Formula Palmer Audi
former FPA logo - used up to 2008
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| Category | Open-wheeled single seater |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom, mainland Europe |
| Inaugural season | 1998 |
| Folded | 2010 |
| Teams | 1 |
| Engine suppliers |
Audi 1.8 litre 4cyl 20v Turbo 300 bhp, 360 bhp on overboost |
| Tyre suppliers | Avon |
| Last Drivers' champion |
 Nigel Moore
|
| Official website | FormulaPalmerAudi.com |
| Formula Palmer Audi car | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
chassis: Van Diemen International, engine: Audi AG, prepared & built by Mountune Racing |
| Production | 1998-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Open-wheeled single seat race car |
| Body style | 1-seat aluminium honeycomb monocoque |
| Layout |
Longitudinal mid engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Audi 1.8 litre 4cyl 20v Turbo |
| Transmission | 5-speed Hewland FGC transaxle with LSD |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,667 mm (105.0 in) |
| Length | 4,390 mm (172.8 in) |
| Width | 1,830 mm (72.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 530 kg (1,168 lb) (dry weight) |
Formula Palmer Audi, officially abbreviated to FPA, and sometimes informally abbreviated to Palmer Audi, was a one-make class of open wheel Formula racing founded in 1998 by former Formula One driver, Jonathan Palmer. It was based in the United Kingdom (UK), and was organised and operated by MotorSport Vision. It had a high proportion of British drivers and venues, but it also featured international drivers, and races in mainland Europe.
The series was most famous for producing ex-F1 driver and IndyCar race-winner Justin Wilson, and triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.
In November 2010, Jonathan Palmer announced the end of the series with the series' chassis being dismantled for use in other areas of the MotorSport Vision organisation.
The series was originally set up as a cost-effective rival to Formula Three in the UK. After a brief foray into Europe, FPA evolved into a series predominantly for gentleman drivers looking to combine business with pleasure.
However, having produced nominees for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award for five consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, including 2007 winner Stefan Wilson, FPA began to re-emerge as a viable option for young aspiring drivers on the path to Formula One. This was aided by scholarship deals that were announced between FPA and the Stars of Tomorrow karting programme, and between FPA and the FIA Formula Two Championship, which established a clear progression path for young drivers into top-level single seaters.
FPA used to promote itself as a cost-effective form of open wheel racing, with the 2009 season costing driver £55,000 plus VAT, whereas similar series such as Formula Renault or Formula BMW required estimated budgets two to three times higher in order to race with a front-running team.
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