PITSTOP

SUMMER 2004/2005 EDITION - NUMBER 29

The decision by committee to hold the AGM at Goulburn in conjunction with our Final Round of the Trophy Series at Wakefield Park in November was totally vindicated. 43 members and guests enjoyed an excellent night with dinner and Guest Speaker in a private meeting Room of the Goulburn Soldiers Club.

The main discussion of the evening was regarding proposed events for the 2005 Trophy Series, and it was clear the members present supported a proposal by Don Thallon for an extra event in Queensland. The Morgan Park circuit at Warwick is apparently suited to Formula Junior cars, and the committee are endeavoring to arrange an invitation for the end of April 2005 HRCC Historic Meeting.

At Wakefield, during the weekend, there was a sense of excitement about those Formula Junior cars that had captured all the limelight. Leo Geoghegan drove demonstration laps in Ed Holly's Lotus 20 on Sunday during lunch. David McKay of Scuderia Veloce fame addressed the crowd, and our guests Greg and Dorothy Cusack were part of the hype, as was Charlie Smith who originally raced the ex Matich Elfin in the early sixties.

During the events on Sunday, the committee had a professional cameraman at the circuit to obtain footage of our cars in competition. This together with further footage from an in car camera will be processed to form a promotional CD for members, and other organizations wishing to view our performance.

At Wakefield members proved that Formula Junior could produce sufficient cars to form a race grid. The test now is to see if the enthusiasm will flow into 2005. In the meantime enjoy Christmas and family, and make sure the car is ready for Phillip Island.

KELVIN C. PRIOR SECRETARY/TREASURER AFJA

Midfield dicing at Wakefield. Ed Holly (Lotus20), Wayne Wilson (Donford), Roger Ealand (Lotus 18), Dennis Neal (Lynx BMC), Dick McArthur-Onslow (Lotus 20B), Geoff Fry (Jolus)

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VHRR PHILLIP ISAND CLASSIC 2005

ROUND ONE AFJA TROPHY SERIES

PROGRAM: Voluntary private practice on Friday 25th February Racing Saturday and Sunday 26th & 27th February

EVENTS: 3 races possibly split start with Formula Ford, 2 of which will count towards AFJA Trophy Series

ENTRIES: To obtain an entry phone Sandra Caffin (03) 9744 1807 or email Caffin @alphalink.com.au Entries close 31st January 2005.

DISPLAY: Cars not competing are required for the AFJA Static Display in the pit area. Please contact Secretary Kelvin for arrangements.

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25TH MALLALA ALL HISTORIC 2005

ROUND 2 OF AFJA TROPHY SERIES

PROGRAM: Voluntary private practice on Friday25th March Racing Saturday and Sunday 26th & 27th March Also Colliningrove Hill Climb Monday 28th March

ACCOMMODATION: Most entrants including the local's camp at the circuit Friday & Saturday nights.

EVENTS: Depending on numbers and subject to our request, it is possible there could be FJ only races, but we need at least 10 cars.

ENTRIES: To obtain an entry form contact the Meeting secretary Joan Shearer (08) 8390 1609. Entries close 2nd March 2005

HOSPITALITY: The Sporting Car Club of SA provide the best social event on our calendar, with a formal dinner at their club on Thursday, Saturday evening BBQ with band at the circuit and Sunday breakfast in the pits.

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Close competition at Wakefield between Dennis Neal (LynxBMC), leading Roger Ealand (Lotus 18), Ian Bailey (Lynx), Geoff Fry (Jolus), and partially obscured Wayne Wilson (Donford) and Peter Johnson (Brabham BT6).

Excellent cornering display at Wakefield by leading driver Jonathan Williamson (Lotus 22) on the inside of Don Thallon (Cooper T56)

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TORQUE AROUND THE PITS

Dick Willis has recently purchased Lynx 103 from Bernie Leimeister in Qld. And is well advanced in restoring it to original condition when Don Lapham owned the car in the early sixties.

For sometime we have endeavored to trace the ex John Ampt Ausper T403 in Victoria, and through an English connection, we have recently traced the car back to the UK where it was shipped in 1972 by the then owner Andy Macgregor.

