The sudden cancellation – and then reinstatement of our UK Championship overseas rounds lost us a few cars – Alex Morton went to Spa to drive his Lotus 21 instead of the Ausper, and 2004 Charade veteran Bill Grimshaw had made other plans, but instead came Championship leader Jon Milicevic (Cooper T59) fresh from Goodwood, to do battle with continental veteran, Urs Eberhardt (Lotus 27) while Erik Justesen came from Denmark with his U2 Mk2, and John Arnold was a very late addition with Justin Fleming’s Elva 100/27 in 1 litre guise.

Duncan and Mair stayed en route with Eddie and Maguy Crame, Belgian period 500 Cooper-Norton (ex-Paul Swaelens) and Lotus 18 driver in their beautiful forest house surrounded by 20 hectares of woodland, south of Orleans, learning how the Italians resented the rear engine, Lotus’ and Coopers in 1961, and how poor Eddie ended up upside down in his 18 at Cessenatico in 1961 after being tipped up by a Stanguellini.  Others who arrived early in Clermont-Ferrand enjoyed an amazing gustation at Hotel Radio.

 Everyone had arrived in the hot sunshine in time for a dedicated ‘free’ practice for Formula Junior on Friday afternoon. Jon Milicevic, only just, as he had been laid low by a ‘school’ bug from one of his young children but SAT NAV saved the day. No times, but everyone had a good run, except George Cooper (Cooper T59) whose battery failed and Peter Anstiss who found a broken chassis, fortunately welded up by John Arnold and Tony Simmons.  Poor Duncan’s bad luck continued, and a half shaft broke on his last lap – fortunately Erik Justesen had spares, as his Mallock U2 and Alexis HF1 were supposed to be identical in that respect but sadly it was not to be.

A large party gathered in Royat for a truly French meal – frog’s legs and huîtres being some of the selected choices. Those with repairs to effect made an early start on Saturday– a very lengthy briefing was taken in good heart, and all except Duncan assembled for practice, only Patrick Morin (Mk IX Cooper –JAP) tailing the field to avoid a stop and unnecessary push start.  Jon Milicevic ended just ahead, after a shortened session, still troubled by the mysterious misfire, but at least at this stage Urs was not far behind, having taken part in almost every available mixed session, as well, on Thursday.  Christian Cane (Lotus 22) was pleased in 3rd spot, well ahead of the remaining class E cars of Kim Shearn (Lotus 20/22), Peter Anstiss (Lotus 20/22) – who had omitted to reconnect his roll bar, perhaps diverted by the weekend events at BAE, so was expecting better for the race, and Brian Mitcham (’63 Wainer), very smart after it’s post rebuild Goodwood debut. Poor Justin didn’t even complete a lap before a wheel fell off – sheared hub again.  Bill Hemming (Elfin) led Class D, and Erik Justesen (U2 Mk2) the leading front engined runner.

Race 1 was on Saturday evening, still warm and sunny – Duncan and Justin were absent, but the rest lined up in order behind the pits, with Patrick Morin starting with a push start from there as the field departed – actually a lap behind, as it was third time lucky before we got him away! Jon led Urs but Urs was catching, and half way, Urs caught him napping and was in the lead;  - but not for long, and Jon then lengthened his lead as Urs tired on this very twisty and demanding circuit. Poor Christian Cane (Lotus 22) had made a very bad start and was even behind Patrick Jamin (Boyer 600) for awhile.  Kim Shearn (Lotus 20/22) was third with Peter Anstiss catching, and Peter just succeeding in taking him on the penultimate lap.  Brian Mitcham’s attractive Wainer slipped back behind Jamin, as his brakes disappeared, but just held off Tony Simmons (BT6).  Heinz Stege (Elva 100) broke off his gear lever on the second lap: poor reward after all the effort of changing the dropbox after practice.  Jeremy Bouckley (Cooper T56), tended by Peter Denty, held steady ahead of Erik and Anthony Goddard’s Tojeiro.  George Cooper (Cooper T59) was having a good run, until the engine tightened up with suspected run bearings, and Jon Gross’s day was ended when he too lost a wheel in the Mk 1 Envoy.  Patrick Morin (Cooper-JAP Mk XI) was a delighted finisher, only dropping two more laps to the flying Milicevic.

Podium prizes greeted the top 3 – and Phoebe Rolt as the first lady – after all, this is France where every lady competitor had star against their name in the entry – and results sheets!

With much organisation from Justin Fleming and Mair and Nicole Morin, a splendid barbeque for all FJ competitors and teams was arranged in the paddock – everyone attended without exception; starting before 7 it was well near 11 before the coals lay silent.

Sunday morning and Justin and Jon Arnold were up early to switch the ‘good’ hub from 100/27 to 100/42, to give Justin a ride for Race 2 – all successfully completed without problems.  All the front runners were ready to go, but Jon Gross (wheel), George Cooper (engine) and Anthony Goddard (saving the Tojeiro for Dijon and Imola) were new absentees, but Stege and the Elfin, after only one lap in race 1 with float chamber problems, were back, fully recovered, while Patrick Jamin attracted much interest from French TV, starting up the Cooper Mk XI.

This time Jon Milicevic made no bones about it, and Urs was visibly slower.  Christian Cane made a much better start, and looked and sounded fast, but as the race went on, Anstiss began to catch, after getting clear of Kim Shearn.  Christian was having problems, and with a lap to go, he was definitely slowing, leaving Anstiss and then Shearn to pass, and Christian stopping just across the line, only just keeping ahead of Tony Simmons (Brabham BT6) from 5th place – and pushed back up the pit lane for some TV interviews! – Brian Mitcham’s Wainer was an early pit visitor – still with no brakes.

Bill Hemming had an excellent race in the Elfin ahead of all the drum braked cars, but still behind Patrick Jamin’s little Boyer “500”, Erik Justesen held the front engined lead – but only just – Justin Fleming made up ground from the rear of the grid, but frustratingly could not find a way past Jeremy Bouckley (Cooper T56) who was behind Erik. Heinz Stege, too, had a good run, with Phoebe trailing the FJ’s.  Having covered a remarkable 2 practices and 2 races, Patrick Morin’s little 500 ran out of methanol just across the finishing line, but was beaming after his weekend’s efforts.
All class winners got a spot on the (crowded) podium this time, and Jean Paul Couilliot was visibly delighted at having had the Junior’s at Charade this year.

DCPR