HISTORIC FORMULA JUNIOR

No International Formula has been more truly worldwide than Formula Junior, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2008/2009 with the Golden Jubilee World Series in New Zealand [Pukekohe], Australia [Philip Island], Europe [Monza, Brands Hatch GP and Nurburgring], USA West Coast [Monterey], USA East Coast [Lime Rock], with the grand finale in South Africa [Killarney], the outright winner of the “Topham Trophy” being Ned Spieker of USA (Lola Mk2).
Following another successful year in 2009, Formula Junior cars from Europe will be competing this winter in the FJ Tasman Series in New Zealand; a three race series in South Africa; and were due to be racing at the new Historic Meeting at the fantastic Abu Dhabi circuit, until the Dubai financial crisis intervened.
 
From 1958 to 1963 Formula Junior replaced the motorcycle engined 500 cc F3 cars as the stepping-stone to Formula 1.  It was the brainchild of Italian Count 'Johnny' Lurani and provided for 1.0 or 1.1 litre production engines, and gearboxes in mini Grand Prix chassis.  In its short 6 years, the design span covered the major progression of racing car evolution from ladder frame front-engined cars, through space frame cars with proprietary suspension like the Alexis HF1 [still raced today by FJHRA Co-ordinator Duncan Rabagliati], rear engined spaceframe's such as the Coopers, to the full monocoque of the Lotus 27.
Jim Clark, John Surtees, Jochen Rindt, Mike Spence, Graf Wolfgang Von Trips, Gerhard Mitter, Lorenzo Bandini and Giancarlo Baghetti were amongst the G.P. Stars who formulated their careers in FJ. Races were run from Estonia to Australia, Macao to Cuba, with hundreds of cars competing regularly across USA and East and Western Europe.

In 1975, Formula Junior was the first past formula to be revived as an historic series.  The Formula Junior Historic Racing Association ("FJHRA") was established in 1993.  In 1995, the FIA Lurani Trophy for FJ cars became the first FIA Championship to be run by its own organisation.  In 1997 the Formula Juniors first raced at Monaco and it was one of the closest races of the day and FJ have been regular competitors there since that time with a fantastic array of beautiful cars, recreating the era of the 1959-1963 era of Grand Prix Monaco Junior. 
Since 1998, Formula Juniors have raced annually at the Goodwood Circuit Revival Meeting and the 2010 FJ race is scheduled for rear engined drum braked FJ cars; the 2009 race for front engined cars was won by Derek Walker’s Terrier T4 and was one of the most exciting races ever held at the revival weekend.

FJ races are currently held on a regular basis in Australia, New Zealand and USA, and FJ are included in the winter races in South Africa.   In 2010, Formula Junior will be a prominent part of the HMP Historic Series in USA and Canada; and FJ will again have its own race at Monterey in August.

 In Europe there is enormous support for the FIA Lurani Trophy. In 2010, there will be rounds in the UK [Brands Hatch Superprix], Italy [Imola] Germany [Hockenheim and Nurburgring], France [Dijon] and Belgium [Spa Francorchamps].  The 2007 championship ended in a nail biting finish at Magione in October with the two leading contenders, Robin Longdon (Lola Mk2), [who brings “Millers Oils” sponsorship to the Formula Junior UK Championship], and California USA resident John Delane not only ending the day on equal points but actually crossing the finishing line together in both heats.  In 2009, a neck to neck contest in the early rounds between Dan Collins (Team Lotus 18) and Brendan Roberts (Lola Mk2) eventually ended in Dan’s favour for overall victory, with Brendan Roberts taking a Class win.

In all Championship races there are 5 FJ categories, which score points equally;

Class A; FJ/1-F    -    pre 1961 front engined with FIAT and Lancia engines

Class B; FJ/1-F     -   pre 1961 front engined with Ford , BMC and other engines

Class C; FJ/1-R    -   pre 1961 rear engined

Class D; FJ/2        -   post 1960 front and rear engined-drum brakes  

Class E; FJ/2        -   post 1960 front and rear engined-disc brakes

Formula Junior will be racing in 2010 at the Silverstone Classic, Goodwood Revival Meeting, the ‘Superleague Formula’ meeting at Brands Hatch GP circuit and the Oulton Park Gold Cup in August,  as well as special Front engined races at Silverstone, Cadwell Park,  Mallory Park and  Snetterton.