Hockenheim: Jim Clark Revival Meeting April 26-30th April 2007

2nd Round FIA Lurani Trophy

The weekend:
The second round of the Lurani Trophy was held at Hockenheim as part of the Jim Clark Revival Meeting.  Memories of last year’s event was uppermost in everyone’s mind when packing their suitcase, most packed for cold and wet and so were pleasantly surprised when the temperature for the four day meeting hit thirty degrees every day with wall to wall sunshine.  The 33,500 spectators were also wooed by the weather as well as their enthusiasm for historic motor racing. Unfortunately the hoped for entry in the Guinness Book of Records as “The Largest Rolling Automobile Museum of the World” was a little short of the hoped for 1,000 with 908 vehicles taking to the track for one lap.  Roger Woodbridge deserves a prize for bravery entering my ex-race car, the Ausper T4, for the attempt – needless to add, this was the only race-trim single seater!  To see 908 vehicles three abreast trundling around the circuit in carnival mood was a bizarre experience, where else would you see a convoy of  30 year old plus vehicles including a race car transporter, race car, virtually every car marque made together with military and emergency vehicles.  The drivers and passengers were hooting their horns, waving and almost falling out of their vehicles in the excitement of the moment.  I wonder if the Health & Safety department were on a long bank-holiday weekend!  Hockenheim and their sponsors also entertained the drivers and guests with a party on the Saturday night.  The 60’s dance numbers played by the Barons were as usual well supported by Formula Junior and in the absence of Martin Walford; Dietrich Merkel took on the mantel of Lord of the Dance with a unique energetic style that I defy anyone of any age to match.  With a plentiful supply of hot and cold food, plus local wine and beer combined with dancing a good night’s sleep was reported by many partygoers.

Race report:
Free Practice: Martin Carter (Lynx 3) retired on lap two due to engine failure caused by the oil filter coming loose and scratched from the meeting – expensive!!! Qualifying:  Pole - Emanuele Benedini; 2nd Urs Eberhardt; 3rd Bruno Schaffner, 4th John Fyda.
Race One:  Eberhardt (Lotus 27), winner at Missano was determined to make it two in a row to maintain the momentum for a successful attempt at the 2007 championship.  Eberhardt lined up on the first row alongside Emanuele Benedini in the Brabham BT6 who was equally committed.  Eberhardt just had the advantage over Benedini until the last lap when Benedini got his nose ahead of Eberhardt at the Sachs Curve, whilst negotiating traffic, for a charge to the line.  Wheels interlocked and Eberhardt executed a 360 degree barrel roll.  Both cars were out, leaving the field clear for the tenacious Swiss driver Bruno Schaffner (Lotus 20/22) to take the win with Enrico Tonetti (Brabham BT6) second and Alessandro Ripamonti in the Wainer 62 third. Eberhardt and Benedini were both classified at 15th and 16th respectively, unfortunately all this was too much excitement for the flag man who failed to spot the winner passing the line as he waited expectantly for Eberhardt or Benedini.  Eventually a revised result list was issued as several drivers had been missed in the confusion.  Robin Longdon (Lola Mk2) spun on the last lap and was waved into parc fermé by marshals without taking the flag but all was sorted out and he comfortably lead class B from Erik Justensen (Mallock U2) who survived two spins, and David Stevenson (U2 Mk2).  In Class C Kevin Musson (Lotus 18) returned to winning form comprehensively ahead of second place Peter Knoefel (Emeryson) and both a lap up on Carlo Del Conte (Wainer) in third.  John Delane (Lotus 18) did well to finish first in class and seventh overall with Chris Chilcott (Lotus 20) second and John Chisholm (Gemini Mk3A) keeping him honest in third.  The fastest class, to be expected, was the rear engine disc brake (Class E) with the fastest lap given to Urs Eberhardt 2:00.431.

Overnight many garages were busy as mechanics struggled to repair damaged and fault ridden cars in time for race two.  Benedini reflecting on the accident with Eberhardt said “We were both racing hard and wanted to win – that’s motor sport – we should both be out tomorrow”. 

Race Two: The second race again saw a battle between Eberhardt, sporting a brand new white helmet, having dragged his old helmet across the gravel in race one, and Benedini with traffic playing a part.  Eberhardt took the lead on Lap 10 for less than one lap before Benedini edged in front when Eberhardt spun whilst overtaking a slower car. Blue flags were noticeable by their absence and the slower cars racing for position in their own classes did not always recognise the leaders steaming through. John Fyda (Lotus 22) went through the kitty litter to avoid contact with a Stanguellini; he managed to regain the track but dropped several places from second, compounded by spinning twice on oil, eventually fighting his way through to fourth position in the remaining two laps. Benedini went on to win by over 28 seconds but with a failing engine that dropped oil from the hairpin to the line before finally giving way on the in-lap, Bruno Schaffner took second, whilst Robert Goodwin (Lotus 22) claimed third. Jens Rauschen (Lotus 22) did well to fight his way through the field from the pit lane to take eighth. The oil was to cause quite a few heart stopping moments for various drivers, especially where they were intent on racing for position and missed the signs of oil in their excitement.  Robin Longdon had an uneventful race to take Class B.  John Delane in winning Class D had much to celebrate with a class win in his TGP Tyrell making a treble.  For the remainder of the results see HOCKENHEIM LURANI RESULTS on FJHRA web page.

Retirements & problems:

Duncan Rabagliati (Alexis HF1) car was repaired on both days by a member of Ian Rowley's team.  Initial problem required a replacement gear box oil seal, engine & gear box out which took all day after qualification.  The head gasket blew in race one & was replaced for race 2.
Dietrich Merkel (Lola Mk 2) oil pick-up pipe broke in qualification - lent front suspension and brakes to Robin Longdon.
Claus Myhr (Cooper Mk 2) overheating possibly a  cracked cylinder head - altering cooling system - all weekend and failed to be classified.
Daniele Salodini (Taraschi) blew a headgasket in race Race 1.
Urs Eberhardt (Lotus 27) & Emanuele Benedini Brabham BT6) - racing incident in Race 1. Emanuele – broken driveshaft.  Urs’s Lotus 27 sported matching gaffer tape over several areas of bodywork.
Kubota Katsu (Lotus 18) gear problem.
Heinz Stege (Elva 100) gear box change.
John Fyda (Lotus 22) Plug lead fell off. In Race 1.
Chris Chilcott (Lotus 20) caught fire in Qualification, loose fuel pipe on carburettor.
Michael Ashley-Brown (Volpini) brakes fade and also lost 2nd gear
John Chisholm (Gemini Mk3A) bent steering, on 3 cylinders broke carburettor off.
Mogens Christensen (Alfa Dana) Leaking petrol float – flooded.
Nicholas Colyvas (Lotus 27) engine failure, broken crank.
Peter Knoefel (Emeryson) accidentally hit ignition switch at hairpin and spun (Race 2).

A Good Samaritan award must go to Peter Knoefel, for his 350 km round trip home to collect spares for Kubota.  This was only one of many instances of drivers and mechanics assisting their rivals to ensure a full grid.

After two rounds of the Lurani Trophy Robin Longdon, John Delane and Carlo Maria Del Conte are all on maximum points of 20.  They are closely followed by three drivers on 16 points so at this stage the championship is there for the taking by the driver with the mixture of fastest car in class, greatest skill, reliability and a large dollop of good fortune! 
                                                                                  

  Jill Carter - May 2007