This year has seen a lot of new friends joining Formula Junior and new restorations emerging – it’s time to have a review of some of the stories.
Bob Birrell will be back next year in his front engined Lola Mk 2, ex David Pratley, while his BT6, somewhat hors de combat after Goodwood, has gone to Dave Methley – at last tempted to cross the threshold into FJ. Mark and Cyril Linstone have repaired the chassis frame, and it’s back with Dave – hopefully to be all together in time for an Antipodean FJ trip this winter.  Meanwhile, Chris Drake’s BT6, a very original Swiss car, ex Silvio Moser, will be raced next year by young E.Type Jaguar ace, Jonathon Hughes from East Yorkshire, while Chris has the occasional outing again in his drum braked Elva 300, with which he managed to outperform many a disc braked rival.  The other Elva 300, being restored by FJHRA treasurer, and Sadler FJ owner, Stephen Bulling is making good progress.
Also up in Yorkshire, Andrew Thorpe, flush with the success of his mobile toilet business, made his FJ debut at the Silverstone Finals in 2011, in his ex-USA Lotus 20, while the ‘22’ that he acquired from the Edward Finn estate is already in more correct Lotus 51 guise while his other Lotus 22 x-USA may be readied as a FJ for his son, his March 703 being on the point of being sold. Andrew is looking to take on a number of FIA Lurani rounds in Europe, and will have room for up to 3 other FJ’s in his truck – on a shared cost basis only.  Also up North, on the west this time, John Sykes already has the ex-Denis Welch Merlyn Mk5/7, and regularly imports cars from the USA, which have included son Adam’s Lotus 20, and others for his TR Bitz business: now he has found the remains of a Merlyn Mk2 front engined FJ, which is currently being resurrected by Clive Hayward at Merlyn’s – luckily they still have the original plans, and a spare original drop box.
Michael Waller has some beautiful facilities, hence the perfect restoration of the 1960 Kieft and the PM Poggi FJ’s – now the unique Hillwood-FIAT front engined FJ, acquired from Lou Pavesi in the USA, is nearing completion and the race ready car will be on show on the HSCC/FJHRA stand at Race Retro in February 2012.  Michael’s stable is completed by son Ash’s Sadler.
Also now a four car FJ owner, Kevin Musson has acquired the Dolphin-Ford front engined FJ from Richard Parkin, also the previous owner of his Lola Mk3 – these join Kevin’s familiar Lotus 18 and his other restoration project, a Lotus 20.
Robin Longdon, our ‘agent’ for “Millers” sponsor, has only 3 FJ Lola’s, but they are complimented by an original Mk1 Sports Car, one of only 35 built.  The Mk2 and Mk5A FJ’s have been supplemented by the Mk3, long time lying in distressed circumstances in France.  The rebuild is already well advanced.
Tony Pearson, yes, he of Chutney fame, has the Bandini, but son Mike is restoring the ex-Ed Glaister Gemini MkII: progress is now assured as Mike has moved house, now with a double garage, leaving plenty of room for both road car and FJ – there are hard winters in deepest Lincolnshire, and for nipping out in the evening to work – the Gemini.
More multi-car FJ ownership at Stoke Poges – Andrew Taylor still has Britannia B3, and lately has been racing the Envoy which his father-in-law, Peter Green restored.  Andrew is not a small man, and the new FIA rules on ROPS have dictated a sale of this very desirable car, while Andrew will be taking on the Cooper T56, ex David Stevenson, Ken Collins, which has been comprehensively rebuilt by Peter, leaving Peter more time to complete the rebuild of Fafnir 1, while Fafnir 2 has arrived with Walter Hayes Trophy organiser, James Beckett.
Over in Italy, Franco Beolchi has had a year off racing his Apache-FIAT Mk1, and has been restoring Milt Brown’s recently discovered Apache BMC Mk2.  Franco will be racing this car instead in 2012.
In Switzerland, there is a two way movement – Marcel Schaub has at last sold the 63 De Tomaso Ford ‘monocoque’ 055 to Westie Mitchell, another one on our ‘wish list’ to join FJ.  All complete, but plenty of work to reassemble in race ready condition.  Luckily Westie is a perfect fit for the little car.
In contrast, Andrew Wilkinson’s Cooper T59 has gone to Felix Haas in St Gallen, Switzerland, while James Young was tossing up between Simon Armer’s T59 and David Crowther’s “beautiful” Lotus 22 – the latter finally being preferred choice to quote James “I have recently retired from being a Chassis Design/Development  Engineer (most recently with Aston Martin and Jaguar) and  the challenge to develop this Lotus 22 (and its new driver)  to compete with the established teams proved to be the deciding factor. I can assure you that our team will try very hard to enter into the ethos and general atmosphere created by the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association.  Indeed it is this environment that attracted us to Formula Junior in the first place.”
There was much interest in the Prior FJ project, although reality gradually dawned on many a prospective acquirer – however Andrew Tart has taken the plunge and I am sure it will be a fascinating addition to the UK Class E field one day.
As Christmas and the New Year draw close there is currently stirring interest from buyers in Germany, France and Portugal, as well as from some more current HGPCA and HFO drivers looking to “double up”. Already the mystery Lotus 20 “001/901” of Brad Gelles in the USA has found a home in France, and the Erwin Van Gelder Lotus 20/22 is set for a Lurani season next year with Peter Laier from Germany.
We will post a Spring update on later developments before the 2012 season begins.

DCPR