DCPR Report and Travelogue;
They say that all roads lead to Rome, which was fortunate as the French lorry drivers and students had blockaded fuel supplies so we planned a route that took us out of France for refuelling. With daughter-in-law Holly away first in Belarus, then Bruxelles, it was grand parental duty for Miss Lucy until 6pm on Wednesday, and then hot foot via an empty Chunnel to bed down at our familiar logis “la Sapiniere” at Wisques near St. Omer – and a surprise greeting at early breakfast from Alex and Louise Morton en route to Ledanon to race the Lotus 21. We took the usual route to Spa and Nurburg via Mons before heading direct south to Luxembourg for a cheap petrol filling – in fact so cheap that Duncan thought the car must have been on a slope and not filled properly, it was so few euros! From there through Moselle and Alsace past Strasbourg to Basle for another fill up before St. Gottard and then into Italy past Milan to bed down again in an annex to the spa hotel ‘Hotel delle Terme’ at Terme di Montecelli’ near Parma – and a fine pizza in the local pizzeria Calauna, the proprietress hailed from Sardinia so we could recount the story of Uncle Giacomo who looked after the customs duty at Cagliare some 150 years ago! Another early start, rather ignoring Kevin Whittle’s warnings about trailer speed limits in Italy, although the Tom Tom did warn us of the ‘little man’ radar every so often, and we were at Vallelunga circuit by 12.30, in time for a (130e!) first free practice, curtained somewhat by billowing oil smoke, coming from an ill fitting rocker gasket, kindly fixed by Angelo Bercelli, chief mechanic at GPS Classic, but in 21°C we had had at least a chance to learn the track, getting down to 2m 16s.
Out at front was Pierre Tonetti with the familiar yellow BT6, the ex-Benedini BT6, to be run in the parato by Francesco Zadotti, his F3 Tecno still hors de combat with broken engine. The ex-Liberatore Moretti was also sitting in the GPS paddock, awaiting a buyer, while we hear that the similar Stefano Rosina car was offered for sale – at an auction of modern art! – in Italy, 2 weeks ago. Other leading FJ contenders would be the pair of Brancas for series organiser Tommaso Gelmini and Bruno Ferrari the Merlyn Mk5 of Patrizia Sbardolini and Alessandro Ripamonti’s 62 Wainer, the former having a rather historic rocker cover masquerading a current “Richardson”, it being for “HILLWOOD RACING ENGINES, GT MISSENDEN – JUNIOR ENGINE NO 23”, this being off Patrizia’s spare. The Swiss contingent were reduced to two with Guido Haschke in the ex-Martin Sheppard T59-BMC looking immaculate, and wine provider Angelo Delio in his BT15 F3, as Gino Baulino was exercising his Bugatti at a conflicting event. In the front engined class, both Taraschi’s of Salodini and Taraschi showed signs of a recent repaint, with Flora Salodini having a new hairstyle to go with it! - while Franco Beolchi’s FIAT powered Apache Mk1 was in contrast beginning to look rather tired, now 5/6 years since its restoration. It was fun to see Milt Brown, constructor of the Apache FJ’s, and later Apollo GT cars in attendance, now recovered from his broken ankle at Laguna Seca, his own Mk2 Apache, with BMC motor, being near completion at Franco’s workshop, ready for both cars to go to Laguna Seca next year. It was interesting that Milt located the Mk2, originally sold as a kit, and once completed, but never raced, in California, in answer to his advertisement seeking a car, as the owner of an uncompleted kit Mk3, with whom he is in contact, would not sell, even after 50 years uncompleted!
Last but not least, Paolo Marzatico, his FJ Branca still engineless was running an ‘Invitation Class’ wingless Branca F3 1600 (Ford), this being a late 1970 constructed car no – 015, Paulo also owning an earlier F3 1 Litre no.014, and the last F3 1600, with Alfa Motor no 022.
Another ‘free’ FJ session followed, only Delia going astray, and collecting a body full of gravel.
After discussions with Tommaso over Lurani and Italian FJ dates, FIA problems permitting, we located our ‘historic’ hotel, the ’Il Borgo di Sutri” at Mezzaroma Nuova, had a quick kip, and returned to the Vallelunga Park Hotel, just outside the circuit, and owned by Francesco Zadotti, where everybody, drivers, all mechanics, and friends enjoyed a splendid ‘Roman’ meal (slightly reminiscent of a ‘Peking’ version of Italian) – a succession of courses, and pleasant wine appearing.
Saturday morning was qualifying with Tonetti comfortably ahead at 1m 52.372, nearly 3s ahead of Gelmini and Ferrari the latter before he too fell off into the gravel, then another group, close together, of Marzatico, Ripamonti and Sbardolini. Guido Haschke just headed the two Taraschi’s of Salodini and Taraschi, both of which had a spin, while Duncan led Franco Beolchi at the back.
