Warm sunny weather greeted a full grid of Lurani Formula Juniors at Hockenheim, only Duncan’s Alexis and Bruno Ferrari’s Branca being absent with engine rebuilds uncompleted after Monza, but, as if from heaven, an incredible restoration had been carried out on the body of both Jan Biekens and the Stanguellini!! Dan Setford had rebuilt the whole front of the chassis, Keith Roach had beaten the Stanguellini back into shape as only he can, and Jan and his physiotherapist had been getting him back into racing form.
Three “free” practice sessions on Thursday, with one reserved solely for FJ and HF2 gave plenty of chance to shake cars down, with qualifying following on Friday. The timing screen failed, which appeared to upset Pierre Tonetti’s rhythm, and it was Scotsman John Fyda (Lotus 22) who came out on top with Pierre one-tenth of a second behind, and Urs Eberhardt (Lotus 27) first time out this year just behind, - surprise 4th spot however was the drum braked Lotus 20 of Chris Chilcott, locking up as he braked hard for the Stadium hairpin, wonderful to see Arlette  Müller out in the ex-Hans Jochem Durstewitz’ Lotus 22 slowly improving her times, and a very neat penultimate lap which shot her up the grid. Alessandra Ripamonti broke a rocker in the Giannini BT6, while Championship leader Daniele Salodini (Taraschi) was fortunate to qualify at all completing only one timed lap with electrical problems. But star performer was Jan Biekens, fastest in Class A, ahead of Guido di Egidio, back in his own yellow Stanguellini after changing the gearbox after free practice, Leo Schildkamp making his debut after a 5 year restoration of the ex-Marco Milanese Lancia-Dagrada 001 – Leo hasn’t raced for 20 years since his F2 Tecno and before that he owned the Widi sports car, before selling it to Stirling Moss when Stirling first started Historic Motor racing. The Dagrada restoration is certainly equal to the standard that Michael Waller has achieved with the P.M.Poggi – superb! Finally of note, an interesting winter swap now sees Olaf Strauch in the ex-Klaus Göckmann green Stanguellini and Klaus in the ex-Olaf Cooper BMC T59 with a real original Jack Knight Citroen/ERSA gearbox #50 – running only 1000cc. The only casualty was Peter Knöfel’s Emeryson, an oil pipe broke,and with oil pressure plummeting, he wisely decided not to risk the engine.
Warm weather continued on Saturday for Race 1. Tonetti was ahead from the start, and that’s the way is stayed, but John Fyda and Urs Eberhardt were not far adrift throughout, though back markers, well behaved as they were, inevitably spread the gap.
Chris Chilcott lay an excellent 4th in the drum braked Lotus 20 before giving way to Philipp Buhofer (Lola Mk5A) and Erwin Van Gelder (Lotus 20/22). Philipp, then Erwin spun, as did Chris later, the latter falling to the back of a big group, so Tommaso Gelmini  (Branca) took a well deserved 4th, from a recovered Erwin and Philipp making ground over Marc Amez-Droz (Brabham BT6) with Pete Morton (Lightning Envoyette) holding rearguard of this group.  John Delane (Lotus 18) and Ivo Göckmann (Jolus) had a race long battle until the Jolus spun at the hairpin, although he was right on John’s tail again by the end. Richard Smeeton in his newly acquired maroon Wainer and a really nimble Arlette were the only other unlapped runners, after ‘Dad’ – Urs, went straight on into the gravel in the Sachs Curve on the last lap and John Dowson stopped out on the circuit with fuel starvation.  Salodini still had problems with the Taraschi and Biekens took the yellow Stanguellini on the last lap, while behind, the Dagrada of Schildkamp and Strauss both circulated consistently.
Longdon, Justesen and Chisholm were together for a while in the front engined battle, with Robin easing ahead leaving Chisholm right behind the U2 at the flag.
Ripamonti retired with low fuel pressure and the Swebe/Cooper  - in need of a full rebuild- faltered after 3 laps.
Race 2
Sunday was even sunnier – As the cars lined up, poor Arlette was pushed away – her new battery had failed – the red lights were off, and it was Tonetti again – Fyda clawed back the gap mid race, but it was 4s @ the flag – But behind, what a race to enjoy. Van Gelder got by Eberhardt and held it for much of the race, but Urs nibbled at the Sachs Curve, and was ahead – Van Gelder then ran into the gravel coming up into the stadium next time and was lucky to rejoin, but Urs did it himself a lap later in the Mercedes Curve, so the consistent Jens Rauschen (Lotus 22) took the 3rd podium place, Van Gelder managed to grab 4th from Tommaso Gelmini (Branca) with Eberhardt a fraction behind. Pete Morton got by Chris Chilcott for 8th, Amez-Droz (Brabham BT6) Ripamonti (Giannini BT6) and Richard Smeeton, enjoying the Wainer, ran like a train, but Ripamonti squeezed by on lap 9.  Another great dice again involved John Delane and Ivo Göckmann, Ivo just holding on at the flag.  Robin Longdon (Lola Mk2) was again the leading front engine, although he stopped with a holed radiator on the slowing down lap, to join Andrew Tart in a clutchless Bond in the outfield.  John Chisholm pitted early,with a broken steering wheel bracket, so it was a delighted Justin Fleming (Elva 100) in 3rd spot, behind Erik Justesen’s U2. The remarkable Biekens just held off the yellow Stanguellini of Guido di Egidio for the Italian Class, but Olaf Strauch was in the frame until lappery left him loose behind.  It was a great safe race with 28 of the 31 starters taking the flag.

DCPR