ABOUT FORMULA SUPERCARS

ORIGINS

SA Engineer and car builder supermo, Owen Ashley, designed and built the one make Supercar series in 1995/6 and decades later is still active.

One-make series racing is all about driver ability

Every driver in the series has the same car with the same power.
Suspension is standardized, but tune-able to driver preference.
Costs are controlled by the rules therefore size of cheque book counts for zero – First equals last and any driver can shine on the day.

HISTORY

Formula Supercars: Built on Passion, Driven by Commitment! A Legacy of Racing Excellence

Nearly three decades ago, Owen Ashley Auto Development launched Formula Supercars, a one-make racing series featuring 7/8-scale NASCAR-style cars with tubular space frames, fiberglass bodies, and 2.0L 8-valve Boss engines. Designed for affordability and fierce competition, the series quickly gained traction as one of South Africa’s most exciting motorsport categories, with races held at Killarney Raceway, East London’s Mercedes-Benz GP Circuit, and Scribante Raceway in PE.

However, keeping this class alive has been a journey of passion, dedication, and financial sacrifice. When the grid began shrinking, Dick Bates stepped in, investing heavily to keep the series afloat. His love for the sport led him to buy multiple cars, rebuild them, and ensure they stayed on track, often at great personal cost. Without his commitment, the series might not have survived.

Taking the baton, Ryan Kat dedicated himself to securing every available car, many from garages, some wrecked, and others needing major repairs. He reinvested his time, resources, and passion into rebuilding and restoring these machines, ensuring that drivers had competitive cars and that the Formula Supercars legacy remained intact. Many of the cars he rebuilt are still competing today, proving his lasting impact on the series.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Dick, Ryan, and the new wave of passionate racers like Rico Barlow and Kyle Hallick, the series has reached new heights. Through the support of sponsors like Kaltron Electrical Engineering, Lime Property Management, and Dunlop, they’ve driven Formula Supercars into a new era of success, bringing fresh talent and renewed energy to the grid.

A huge thank you also goes to Jazz de Laaf, our Technical Consultant, whose expertise, guidance, and commitment behind the scenes help keep the series running smoothly. His technical knowledge and dedication play a vital role in ensuring the cars and competition remain at their best.

With 10-11 events annually, a growing grid of 13+ cars, and an unmatched sense of camaraderie among drivers, Formula Supercars continues to offer high-speed, adrenaline-fueled racing while staying true to its roots.

A huge thank you to all the drivers, sponsors, and supporters who have contributed to making Formula Supercars what it is today, a thriving, competitive, and passionate racing series.

This series is more than just racing, it’s a story of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for motorsport.

To everyone who has contributed, past and present, THANK YOU. The future of Formula Supercars is brighter than ever!

#Supercars #ThePremierClass #RacingLegacy 🏁🏁🏁🔥

CLASS RULES

All cars are limited to a maximum output of 133KW and 222NM (subject to dyno checks)
Cars may not weigh less than 880kg (driver included) and are weighed after qualifying and each heat.
Only one tyre make is allowed (currently Dunlop racing slicks)
Only one new tyre may be used per race meeting and after qualifying all tyres are marked and must be used that day.
At the end of the day, 3 of the marked tyres from each car are impounded for compulsory use at the next race meeting.
Brake pads are controlled and must be used in conjunction with an octane booster only available through the committee.
After every heat, random checks are performed to ensure legalities are met. (Again, this may include dyno checks.)