Alan Conway from Qld. recently purchased the ex Max Williams MK3 Gemini No. 7 from Peter Robertson. Alan plans to contest our Trophy Series in 2005. Welcome Alan to membership of the AFJA.

Chairman Ian Bailey S.C. has gained further distinction in his occupation of Barrister at Law. Recently, he was recognized and awarded Senior Council status (i.e. Queens Council) and Head of Chambers. Congratulations Ian.

Roger Ealand (Lotus 18) is well advanced in creating a new engine for his car, and now that the old one has expired at Wakefield, we can expect a degree of urgency with the project.

Jonathan Williamson our resident Englishman from WA has stated that following his successful mission to pillage and plunder our trophy from we in the antipodes during 2004 he has made arrangements to defend the title in 2005 and hopefully gain more loot to boot.

David Reid (Cooper T59) ran out of time in the restoration of his car that he hoped to debut at Wakefield in Novembers, and provided there and no major hiccups he expects the maiden voyage (race) will be Phillip Island in February 2005.

 

Geoff Medley finished the restoration just in time for Wakefield. The car is the 1960 Nota FJ # 27 originally driven by Joe Bosworth in the 60's 

1960 MK3 Gemini Ch7 originally owned and raced by Max Williams in the UK, and seen here at Wakefield courtesy of new owner Alan Conway

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OVERSEAS NEWS

The final results of the 2004 UK Formula Junior Championship Series over 14 events, and sponsored by Millers Oils were recently announced.

UK champion Edwin Jowsey at 19 years of age won the series in a Lotus 22 from a total field of 91 contestants, 13 of whom used two cars to achieve their results.

The World Formula Junior Championship, correctly known as the FIA Lurani Trophy, with 8 events throughout Europe in 2004, was won by Kevin Musson UK driving a Lotus 18. There were 97 contestants from all over the globe, including Australian Jarrah Venables who represented his country in the Nota FJ.

During February each year, car clubs from the South Island of NZ combine to produce the Southern Fest rival of Speed over 4 consecutive weekends, and in 2005 the following events will be held.

Ruapuna Park Circuit - Christchurch, February 5/6 
Teretonga Park Circuit - Invergargill, February 12/13 
Levels Raceway - Timaru, February 19 
Dunedin Hill Climb and Street Race, February 26/27

Entry forms available from Secretary Kelvin.

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RACE REPORT - WAKEFIELD - FINAL ROUND SIX

Wakefield Park near Goulburn is 200 km south of Sydney and ideally located to the majority of members. Hence 20 Formula Juniors were entered for the weekend which is an Australian record. There were a further 2 Lynx cars on Static Display in the pits belonging to Kelvin Prior and Howard Tucker.

Due to the improved number of cars, the organizers arranged 4 Formula Junior only events, and their confidence was repaid with excellent competition between these cars of similar performance.

The first 9 lap scratch race on Saturday was won by Jonathan Williamson (Lotus 22) after Murray Bryden was penalized a minute for a starting infringement. During the race Graham Brown (Brabham BT@) returned to the pits having misread the trackside penalty notice for Murray, which earned him a DNF. Graham was heard afterwards muttering under his breath "Not happy Jan".

The second scratch race held on Sunday over 7 laps was won by Murray Bryden. (MRC) whose best lap time was 3 seconds faster than Jonathan Williamson (Lotus 22) who was obviously pacing his efforts to win the series, and with the temperature over 30 deg. C all contestants were concerned about keeping car and driver as cool as possible.

Dennis Neal (Lynx) was disappointed when he broke a half shaft at the starting grid, as was Roger Ealand (Lotus 18) who broke a CAM follower at 10,000 rpm approx., and Peter Struass (Brabham BT6) with broken valve springs at possibly 12,000 rpm. John Medley (Nota) lubricated the track when his cars sump contacted an obstruction off circuit, and Ken Ward (Rennmax) would be very disappointed with his engine misfire.

