HISTORIC FORMULA JUNIOR

No International Formula has been more truly worldwide than Formula Junior, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2008 with a series of races across the Globe.  The Golden Jubilee World Series is taking place 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].
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 returns there again in 2008 with a fantastic array of front engined cars, recreating the era of the 1959 Grand Prix Monaco Junior. 
Since 1998, Formula Juniors have raced annually at the Goodwood Circuit Revival Meeting and the 2007 FJ race for rear engined drum braked FJ cars, was again one of the most exciting of the 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 Europe there is enormous support for the FIA Lurani Trophy.  Last August there were 50 entries for the FJ race at the Old Timer GP at Nurburgring.
This year, there will be rounds in; the UK [Silverstone Classic & Donington Park], Italy [Mugello and Monza] Germany [Hockenheim and Nurburgring], France [Dijon & Paul Ricard].  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 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 also be racing in 2008 at Pau, Copenhagen, Goodwood Revival Meeting, Angouleme and the Oulton Park Gold Cup in September, as well as special Front engined races at Silverstone, Cadwell Park and  “See Red” Donington Park.


There will also be an opportunity to run Formula Junior’s at full racing speed on the old Nordschleife Grand Prix track at Nurburgring at the end of September.

DCPR