Escape to the sun in October – free hotels by the beach – a brand new Grand Prix circuit with grandstands for 70,000 spectators – amazing fish restaurants in the old town – a casino evening with a splendid dinner and dancing girls – It all sounded too good to be true! But, no – for once, the fairy tale dream did come true, and twenty-five happy ‘Juniors’ are angling to go back again for more.
Duncan, in conjunction with HGPCA and Motor Racing Legends had gone for a recce in April, sussed out the beach and the bars, and made a bee line for the right hotel – a few ‘hire-car’ laps of the new circuit – reached by its own (almost) Motorway spur off the main Faro-Lagos dual carriageway – left no convincing needed, although cornering with a drum braked FJ/1 was surely going to be tougher than for the A1GP cars which had just christened the circuit.  If the facilities are not Abu Dhabi, they certainly match Sepang and Bahrain – but do not dive into the Pool! – Its paddling deep only! –and the track combines the hills (even if they are artificial – having flattened the paddock and surrounding area, and shifted the excess..!) of Spa, with the corkscrew at Laguna Seca, and with plenty to keep you on your toes in between.
Twenty-three Formula Juniors (with two guest entries) made the trip, the majority transported by ‘Motor Racing Medics’, Delta Motorsport (Iain Rowley) and Polygon, but several others made the long haul through France via St Malo or Caen, or on a boat from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao, and then across the Iberian Peninsula by road extending the trip into an Autumn holiday with camper, or in hotels.  Bob Birrell had conveniently organised an Army Trial North of Lisbon the weekend before!!
Most drivers and wives flew down Wednesday or Thursday, with more than ample time to test (and break) cars[!] on the Thursday before official proceedings began on Friday with timed ‘free’ practice and then qualifying – while the HGPCA and Masters toiled every day, Formula Junior had pre-planned their schedule with a free day on Saturday for beach and sun, before the two races on Sunday; with scorching weather, this bit of forethought met with much acclaim.
Testing and free practice did take their toll – with Jim Chapman’s OSCA engined crying enough after only one lap, Peter St Barbe getting overenthusiastic in his Elva 100, and revving the engine to oblivion – but still smiling and just enjoying the ‘holiday’.  Poor David Crowther smashed the barrier hard in his very original Lotus 22, and expecting an earful from his wife, was reassured by an “at least you were trying” response!  Our two Portuguese drivers were to fare badly, Tito Noronho, who even runs his Stanguellini on the road with registration plates in his native Funchal on the island of Madeira, had big end failure but stayed to enjoy the rest of the weekend.  Patrick Jamin, running in the ‘invitation’ class in his Boyer ‘500’ had trouble even before reaching the circuit, another tow car being despatched from Nogaro to pick up the stricken trailer.
Up front, there were clearly five cars in the frame – with Anthony Binnington in the T67 Cooper an early contender, but despite, or more likely because of, a very expensive rebuild on the 6 speed ERSA box, he was having great difficulty to engage all the gears in the box that had lost its familiar “sloppiness” and had been “improved” by its supposedly well meaning restorer – but worse was to come.

Benn Simms, in Stuart Rolt’s Elva 200, was continuing to fight well above his station, setting an extraordinary fastest lap, 0.1s ahead of Martin Walford in his ex Dean Butler erstwhile fire ravaged Lotus 22, but problems with the oil pump drive led to more serious engine problems as the weekend evolved.
Dr Stephane Rey was improving his pace by the session in the Lola 5A, and Hans Jorgen Krag, with wife and 4 of his 5 children enjoying a holiday, having towed his two car trailer from Denmark, with Erik Justesen’s U2 Mk2 for extra company, driving so well with his Lola Mk 3, ahead of James Hicks (Caravelle II).  At his last FJ meeting, David Steveson (U2) was the fastest Front engined car ahead of Tizzard’s Lola 2.
Friday night was party night with an excellent and crammed to capacity BBQ around the poolside and with no racing on the Saturday, FJ were seen sunning, swimming, eating, touring and (then!) drinking, and ending with an HGPCA cocktail party for members and invited guests - before a meal in the old town of Alvor.  Next time you order sardines, do not think of the tinned variety. Here they come as half sized herring and in plates of six (at least!)
Race(s) day was Sunday: It started badly for Anthony Binnington  - slow off the green flag grid with continuing gearbox maladies, he came through to regain grid station, but Portuguese guest driver Alberto Velez-Grilo,  in his FF Merlyn Mk 17 was caught unaware as he weaved to warm the tyres – and both cars were out! Luckily Alberto had replacement suspension for Race 2, but Anthony was not so lucky. Martin Walford restored order at the front, and a spin from Stephane Rey left Krag a well deserved runner up, with Simms out of contention and pulling off after 6 laps.  A classic sight was the two U2’s circulating together for much of the race.
Race 2 had a slightly depleted field, with Robin Lackford (Elva 100), Lorraine Gathercole (Lotus 18) and Benn Simms failing to take the start – joined by Roger Woodbridge (Ausper T4) who had caught some tropical lurgie on the plane from Lagos, where he works as a banker for Stanchart and was definitely under the weather. A great race at the front however with Rey keeping it on the black stuff this time, not for want of trying by Krag, only 4 secs separating the three at the flag.  Both Simms and David Drew, back in the RAM, lasted but one lap, but Tizzard had a good race in the Lola, Stevenson spinning and Justesen (U2) pulling up with engine problems.  James Hicks made a late start from the pits. Duncan’s Alexis was definitely failing, and after a good battle with Sue Spence’s Elva 200, fell further back and eventually just plopped over the line after taking a welcome chequered flag.
A jolly prizegiving followed, courtesy of Mark and Yeeman Green and the cars were then  loaded on the trucks, whilst the diehard enthusiasts watched Button speed to F1 Championship victory on the pits TV.
A splendid Casino evening, with very hands on dancers, was enjoyed by FJ, HGPCA and Legends – Masters strangely opting out from this fun event.
Next day was hot again, some enjoyed boats trips and swimming, whilst the fish restaurants still remained favourite.
Full marks to Francisco Santos for a splendid end to the season.

DCPR