula 3 and the other two alongside the A1GP and World Touring Car Championship meetings at Brands Hatch.