Briefing (all in Italian) and a good ‘Perone’ lunch followed and then race 1 in mid afternoon. It had been sunny, but cooled down by then. It’s a long circuit (4.085 kms) starting with a long drag and then two fast corners before a most interesting T3. You have to be brave and hold your speed in to get a good speed out of T4 and then another long drag, but up a hill to a 3rd gear 180°R corner; but with no street furniture, and a slight rise, the braking point is really hard to pinpoint – on the outside and another 180°, L this time, in 2nd, before a fast 90° L again up to the real infield: a light 180°R followed by the tighter 180°L, and then a 90° L and 90° R, both quite difficult to get the best of out, the car rolling from one side to the other – then to the 3rd gear parabolic 180° onto the start line in front of the pits – Hardly there before the red lights on and off, and we were away – Bruno Ferrari before anyone else, in to the lead, ahead of Tonetti and Gelmini, but that was to earn him two drive throughs, the second for speeding in the pit lane during the first one! First lap and Tonetti was soon ahead, with Gelmini in second, but Gelmini was off track after T4 on lap 2 falling right back to split the two Taraschi’s, and just ahead of Guido Haschke in the Cooper. With all the going on, Paolo Marzatico was up to 2nd while Ferrari had his drive throughs, with Gelmini back to 4th by lap 5, only to pit with engine off song, then do two more laps at the back before calling it a day. Marzatico too was in trouble on the 7th lap, the Cortina based engine crying enough. Alessandro Ripamonti meantime, benefitted from Ferrari’s indiscretion and was up to 2nd, before Bruno regained his rightful place and Alessandro then had Patrizia Sbardolini in the blue Merlyn to contend with – but held on well to take a worthy podium place behind the all conquering Tonetti and Bruno Ferrari. Guido Haschke was a very constant 6th, after Angelo Delea in the F3 Brabham spun off on the straightaway behind the pits, while very inconsistent drives from both Taraschi’s saw victory finally go to Tazio, 3 secs separating them at the finish. Duncan was going well until two-thirds distance when the car suddenly slowed, but he managed to drag it to the flag, just ahead of Franco Beolchi’s Apache, before the piston finally gave in on the slowing down lap, and a tow back to the pits.
Angelo Bercelli, Gelmini’s Chef de cops examined the motor with his little lights, but the spark plugs told the tale of too lean a mixture, and the engine was done, at least for the weekend.
A jolly prizegiving on the podium for race and class winners, so Duncan collected his local cheeses, and in answer to the question as to whether the famous singer Alberto Rabagliati was his father (Alberto was born before 1900!!) replied vaguely “cousin”! – perhaps one day we will prove it!
Sadly there was no point in remaining, so the car was loaded and back to the hotel for an early start next morning, but first a jolly evening with a party (without Tommaso, running a sore throat and Franco, fettling his Apache) of 20 or more FJ’s, as Il Borgo di Sutri was putting on an ‘Argentine’ evening plenty of Tango and 1920’s film clips, as well as Argentine (?) Beef, but clearly Lloyd Webber was too late, and no rendering of “Argentina” from Evita! Apparently not the scene for the Benedini brothers, Giampaolo and Emanuele, the latter missing his BT6, sitting unused in the paddock, but the Rabagliati’s enjoyed themselves with Angelo and Luisa Seneci, and it was past midnight before bed – and a 7.30 start the next morning.
Race 2 report follows, but meantime the Alexis was heading home – with no lorries, and again a cavalier regard for trailer speed limits, we were at the Swiss border before 1, only to encounter a determined Italian Customs official, reminding us that Switzerland wasn’t part of the EU, demanding Vehicle Registration documents for the Alexis – none of course, but I recalled how Ean Pugh had all his F1 and F5000 cars with UK registration plates for Swiss customs, and my own vow from a previous year, to get a new log book for the Alexis HF1 trials car, as this conveniently has the same chassis number (OK Roman rather than Arabic numerals!) as the race car, and some dymo tape over the orange nose – Anyway we produced the FIA HTP and fortunately the name and address tallied with Duncan’s (UK) passport (better not produce the Italian one here!) and we were eventually allowed to escape, especially as all this fuss with the Alexis had allowed a deeply suspicious transporter to sail through in the mêlée !! To the chagrin of our little man.
