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AUSTRALIAN FORMULA JUNIOR ASSOCIATION Email: afja@iprimus.com.au Executive Committee |
Congratulations to Nick McDonald (Brabham BT2) winner of the coveted AFJA Leo Geoghegan Perpetual Trophy for 2002. Nick acquired the ex Gavin Youl works car 7 years ago, spent many hours and dollars restoring it to the highest standard, and now, after 12 months competition, Nick has achieved an almost perfect score in our series and to date he has 3 Formula Junior lap records to his name.
Early this year the AFJA suggested to CAMS Historic Commission that they produce a paper on what an overseas competitor needs to know when considering racing in Australia. The Commission agreed with our proposal, including the posting of the information on CAMS website.
The AFJA Committee is currently discussing future directions for our organisation, and are yet to resolve what events will be contested next year in our series. Perhaps you would like to contribute your ideas? We would also welcome your opinion at "Wakefield" where you could discuss various possibilities.
Our offer to the AGP Corporation concerning a Formula Junior support race for 2002 was declined. However, they will continue to monitor our progress in future events and may consider a further proposal for 2004.
We have also had discussions with the organiser for the Adelaide Clipsal 500 Event held annually during March on the old GP circuit, but again we need to prove there are sufficient cars with competent drivers to fill a grid.
For some time we have been discussing cross Tasman competition with the Kiwis, and at Eastern Creek we discussed a Junior Tasman series suitable for cars from the Northern Hemisphere. We are also talking to a series sponsor and shipping lines with a degree of success.
The committee is concerned that our grandiose ideas may not be in the best interest of the members. For it would seem that interest in our association should be evidenced by involvement in the AFJA activities, but in a recent survey of the 4 most populous states, only 12% of cars were involved in our series of events this year when 55% were capable of entering.
| Total Cars | Race Ready | Will Race | Raced 2002 | |
| NSW | 34 | 18 | 17 | 4 |
| SA | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Qld | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Vic | 36 | 18 | 9 | 10 |
| 83 | 45 | 35 | 16 |
The position we find ourselves in is a catch (Lotus) 22 situation. Many AFJA members would like to drive their car at high profile events, but to gains acceptance, members need to prove their car is capable. Of course there is always the possibility that these special events will be over subscribed, so who gets the guernsey? Obviously the cars that proved they were reliable.
There are quite a few new cars appearing, and many intend to be involved in 2003. Could this be the year we hold FJ only events? If so we need to double our current entries to have a chance. For those owners who don't intend to participate and may be considering the sale of their much-loved possession, the AFJA will advertise your car worldwide for a membership fee of $30. Also there are several local people who are actively seeking to buy a Formula Junior, so you need to advise if your car is for sale.
RACE REPORT - EASTERN CREEK - ROUND FIVE
Eastern Creek raceway is located west of Sydney NSW and this event is the major annual historic meeting for this state. The circuit is purpose built 3.93 km with anti clockwise racing. The lap record for Formula Junior was established by Simon Pymble in dads BT6 Brabham in 1997 at 1.47.00.
The weekend of September 7 and 8 was dry and mild with strong wind on the Sunday. In total we had 12 cars at the meeting. Dick McArthur Onslow Lotus 20 and Murray Bryden MRC Lotus were also entered but failed to attend.
Nick McDonald (BT2) equaled the under 1500 cc lap record with 1.47.36, just .36 of a second from Simon's best time. Nick will have the correct gears for this circuit next year. Second to Nick was Graham Brown (Lynx) from Qld. His car experienced some early electrical problems, but when rectified proved the car and driver has improved with a 1.50.73 best lap time.
Peter Johnson BT6 continues to improve as he gains more confidence in his new car. Peter achieved 3rd place and improved his lap time by 4 seconds during the weekend. Doug Broadhurst (Penny Ford) drove in regularity events gaining experience in his new car, and John Medley (Nota) having sorted some mechanical problems recently, handed the car to his partner who achieved a consistent 4th place overall and 1st in the early FJ1 Class.
During the weekend the AFJA established a Static Display of Formula Juniors, and besides the cars that were racing, exhibited 4 new cars. Jim Sherringham displayed the near complete Louts 20B ex Geoghegan car, Dean Rainsford SA brought the fully restored Rennmax BN1 ex Max Stewart car, Ken Ward had the very attractive Rennmax BN ex Kinglsey Hibbard FJ and Kelvin Prior his Lynx BMC.
