Between the charity fundraiser and the awards banquet this year, we’ve had many questions about Formula Vee (F1200). Why is the 1963 VW engine, transmission and suspension still the basis of an open-wheel race car today nearly 60 years after introduction? Are old Beetles really that fast?
No. They’re not that fast. But the engine placement over the rear drive wheels isn’t that different to most open wheel cars. It brings to mind the 1964 VW commercial that asked how the snow plow operator gets himself to work, before the roads are plowed. He counts on the traction of his rear-drive, rear-engine Beetle, of course!