“Our parts division has many years of expertise in re-making blocks,” Andy Slankard, Ford Racing Engineering supervisor said in a release. "And we are going to take our knowledge of modern techniques to remanufacture the 'Kent' block and improve its durability. Our aim is not to make performance gains but to strengthen it and to make the unit more reliable."
In addition to the Kent, Ford is also developing a 1.6l, 110 PS version of the Duratec, which will be available for Formula Ford cars starting the end of 2009. The new engine is expected to cost around £5,000 and can be fitted in any car, as a replacement for either the 1.6l Kent or the 1.8l Zetec engines.
“The new power unit will be ideal for fitment in new chassis; it will be a stepping stone to the more powerful Duratec engines used in the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain and other series worldwide,” Mike Norton, Ford Europe Motorsport manager said. "The engine will be made available throughout world, from the US to Europe, Australia to Africa.”
Formula Ford is currently in its 43 season and is competing in several countries from Europe, North and South America. The series was the either a a starting point or a pit stop on the way to Formula 1 for Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and current F1 front-runner, Jenson Button.
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