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FIA Lurani Trophy Round 6 - Jerez Report

12th - 13th October 2013

Well the prophets of doom claimed that a race so far from Potters Bar would never attract enough entries – they reckoned without ;
a. The attraction of a "double header" with Portimao
b. The attraction of racing on a modern Grand Prix track
c. Free Hotel nights
d. 25 degrees C in October
And so it was that we had 30 cars in qualifying with drivers from 12 different countries.
Dave Methley in his familiar Brabham dominated practice – clear of Tommaso Gelmini's Branca and Roberto Tonetti in one of the family BT6s.
Lurani Title contenders Andrew Tart and John Delane topped their respective classes in Bond and Lotus 18. The other Lurani contender - James Owen qualified 3rd in the Elva 200.

Race 1
Winning a Formula Junior race is never ever easy but Dave Methley made it look so – winning by 17 seconds and lapping comfortably faster than 2nd place Roberto Tonetti.
Third place saw a great battle between John Fyda, Joao Paulo Campos Costa's immaculate Lola Mk5 and John Dowson going as never before in his familiar Brabham BT2 – Philipp Buhofer Lola Mk5a was in this battle before a quick spin dropped him back.
Andrew Tart comfortably won the B2 class keeping his title aspirations afloat – second spot in this class was hotly disputed between Bob Birrell and Gil Duffy whose Bond had recently been upgraded to 1098cc from its previous B1 class – Bob led this battle dodging around other cars but eventually Gil found a way by.

Interesting finishers were – the long absent Martin Walford, Anthony Nobles from USA in a BRM liveried Lotus 22, Martin Aubert from Argentina in his Lotus 20 and Francesco Baldanza in another Brabham BT6.

Race 2
Race 2 again saw Dave Methley disappear well clear of second placed Tommaso Gelmini – sadly, Roberto Tonetti badly damaged the family Brabham against the unyielding barrier on the first lap. This time 3rd place was hotly contested by Martin Walford, Mark Pangborn and John Dowson who finished closely in that order.
Andrew Tart again won the B2 class with some ease – Birrell and Duffy resumed their enjoyable dice – sadly Duffy spun to avoid another spinning competitor and damaged the immaculate Bond against the barrier – the story of its epic repair before Portimao would fill a book – or a FJHRA newsletter at least.
Combined Results
Dave Methley obviously won comfortably after a great drive followed by John Dowson, John Fyda and Joao Paulo Campos.
The class results had a significant bearing on the Lurani Championship.
Andrew Tart gained full marks in B2 from Bob Birrell.
Aussi visitor Kim Shearn won C2 easing former multiple Lurani Champ John Delane into 2nd in C2 with James Owen 3rd

Conclusions – A well run meeting – with a , shall we say relaxed attitude by officialdom – no officious regulating of paddock areas – plenty of room for all with spacious pits and no need for tentage.
Jerez is a picturesque and interesting city – our allocated hotel was perfect.
The circuit itself was challenging in a modern idiom but with plenty of quick corners and mostly plenty of run off.
Worth another visit? Certainly, especially as part of a Double Header with Portimao.

Lt Col Bob Birrell