It was interesting to witness the inter action between AFJA members when they realized they had achieved one of their goals regarding FJ only events, and to see the grin widen during the weekend as they experienced the thrill of equal competition.

Formula Juniors lined up on dummy grid prior to racing at Wakefield

 

Leading Formula Juniors in close company at Wakefield. Murray Bryden (MRC Lotus) leads Graham Brown (Brabham BT2), ahead of Frank Hook (Cooper F3), Don Thallon (Cooper T56), Pieter Boel (Lola MK5A) Peter Johnson (Brabham BT6)

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RACE REPORT - WINTON RACEWAY - ROUND FIVE

The Winton Historic Festival was held on the long circuit during October 2/3 with ideal racing weather. The circuit is 200 km north of Melbourne in rural Victoria, and ideally suited to Formula Junior where our 9 entrants were combined with 7 Formula Fords for the weekend.

Jonathan Williamson WA drove his Lotus 22 to first position in both Trophy Series events. Graham Brown Qld. (Brabham BT2) had fuel pump problems in race one, but really pushed his car in the 2nd trying to catch Jonathan. Dick Willis (Ausper) had problems and stopped in the 1st race because of oil on exhaust. Peter Johnson (Brabham BT6) went market gardening, John Medley (Nota) sheared LHR wheel studs and Geoff Fry (Jolus) had engine misfire all weekend. Peter Strauss (Brabham BT6) improved lap times considerably, and looks more comfortable in this car.

In summary, the weekend was a mixed bag of results with most needing to address some mechanical problem. However, everyone seemed to enjoy the competition and the Saturday night dinner.

John Medley in his Nota BMC at Winton Raceway entering the circuit from the dummy grid.

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EVENTS FOR 2005 TROPHY SERIES

Aon  Perpetual Trophy

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7

Feb 25-27 March 26-27 April 30-31 Aug 6-7 Sept 9-11 Oct 1-2 Nov 26-27

Phillip Island, Vic  Mallala Historic, SA Morgan Park HRCC, Qld Ipswich Historic, Qld Eastern Creek, NSW  Winton Festival, Vic Wakefield,  NSW

Leo Geoghegan  Perpetual Trophy

 

AFJA AND RETIRENVEST TROPY SERIES CURRENT SCORES FOR 2004

Driver	Car	Group	Phillip Island	Mallala	Ipswich	E/Creek	Winton	Wakefield	Total
Jonathan Williamson WA	Lotus 22	FJ2	6 + 8	10 + 8	-	(8 + 1)	10 + 10	10 + 8	70
Graham Brown Qld	BT2	FJ2	-	4 + 4	10 + 10	10 + 10	6 + 8	(1 + 2)	62
Don Thallon Qld	T56	FJ1	-	-	10 + 10	-	-	10 + 10	40
Wayne Wilson NSW	Donford	FJ2#	-	6 + 6	6 + 6	-	-	8 + 6	38
Terry Perkins	Lotus 18	FJ1	-	-	8 + 6	10 + 10	-	-	34
Geoff Fry NSW	Jolus	FJ1#	-	-	4 + 4	-	8 + 8	3 + 4	32
Pieter Boel Qld	Lola 5 A	FJ2	-	-	8 + 8	-	-	6 + 4	26
Peter Johnson NSW	BT6	FJ2	-	-	-	6 + 8	1 + 4	4 + 3	26
Dick McArthur-Onslow NSW	Lotus	FJ1	-	-	-	8 + 8	-	4 + 6	26
Peter Strauss Vic	BT6	FJ2	0 + 6	3 + 3	-	-	8 + 6	-	26
Dick Willis NSW	Ausper	FJ1	-	-	6 + 8	-	1 + 10	-	26
Murray Bryden Vic	MRC	FJ2#	10 + 0	1 + 1	-	-	-	3 + 10	25
Dennis Neal NSW	Lynx	FJ1#	-	-	-	6 + 6	-	6 + 0	18
Ian Ashford SA	Tad	FJ2#	-	8 + 10	-	-	-	-	18
Robin Longdon UK	Lola 5 A	FJ2	8 + 10	-	-	-	-	-	18
Ed Holly NSW	Lotus 20	FJ1	-	-	-	-	-	8 + 8	16
John Medley NSW	Nota	FJ1#	-	-	-	-	10 + 0	1 + 0	11
Ken Ward NSW	Rennmax	FJ2#	0 + 4	-	-	1 + 0	-	-	5
Ian Bailey NSW	Lynx	FJ2#	-	-	-	-	-	2 + 1	3
Doug Bradhurst NSW	Pennyford	FJ2	-	-	-	-	-	1 + 1	2
Roger Ealand NSW	Lotus 18	FJ1	-	-	-	-	-	1 + 0	1
Frank Hook Vic.	Cooper	F3	-	-	-	-	Position	4 & 7

