FIA Lurani was back at the OGP after a year’s break, but those with longer memories would find the setup almost unrecognisable – a massive hotel and casino complex on both sides of the main drag, separated by roundabouts, a helter skelter (currently defunct after two accidents) over the track entrance, only working trucks on the helipad, and with the large paddock area now a tented city. With all the F1 and Sports/GT cars locked away in the pit garages, it was the Formula Junior cars that provided the spectator attraction in four large tents, all wisely (as it was to be proved) with wooden floors above the water line, and Goodwood style boards behind each car. A few arrived on Wednesday as free practice was scheduled (for the first time ever) on Thursday - but this degenerated into chaos – changes of schedule, red flagged sessions, etc, resulting in cars paying for 70mins and being lucky to get 20 mins on track – fortunately refunds were given. With nothing on Friday expect a day breaking drivers briefing at 1pm, the cars arrived on Thursday for Friday scrutineering, and preparation, as the Qualifying was at 8.30am on Saturday morning. It was surely a sign of the times that the three cars making their FJ debut were from Germany; after years of contact with Duncan, FF, and Mini racer Stefan Weinbach from Zell—am-Mosel had bought Paul Dixon’s early Elva 100, now in black – Olaf Strauch made his race debut in the ex-Durstewitz Cooper-BMC T59, and our “egg man” Horst Niggemann had finally received his HTP papers for the drum braked Lotus 20. IN addition, Bergamo organiser, Simone Tacconi had his ex-Ben Pon Lotus 20. The rest of the field were very familiar faces, although it was good to see Tony Steele’s red Lola Mk 2, and a return for Hans Jorgen Krag in his Mk3 Lola, as well as less regular runners Larry Kinch (20) and Conti Manfredo Rossi (22) both extolling the pleasures and closeness of FJ racing.

Saturday was hot and sunny – the only problem was the low lying sun in the drivers’ eyes! Urs Eberhardt(27) and Edwin Jowsey (22) were circulating together throughout, with Urs just 0.3s ahead at the end, his last lap effort resulting in a spin, but with yellow flags out, Tonetti and Amez-Droz (BT6’s) were amongst the four unlucky enough to have their last lap (best time) cancelled!

Proceedings were halted half way through when Anthony Goddard’s engine tightened and ultimately deposited its engine contents around the Sudkurve hairpin, to join Giancarlo Galeazzi, to be a non starter on his 3rd successive OGP, with engine problems, and Simone Tacconi, also in engine trouble, but that, fortunately, soon fixed. Poor Lars-Göran (Swebe) had, as always, been having fun in his beloved Cooper 500 based one off, but could not restart after a spin, James Owen (Elva 200) broke a sub axle and Manfredo Rossi found his chassis broken, after setting tenth fastest, while third place went to Christoph Burckhardt. Behind Christoph were some excellent times from Urs Muller (Lotus 20/22), Jens Rauschen (Lotus 22), and as ever, enjoying himself in his Lotus 22 – as well as an Allard – Martin Walford – all ahead of Tonetti, who had pitted for adjustments, Bruno Ferrari (Branca) and Stephane Rey (Lola Mk5A). Brian Mitcham and Erik Justesen in their U2’s were 19th and 18th respectively, but Erik was truly back in form, some 3 seconds faster! Heinz Stege followed in 3rd front engined spot, a further 2 seconds adrift, Krag, Knofel (Emeryson) and Salodini (Taraschi) led classes D, C and A.

With Race 1 at 12.15, drivers were anxious to have their cars released from Park Fermée, but it was nearly 10am before this was achieved, the local organisation prevailing over the FIA Stewards’ decision to release the cars before 30 minutes after the practice times had been finally published, after the last lap times of the four transgressors had been expunged.

Edwin Jowsey was looking for a manifold gasket, James Owen had his stub axle (and wheel!) replaced.
Matt King replaced Duncan’s throttle cable, which had finally broken and Tacconi found the solution to his engine problem, so FJ’s were out for their midday slot for Race 1, this time in a 2 by 2 side by side format, rather than the usual GP start. Both Urs and Edwin made good starts, and soon settled into a close formation, broken only by the odd backmarker, until half way round the last lap (11) experience told and Urs found a gap - and held it, despite a determined effort by Edwin before the chicane - but Urs knew he had it, and headed Edwin across the line by 0.3seconds. After a very poor start, with his high gear ratios, and nearly tripping over a spinning John Dowson (BT2) at the Mercedes Kurv, Christoph set through the field just ahead of Tonetti, when a drive shaft failed, doughnuts broken, and sadly some chassis damage. Bruno Ferrari (Branca) joined the chase, just 0.7s behind, then a line astern of Muller, Walford, Amez-Droz (later to be penalized 30s for failing to take a drive through for a jumped start) and the remarkable Krag in his drum braked Mk3 Lola, ahead of the Mk5A of Stephane Rey, and Jens Rauschen. Erik Justesen (U2 Mk2) was a strong front engined runner winner, ahead of the lapped Brian Mitcham, while Tony Steele was, unusually, out of the OGP Trophies, after a spin and then being, temporarily, unable to restart. Tacconi was delighted with his race finish, with a great battle of the Italian cars between Michael Ashley-Brown (Volpini) and Guido Di Egidio (Stanguellini) coming out in MAB’s favour, Salodini in the Taraschi having stopped with electrical failure on the last lap. Stefan Weinbach (Elva 100) passed Duncan (Alexis) and they held distant station to the end, with Olaf Strauch (Cooper T59) coming slowly into sight behind. Lars Göran kept the Swebe going till almost the very end, until overheating problems, having dropped rght back from involvement with the “Italian” battle, at least on the road, and Horst Niggemann’s 20 drew to a halt on the grass with Renault gearbox problems.

Prizegiving followed for all in parc fermée with Peter Jackson’s friend “your highness” - alias Johannes Hübner behind the microphone. Urs was delighted, 12 days before his forthcoming Wedding to Cat, to be back on the winners’ rostrum, despite some delay in locating the Swiss National Anthem. Then the class winners had their turn too, for Trophies and photographs. With Sundays race not till late, there was time for a few beers and camaraderie at Hotel Hüllen that night!

Then, as forecast, Sunday dawned wet – very wet!! – HGPCA managed a race, although the leading Ferrari spun off, but, thereafter, proceedings were delayed, rain fell in volumes, the Italian Cup ran for 5 cars only, mostly under the safety car. Things did not look too optimistic although Lurani was rescheduled for 5pm, but most of the German and Swizz teams had already packed for home.

The race was called, and the brave (British and Italian) drivers were kitted up – but meantime the Clerk of the Course was reporting to the stewards that water streams were running across the track in several places due to heavy rain since the morning. The Stewards, accompanied by Duncan, made a track inspection driven by Wolfgang Vieren, the Clerk of the Course – with at least 15 streams, and even the course car aquaplaning, the decision was taken: the track was unsafe. Race Two for the FIA Lurani Trophy was cancelled. Indeed the whole meeting was brought to an end, Masters F1 at the second attempt having been red flagged after one lap under the safety car, and the second Masters GT/Sports
race cancelled …..

Those who were prepared to drive in the wet were sorry not to get a race, but no one doubted the decision…! Cars and equipment were loaded in the rain – and teams headed for Zolder – or home – or back to Hotel Hüllen for a fun evening – with MAB at his best!

DCPR