Introduction to the FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior Cars

No International Formula has been more truly worldwide than Formula Junior. 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 designspan 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, rear engined spaceframes such as the Coopers, to the full monocoque of the Lotus 27. Graf Wolfgang Von Trips, Gerhard Mitter, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Mike Spence and Lo-renzo Bandini 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 Eastern & Western Europe.

In 1975, Formula Junior was the first expired formula to be revived as an historic series and 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 again, it was one of the closest races of the day. Since 1998, Formula Juniors have raced at the Goodwood Circuit revival meeting. The 2005 FJ race, for rear engined disc braked cars, was won by Edwin Jowsey in his Lotus 22 and his lap speed of 99.42 mph was the 3rd fastest of the entire meeting. Races are now being held in Australia, New Zealand, USA and South Africa. The FJ race was a star attraction at the inaugural Grand Premio do Porto in Portugal last summer and there is a new race planned for Angola in November 06.

The prestigious Lurani Trophy continues to be hugely well supported throughout Europe with rounds at Brands Hatch, Hockenheim, Misano, Spa, Nurburgring, Mantorp Park and Estoril in 2006.

Cars from each of the five categories:

      FJ/1-F - pre 1961 front engined with FIAT or Lancia engines
      FJ/1-F - pre 1961 front engined with Ford , BMC and other engines
      FJ/1-R - pre 1961 rear engined
      FJ/2 - post 1960 front and rear engined-drum brakes
      FJ/2 - post 1960 front and rear engined-disc brakes

score points equally for each race, with F3/500 cc cars running in this Championship as an invitation category only. The 2005 Lurani Trophy was won for the second consecutive year by Kevin Musson in his Lotus 18. Formula Juniors will also be racing this year at the Silverstone Historic Festival, Pau, Dijon, Karlskoga Historic Festival, Copenhagen, Monterey, Monaco, the Goodwood Revival and Angouleme, along with races in Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, plus several in Italy and many more besides.

For more information and words of advice before buying a FJ please contact the FJHRA secretary Duncan Rabagliati on Fax +44(0)20 8946 2367 or e-mail rabagliati@blueyonder.co.uk