# Denotes Australian built car with points towards the Retireinvest Perpetual Trophy.

( ) Score not included. Best of 4 scores are only applicable.

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AUSTRALIAN FORMULA JUNIOR TROPHY SERIES YEAR 2004 IN REVIEW

The final round of the series at Wakefield Park NSW in November had 20 cars entered from 4 different states in Australia, and both Perpetual Trophies were decided during the weekend.

Jonathan Williamson our WA resident from the UK contested 5 of the 6 rounds in his Lotus 22, and after deleting points from his worst result, had sufficient points to win the series and receive the coveted AFJA Leo Geoghegan Perpetual Trophy for 2004.

Graham Brown Qld. BT2 Brabham had problems in both races at Wakefield allowing his only rival to secure the trophy, and he achieved a credible 2nd place.

The AFJA trophy was presented to Jonathan on the Sunday at Wakefield by Leo Geoghegan, and in accepting his award paid tribute to his team from Penrite who made it possible for him to fly from WA for each event.

Wayne Wilson NSW driving the Donford won the Retireinvest Trophy for the best Australian built car in the series. Next year this trophy will be renamed the Aon Trophy thanks to the generosity of Geoff Fry.

The main purpose of the AFJA Trophy Series is to encourage participation by members, and it should be noted that both Jonathan and Graham contested 5 of the scheduled 6 events. Also more, that half of the entries during the year travelled interstate to compete.

Leo Geoghegan, winner of Australian FJ Championship race in 1963 presents the AFJA Perpetual Trophy to Jonathan Williamson winner of the 2004 Australian Series for Formula Juniors 

Wayne Wilson winner of the Retireinvest Trophy for the best Australian built car during 2004

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NOTICE BOARD

For Sale via Secretary Kelvin Prior AFJA caps including postage $30 AFJA polo shirt including postage $35 AFJA cloth badge including postage $10 Business card advertising 4 issues $50

CARS FOR SALE

	For Sale Golford Aust. Special All steel 1040 cc Ford 105E Engine. Close ration 4 speed VW Transmission. Car fully restored by current owner. Current CAMS Log Book and C. of D. Price $19,000 with trailer Contact Grant Patullo (03) 9874 2436
	For Sale 1960 Essenkay Formula Junior Attractive Australian Special with history. 1089 cc Skoda engine, 36 hp VW transmission, drum brakes, alloy body, unused since 1992. Price $18,500 ono Contact Philip DeGruchy (03) 9898 3677 or 0408 398 624
	For sale 1961 Lotus 20J959  This car originally owned by Lionel Ayers Qld. Full restoration near complete (like new). Genuine enquiries only with offers in excess of $60,000 Contact Murray Bryden B.H. (03) 9357 9969
	For Sale 1963 Donford Formula Junior All steel 1098 cc dry sump Ford engine by Peter Moloy. VW type transmission, disc brakes. Immaculate condition, full history. Current CAMS log book and C of D Price $27,500 Contact Wayne Wilson Bus. Hours 02 9221 2099
	For sale 1961 Lynx BMC Formula Junior FJ104 Fully restored with "A" series competition engine. AP clutch, VW close ration trans., fully documented history. Sale price $26,000 Contact Kelvin Prior 03 9707 1652 or afja@iprimus.com.au