Also in attendance that weekend was Todd Hamilton (Lotus 18), Ian Bailey (Lynx), Colin Haste (BT2), Ed Holly (Elfin & Lotus 20), Frank Hook (T76 Cooper) and Dick Willis (Ausper T3)
Formula Junior cars on display at Eastern Creek. Back row 44 Rennmax BN1, centre row 22 Brabham BT2, 13 Lynx BMC, 37 Rennmax BN1, 71 Lynx Ford, Front Row 5 Elfin, 37 Brabham BT6, Black Lotus 20B, 61 Jolus. Photo courtesy Peter Johnson
LEO GEOGEGAN AND RETIREINVEST PERPETUAL TROPHY FINAL SCORES FOR 2002
EVENTS FOR YEAR 2002
 Retireinvest Perpetual Trophy |
Feb. 22-24 Mar 29/Apr 1 May 25-26 July 27-28 Sept 7-8 Nov 30/31 |
Phillip Island Classic - Vic Mallala Speed Week - SA Historic Winton - Vic Ipswich Historics - Q Eastern Creek - NSW Wakefield Park – NSW |
VHRR SCCSA A7C1 HRCCQ HSRCA HSRCA |
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Owner/Driver |
Car |
Group |
Phillip Island |
Mallala |
Winton | Ipswich | Eastern Creek |
Total |
|
Nick McDonald VIC |
Brabham |
FJ2 |
10 + 10 |
8 + 10 |
10 + 10 | - | 10 + 10 |
78 |
|
Graham Brown QLD |
Lynx |
FJ2# |
6 + 8 |
- |
1 + 0 | 10 + 10 | 8 + 8 |
51 |
| Geoff Fry NSW | Jolus | FJ1# | - | - | 8 + 8 | 10 + 10 | 36 | |
| Peter Johnson NSW | Brabham | FJ2 | - | - | 4 + 4 | 8 + 8 | 6 + 0 | 30 |
|
Wayne Hocking SA |
TAD |
FJ2# |
- |
10 + 0 |
8 + 8 | - |
26 |
|
| John Medley NSW | Nota | FJ1# | 10 + 10 | 20 | ||||
| Peter Cooper NSW | Schazum | FJ1# | - | - | 10 + 10 | - | 20 | |
|
Grant Patullo VIC |
Golford |
FJ2# |
3 + 0 |
- |
6 + 6 | - |
15 |
|
|
Murray Bryden VIC |
MRC Lotus |
FJ2# |
8 + 6 |
- |
14 |
|||
|
Mark Esmore VIC |
Talisman |
FJ2# |
4 + 4 |
- |
8 |
# Denotes Australian built car with points towards the Retireinvest Perpetual Trophy
AUSTRALIAN FJ TROPHY SERIES YEAR 2002
At the end of Round 5 with one to go, and using the best 4 results which no one has exceeded this year, Nick McDonald with 78 points (2 short of the maximum) has won the AFJA Leo Geoghegan Trophy for 2002.
The Retireinvest Trophy for the Best Australian Built Car is yet to be resolved. Graham Brown has 51 points, but could be overtaken by Geoff Fry, who only needs 15 points more than Graham in Round 6 at Wakefield to take the prize.
1963 Rennmax BN1 ex Max Stewart recently restored by current owner Dean Rainsford at Eastern Creek in September
2002 HISTORIC WAKEFIELD PARK - FINAL ROUND OF 2002 TROPHY SERIES
Program:
Voluntary private practice Friday November 29th
Racing Saturday & Sunday November 30th and December 1st
Entries:
Close with the HSRCA on November 1st
To obtain an entry Fax: 02 9948 3025 or email rece@HSRCA.org.au or download
forms from http://www.HSRCA.org.au
Events:
Members cars will gain points in the AFJA Trophy Series from the
results of both scratch races held during the weekend
MOVEMENT AT THE STATION
Word has it that NSW Rep Peter Johnson is forsaking his central Sydney lifestyle for something quite rural next year, and during interrogation he admitted the farm had ample room for cars and trailers, (which is important). It was unfortunate for Peter at Eastern Creek when advised of his father's death after a long illness. Peter was unable to compete in the last event having booked his flight to Queensland to be with family. The committee and members offer their sympathy to Peter and family at this time.
Doug Broadhurst NSW has restored the "Penny Ford" originally built 1963 by David Coode in England to FJ Specs. It is rear engine105E with VW trans., and Doug, who is still tracing the car history, hopes to compete in historic events with Formula Juniors. We the AFJA welcome Doug to our expanding membership.
During some recent library research, a car called Koala raced at Lowood in 1963 as a Formula Junior. It was built and driven by the late John Joyce of Bowin fame. A few calls later the current owner Paul Charel SA states the car is near restored having saved it from the tip. Wow. Welcome Paul to AFJA membership.
You will recall from a previous "Pitstop" the event that caused damage to Brian Pymble's Brabham BT6 when a building fell on it, well the car is being professionally restored and should be completed by years end.
Peter Strauss is looking forward to driving his Brabham BT6 in the near future. This car is ex NZ and has been the subject of a comprehensive rebuild, and who knows, this combination may just give Nick McDonald the competition he needs at the pointy end of the grid.
Mark Poole, who now owns the Elfin FJ prototype is looking to return the car back to FJ Specs, but needs a 1100 cc Ford engine. Can anyone assist?
Another bought and sold formula Junior. Ben Sellers has completed the sale of his Lynx ex Bruce Powell to Howard Tucker of Wagga Wagga NSW. Howard intends to return the car to FJ Specs and we are happy to welcome him to membership of the AFJA.
1963 Rennmax N1 ex Kingsley Hibbard. Car totally restored by 2nd owner Ken Ward and displayed at Eastern Creek
NOTICE BOARD
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For Sale via Secretary Kelvin Prior
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FOR SALE: 109E cylinder Head (non-welded). Modified by Peter Backhouse to suit Formula Junior Special 37-mm inlet and 33 mm exh. Valves. Porsche Springs. 22.5 cc Chambers. Price: $750 ono. Contact: Kelvin Prior (03) 9707 1652
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For Sale: 1962 Nota FJ. Rare one-off prototype
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For Sale: 1061 Schazum BMC A Series Engine 1098 cc VW transmission. Triumph brakes and suspension. Spares includes body mould and short engine. Historic log book and C of D Full history Includes trailer Price: $25,000 Contact: Peter Cooper (02) 6021 5308 A.H. (02) 6021 3274 B.H. 0408 204 432 Mobile |
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For Sale Lotus 18-J-796 105E Holbay Ford 1100 cc engine Gordini transmission fully restored by current owner during past 30 years and very original. Sell or swap for Morgan Contact Todd Hamilton (02) 4446 0720 |
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For Sale 1963 Donford Formula Junior
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