There was a very Swiss lack of organisation at the entrance to the San Gottard Tunnel, with various streams merging queues in a most unintelligent manner, resulting in long delays - heavy rain, and more road works involving a detour through Lucerne city, but as twilight beckoned it was an easy run past Strasbourg. Some petrol stations were closed, and, stopping before Metz, 30 litres max were available at the pumps – enough to take to the French motorways via Reims, rather than return on the Luxembourg – Belgium route, despite the attraction of cheap petrol in the Grand Duchy. With la Sapiniere at Wisques closed, a late Logis booking was made at le Pot D’etain, very conveniently near the autoroute and with parking for car and trailer right outside the rooms. A good breakfast made one resolve to arrive earlier next time, and sample the dinner menu! - off again before 9, and a clear run to the Eurotunnel, straight on to an almost empty train, and Alexis and tent garaged, home by 12.30pm with the telephone ringing as we walked in – Christopher Tate inviting Formula Junior to join Masters at Oporto next June 2011 with a generous hotel and travel financial package to go with it....
Race 2 was at 12.55 on Sunday, and proved to be another Tonetti benefit, although Gelmini was marginally faster of the two Branca’s, Bruno Ferrari avoided any indiscretions this time and held on to a 3s lead at the flag, both clear of Alessandro Ripamonti’s Wainer. Angelo Delia, too, kept all four wheels on the black stuff, and just caught and passed Patrizia Sbardolini’s Merlyn on the last lap, although both one lap down to the flying Tonetti. Guido Haschke’s lack of first gear meant another slow start, before catching and passing both Taraschi’s on the third lap – thereafter ensued a good battle between all three, before Salodini had to retire on lap 12 due to a clutch problem which was already in evidence towards the end of race 1, leaving Haschke comfortably ahead of Taraschi who then slowed down and drive another erratic last few laps to the finish, all ahead of Franco Beolchi’s Apache Mk1, secure in 2nd place in class.
Angelo Seneci Report;
The last round of the Challenge Formule Storiche, promoted and well organized by Tommaso Gelmini with his team of GPS Classic, took place on the Roman track “Piero Taruffi” in Vallelunga. Tazio Taraschi was declared the winner of the Challenge in the family car, which he personally cares for. The first surprise was the absence of Francesco Zadotti, in his Tecno F3 “Passo Corto”. The Roman driver could not be present at his home track because of breaking the engine at the end of his victorious race in Varano.
As usual, the event was held over two races and, as in the previous dates where he raced, the victory went to Pierre Tonetti in his Brabham BT 6. The superiority of Tonetti, winner in his class of 2010 Lurani Trophy, could already be seen in qualifying with the pole position achieved with an advantage of 2.66” over the second quickest, Tommaso Gelmini in his Branca Formula Junior, who preceded by only 0.83” the Brescian driver and director of the Museum of the Mille Miglia in Brescia, Bruno Ferrari always in a Branca. Qualifying form was confirmed for the 12 competitors in race one with the victory and the fastest lap to Tonetti, who repeated this with the same results in race two. "Maybe the other competitors were not ready”, said Tonetti after the races. “The track was new for everyone, but it has not been well understood. In Formula Junior races, in fact, it is unusual to see such a gap between the first and the second. I think, I have honoured the European title, won in the last race for only 17 thousandth and for a single point." Behind the uncatchable Pierre in both races was Bruno Ferrari. The third place went to the "forever young" and fast Alessandro Ripamonti in a wonderful Wainer FJ and to Gelmini, who retired in race one due to problems with the gear lever.
Race one was characterized by the jump start of Ferrari, who was forced to a double drive through, the first for an early start and the second for not having respected the speed limit in the pit lane during the first penalty. Ferrari, not convinced of his early start, was forced to recover its race twice, which allowed the spectators to watch a spectacular and aggressive driving. Most enthusiasm was aroused in the central part of the group, where Patrizia Sbardolini in her Merlyn FJ was safely in fourth place, but the two Swiss Delea and Haschke, respectively in Brabham BT16 F3 and in Cooper T59, did battle. At the end Guido Haschke won the duel, even if penalized at the start by a gear box which was lacking the first gear, also thanks to the withdraw of Delea because he went off the track pressed by his countryman. In race two, while no-one worried Ripamonti in fourth place, Delea recovered very well finishing in fifth position in front of Sbardolini, who lost her position in the final lap, victim of some gearbox problems.
Among the front-engine cars, in both races, which he won, Tazio Taraschi was put under pressure by Daniele Salodini from Brescia, in great form on the circuit named after Piero Taruffi. The driver, who was the winner in his class at the 2010 Lurani Trophy (for the third time this year), proved to have grown very much during a year that only the bad luck prevented him from making this season even more satisfactory with the overall win in the Lurani Trophy, which was in his hands until the two remaining races. Taraschi's victory in race two was also made easier by the withdrawal of Salodini, who was leading, but who was obliged to retire due to a clutch problem which he already had towards the end of a race one.
Among the other competitors Paolo Marzatico reported breaking the engine in race one in Branca F3 1600 CC. and problems afflicted British visitor, Duncan Rabagliati, who after concluding race one by winning class B, could not start in race two because of a broken piston.
Angelo Seneci
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