"PITSTOP"

Winter 2002 Edition

It is interesting to read regular reports on Formula Junior Activity in Europe where these cars are currently very popular. It seems that many events are oversubscribed, and the competition is quite fierce. There are cars from around the world competing against the best in well-organised Trophy Series.

In Australia we believe our cars increasing popularity is due to its International status, and the need for fair competition between competitors. This year we introduced a Trophy Series over 6 events to encourage more owners to use their car, the ultimate aim being exclusive FJ only events.

There are 86 cars in Australia, 35 of which are currently considered capable of participating in FJ Events. Furthermore, when canvassed last year, 42 owners indicated they would enter their car in a prestige event.

At the last AGM members discussed the possibility of high profile FJ events together with overseas cars, especially from NZ where our Kiwi guest Speaker assured us that a revival of interest in these vehicles had taken place.

Recently the AFJA sought permission to present a New Submission to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for a support even at the 2003 AGP. This would involve a series of races, and not the display and demonstration previously proposed.

Assuming the AGP Corp. will look at our proposal, we intend to upgrade our previous submission to include racing cars as distinct from demonstrators. It will be pictorial as before, but we need a copy of your cars Certificate of Description and a short story regarding its history. Please forward to Secretary asap.

Should anyone like to enter their car in the 2003 Southern Festival of Speed on the south Island of NZ, there are 4 race meetings and a Hillclimb between February 1st and 23rd. Contact Secretary Kelvin for details.

Nick McDonald seated in his all conquering Brabham BT2 preparing to race at Winton

RACE REPORT - WINTON - ROUND THREE

Winton near Benalla is 200 km north of Melbourne making it accessible to drivers from the most populous states of Australia. The circuit is very tight, but suitable to FJ cars low on power, but tall on handling. The weather was great for a change with dry surface and no rain. Historic Winton was held May 25 - 26 and with 11 cars entered we represented a third of a composite Group M and O racing car grid with members from SA, Qld and NSW making it a National Event.

Again Nick McDonald in his ex Gavin Youl Brabham BT2 works car shattered the lap record by over 4 seconds, and it now stands at 65.40 for the short circuit. Nick maximized his points for the AFJA Trophy Series. He also won the Winton FJ Trophy, and the trophy for best presented car at the meeting.

Wayne Hocking from SA was the next fastest car, but no match for Nick on his home territory. Peter Cooper driving his Schazum (currently for sale) gained maximum points in the earlier FJ1 Group for both Perpetual Trophies.

Graham Brown traveled from Qld. For the event, and practiced well with improving lap times, but unfortunately Graham was outbraked by another car in the 1st corner melee of race one and damaged the radiator, making him a spectator for the weekend (not happy Jan). Murray Bryden broke a rocker shaft in the engine of his MRC Lotus, and John Medley experience clutch problems with his Nota.

On the Saturday evening, members gathered at an old hotel in Wangaratta for a meal where many tall stories were told and performances exaggerate in a sport known as bench racing.

RACE REPORT - IPSWICH HISTORICS - ROUND FOUR BY PETER JOHNSON

The Willowbank race circuit is 55 km south west of Brisbane in sunny Queensland. An ideal location for winter events.

The weather at Willowbank was fine and dry all weekend, days averaging 23c, though nights were a little nippy... one even dipped to -1c. The turn out was good, but from the 5 juniors entered, 2 succumbed to
mechanical problems during Friday practice. Murray Bryden once again broke a rocker shaft bolt as he did at Winton, indicating an ongoing problem, and John Medley broke the crank in his front-engined Nota, pushing the clutch into the bell housing and cracking that too. Both left for the long trip home on Saturday.

This left Graham Brown in his Lynx, Peter Johnson in the BT6 and Geoff Fry in his Jolus to carry the flag. Our banner was prominently displayed, keeping our presence known. Geoff suffered from minor mechanical problems on Saturday, but solved all of them with help, promising to be better prepared at Eastern Creek, and raced and finished in all 4 events listed.
Graham was the front running Junior in all events, bringing the chase to the 1500s very well, showing that a well-driven Junior is a formidable competitor.

Pieter Boel in his recently completed Lola MK5A BRJ54
Preparing for Ipswich

IS THE TITLE TO YOUR CAR SECURE?

In 1999 I purchased a Lynx FJ in need of restoration. Unfortunately the history of the car was incomplete and mixed with other Lynx cars. During my investigations it became necessary to extract my cars history from incomplete lists prepared by others. I am still trying to establish a true Lynx Register, as many of the cars built were Formula Junior.

Most English cars like Lotus have car registers, Elfin has one, Nota and Rennmax should have and Lynx is a mystery we may just solve given time.

The main problem is time and memory, as the youngest original owner is now over 60 and important records were lost when the old car became less competitive.

We who own these cars are merely custodians, for the car is designed to outlast us, especially with its ever-increasing value as a collectable asset.

When the car was new, owners made history, but never recorded it because the next race was more important than the last. Now the car is classified historic it lives for its history, and the more comprehensive the record, the greater the value.

The history of our car is available from previous owners, race programs, motoring magazines, log books, photographic collections and official race results. Many of these mediums are looked at by the Historic Eligibility Committee when you apply for a LogBook, but not necessarily revealed to you the owner.

It is also worthy of note that CAMS now require a full history of ownership and competition record to support an application for a LogBook. The line of history should identify a continual chain of ownership and competition history dating from manufacture. This information, once recorded, will establish proprietorship, provided the information is accurate.

Formula Junior are international cars where the current value is quite often greater that the cost to construct, and for sometime there have been replicas posing as the real thing, particularly overseas where an Australian or New Zealand chassis number is considered fair game.

Eventually there will be a comprehensive data base of cars which will expose those with history commencing in the 1980's, but in the meantime we need to research and write the history of our car for posterity, and in doing so, secure its title to you and any future owners.

LEO GEOGEGAN AND RETIREINVEST PERPETUAL TROPHY FINAL SCORES FOR 2002

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