Hard on the heels of the A1 Grand Prix cars, the Formula Junior Golden Jubilee celebrations and the containers so kindly transported by Calven Bonney arrived at the new Taupo track in glorious sunshine, and much frantic work on several cars , not least John Chisholm's Gemini 3A, with a complete engine rebuild in the three days., and the beautiful ex --Fitzwilliam Team Lola Mk 2 of Reger Herrick finally completed for its first race for 40 years, having lain unknown in the back of a German museum all this time. Practice saw Australian Peter Strauss [BT6], only marginally ahead of the revelation of the series, Peter Anstiss from Preston , Lancs ,in his Lotus 20/22, with Jonathan williamson [22], Ned Spieker [BT6], and popular Queenslander, Don Thallon in his T56 Cooper . Chisholm's efforts, sadly, came to nought , even on his out lap

Race one had Spieker and Strauss, leaping the lights again , with Anstiss unwittingly caught out too, but it was a great battle on the road, with Graham Brown [BT2] employing all power and bravado on the last lap to nip ahead of Spieker and Anstiss, but with their penalty , it was an incredible second spot for Jac Nelleman from Denmark in the underpowered NOTA, right behind , with Don Thallon third

Race two saw Jac Nellemam leading for the first three laps , despite leaping across the chicane after some contact with an equally stirred Roger Ealand [ 18]. Ultimately the power of the BT6 saw Spieker ahead on lap 4, but Nelleman was right behind till the suspension broke at the hairpin on the last lap , leaving Graham Brown behind Spieker, and Jonathan Williamson a more distant third

Race three was the most exciting battle for the lead that Formula Junior has seen for a very long time. Nelleman could not , sadly , be repaired, so Spieker led Jonathan Williamson from the lights , but Anstiss was up to second by lap two , and poised !! Behind in a train , lap after lap, were Australian FJ coordinator,David Reid [T 59 Cooper], John Rapley [BT2], Chisholm, finally on song, Ealand , Strauss and Thalon. Chisholm was edging up, whilst Anstiss was looking all the time for his chance , which came in a steady but determined move round the last lap, but not before Williamson had slipped bye as well: Anstiss just drove by them both on the twisty bits to take the lead. Coming up to the final chicane, they were all tightly bunched, but Anstiss held on , despite taking briefly to the grass in a dust cloud , to take his first ever FJ win , to much acclaim and excitement , from Spieker, an ever improving Chisholm, taking the drum brake class as well,Williamson and Reid. Clive Wilson took the front engined honours , but a tremendous drive for second class place came from New Zealander Walter Findlay in his pristine Elva -DKW in only his third ever race meeting, having earlier in the weekend kindly leant the car to Duncan for a few laps in practice .Bob Birrell and Graham Brown had an inexplicable coming together in the first corner,in their Brabhams despite being six rows apart on the grid, Bob continuing after a quick pit stop to check no damage

It had been another wonderful weekend of racing and cameraderie, and now everyone is preparing for the Australian races at Calder and Philip Island , where a grid of nearer 50 Formula Juniors is expected

DCPR