Formula Racing Development
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorsport promotion |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Kenneth Ma |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Asia, China |
Key people | Kenneth Ma (Founder) |
| Products | Motorsport event organization, racing teams, driver coaching, corporate racing programs |
| Website | www |
Formula Racing Development Limited, commonly known as FRD Motorsports (FRD), is a motorsport promotion company headquartered in Hong Kong, established in 1997 by Kenneth Ma. FRD manages and promotes various racing series throughout Asia and China, such as the Asian Formula Renault Championship, China’s Formula Campus Championship, the Clio Cup China Series, and the Asia GT Race Series. In addition to these events, FRD operates driving schools, corporate racing programs, automotive events, and hosts an annual celebrity race. The organization also runs its own racing team, prominently competing in the CTCC under the banner of the "Chang'an Ford Racing Team".
About FRD
Ranked among the largest racing academies in Asia, FRD was founded to offer professional motorsport avenues for drivers within the region. The company has nurtured several distinguished racers including Marchy Lee, Jim Ka To, Jiang Tengyi, Frankie Chang, and Pekka Saarinen, a Finnish-German champion in Formula Renault.
FRD is dedicated to fostering professional motorsport competitions across Asia, featuring developmental series such as the junior Ford Formula Campus in collaboration with automaker Changan FORD, which provides emerging drivers with competitive exposure. Since 2002, FRD has served as the official Asian promoter of the Formula Renault 2.0 series through its partnership with Renault Sports Technologies. Furthermore, in 2009, FRD successfully brought the European Renault Clio Cup series to Asian audiences.
The company also manages GT racing events that showcase high-performance touring supercars from brands like Ferrari and Aston Martin. Conducted jointly with Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC), this championship stands as one of Asia’s premier supercar competitions, drawing drivers from regions including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, USA, Canada, Japan, UK, and Italy.
Emphasizing corporate social responsibility, FRD organizes charity initiatives such as its Celebrity Charity Race. This event has featured renowned personalities like Jackie Chan and Jet Li and has raised substantial funds for disaster relief efforts—raising nearly 400 million RMB during a single occasion.
In 2006, FRD collaborated with Changan Ford to create the “Changan Ford Racing Team,” marking CTCC’s first factory-supported squad. Competing with specially tuned Ford FOCUS vehicles, this team has achieved six manufacturer championships and is considered a dominant force in the series.
FRD’s vehicle inventory includes approximately 100 race cars stationed at both Shanghai International Circuit and Zhuhai International Circuit. This collection comprises Formula Renault cars, Formula Campus vehicles, Clio Cup cars, Ferrari 360s, and Ford Focus Cup models.
The company’s operations are divided into four principal segments:
- Organization and promotion of racing events
- Management of racing teams
- Driver coaching and development programs
- Corporate client services
Asian Formula Renault Series (2000–present)
Initiated in 2000 with support from Renault Sport, FRD launched the Asian Formula Renault Series (AFR Series) to create an affordable junior racing platform throughout Asia. By importing a fleet of Formula Renault 2.0 vehicles, this series rapidly became a vital stepping stone for emerging regional drivers. Between 2002 and 2005, AFR hosted invitational races during the Macau Grand Prix weekend that featured prominent competitors such as F1 drivers Kamui Kobayashi, Kazuki Nakajima, Red Bull Junior Scott Speed, and Bruno Senna. The 2014 season saw the introduction of the newest generation Formula Renault cars to elevate competition and enhance spectator interest.
Clio Cup China Series (2009–present)
Since its launch in 2009, the Clio Cup China Series has been a single-make motorsport competition centered around the Renault Clio supermini, with FRD overseeing its operations. Originating from Renault Sport Europe, this championship has attracted skilled drivers from the region as well as notable personalities like Hong Kong entertainer Aaron Kwok, who secured the title in its inaugural year. By 2013, the series planned ten events across various Chinese locations, including four rounds aligned with the CTCC, solidifying its role within China's racing scene.
Formula Campus (1997–2009)
Launched by FRD in 1997, the Formula Campus Championship served as a professional stepping stone for emerging Asian racers. In 2007, the series underwent major enhancements such as aerodynamic chassis upgrades and the addition of MoTec Data Analysis equipment to improve driver coaching and performance assessment. Collaborating with Changan Ford, Ford engines and transmissions were introduced, elevating vehicle capabilities and race standards, reflecting a strategic effort to advance motorsport growth in Asia.
Celebrity Race (2004–present)
Since 2004, FRD has organized the Celebrity Charity Race. Initially conducted in partnership with the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation under the "Jackie Chan Cup," this event predominantly featured female celebrities from Asia. In 2006, FRD hosted the Hong Kong China Travel Service Cup, attracting stars such as Alan Tam and Eric Tsang.
Starting in 2007, FRD collaborated with Jet Li’s One Foundation Project to stage the One Foundation Charity Celebrity Race. Over 80 celebrities have taken part over more than a decade, contributing to fundraising efforts for multiple charitable causes.
FRD Racing Team
Operating out of Zhuhai, the FRD Racing Team manages a fleet of 12 Formula Renault 2.0 vehicles. The team is divided into a competitive squad participating in the Asian Formula Renault Series and a dedicated testing division providing continuous vehicle development throughout the year at Zhuhai. Additionally, they maintain race cars competing in the Clio Cup China Series.
Changan Ford Racing Team
On 15 February 2006, Changan Ford Automobile Corporation Limited partnered with FRD to establish the Changan Ford Racing Team, marking the first fully factory-supported outfit in the premier CTCC.
Focused on nurturing young Chinese drivers, the team signed Rainey He in 2007 and offered comprehensive backing as an official works team. By 2009, drivers Tengyi Jiang, Martin Cao, and Andy Yan joined He’s ranks. Following Cao’s departure in 2011 to pursue education, Gaoxiang Fan was recruited through the Changan Ford Young Driver Program. That same year, the team clinched the manufacturer championship; Andy Yan won overall driver honors while Tengyi Jiang finished third.
In 2012, after five years running an earlier generation model, Changan Ford transitioned to the new Focus. The team secured its fourth straight manufacturer title and fifth within seven years. Drivers Andy Yan, Rainey He, and Tengyi Jiang achieved first runner-up, second runner-up, and third runner-up positions respectively.
The 2013 season continued this winning tradition with the New Focus sedan equipped with an Ecoboost 1.6T engine. Martin Xie, reigning 2012 China Production Car Champion, joined Yan, He, and Jiang on the roster. The team earned its sixth manufacturer championship in eight years while Andy Yan reclaimed his driver champion status.
Changan Ford Racing maintained their dominance by capturing their sixth consecutive manufacturer title during the 2014 CTCC season.