Formula Junior

Formula Junior is a formula racing class first adopted in October 1958 by the CSI (Controller of International Motorsport, now FIA). The class was intended to to provide an entry level class where you could use inexpensive mechanical components from ordinary automobiles. The idea to form the new class came from count Giovganni "Johnny" Lurani who saw the need of a class for single-seater racing cars where younger drivers could take their first steps.

Related Topics:
Formula racing - 1958 - FIA - Automobile - Count - Giovganni "Johnny" Lurani

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The rules for the class required the cars to be powered by production-based engines with a volume of 1000 cc with a 360 kg (792 lb) car or 1100 cc with a 400 kg (880 lb) car. Parts like engine block, head and cylinders had to come from a production car; single or twin overhead camshafts, limited slip differentials and modifications to the number of main bearings were all forbidden. The brakes and transmission also had to be production-based. You were alowed to increase the number of gears, but only inside a production gearbox casing. Formula Junior was also the first racing class to require roll bars. In Italy the popular Fiat 1100 engine was the obvious choise and in 1958 there were few other suitable engines, but what was available was the 1000 cc Mini engine as well as the DKW and the SAAB three-cylinder two-stroke engines. Most Formula Junior cars used front-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive, just as the Grand Prix cars of the era. The first international Formula Junior championship in 1959 was won by the Swiss driver and engineer Michael May in a Stanguellini.

Related Topics:
Camshaft - Limited slip differential - Roll bar - Fiat - 1958 - Mini - DKW - SAAB - 1959 - Michael May - Stanguellini

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In the UK Frank Nichols of Elva produced the Elva 100 series powered by a BMC A-Series (Sprite or Mini) engine or a two-stroke DKW engine tuned by Mitter in Germany. The Elva became first mass-produced British Formula Junior car. Other British designs included the Gemini (earlier called Moorland) and Lola Mk 2. Keith Duckworth of Cosworth Engineering took an interest in Formula Junior and managed to get hold of two of the new engine to be used in the 1959 Ford Anglia. Cooper also produced Formula Junior cars, but they used the same chassis as for their Formula One cars, but with BMC A-series engines. Lotus also came into the game with their Lotus 18 fitted with a 1100 cc Ford Anglia engine (the Lotus 18 was also fitted with a 1.5 liter engine for Formula Two and a 2.5 liter for Formula One). Later Lotus also raced in Formula Junior with Lotus 20, Lotus 22 and Lotus 27.

Related Topics:
Frank Nichols - Elva - Elva 100 - BMC - Sprite - Mitter - Germany - Gemini - Moorland - Lola Mk 2 - Keith Duckworth - Cosworth - 1959 - Ford Anglia - Cooper - Formula One - Lotus - Lotus 18 - Formula Two - Lotus 20 - Lotus 22 - Lotus 27

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In Sweden SAAB produced the Saab Formula Junior, mainly to test new engine designs.

Related Topics:
Sweden - SAAB - Saab Formula Junior

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In Russia the most used engine came from the Moskvitch.

Related Topics:
Russia - Moskvitch

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In the middle of the 1960s the trend was towards moving the engine from the front to the rear. Also the numer of manufacturers increased. By the end of 1960 there were over 100 manufacturers worldwide, and by the end of 1963 the number had increased to almost 500. By 1963 the class had become very competative and the cost of tuning a 1000 cc engine to get up to 120 hp was getting too high. The 1963

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series was the last series in the UK. Internationally the class was abandoned in 1964 to be somewhat replaced with Formula 3. Later classes based on the same idea is Formula Ford and Formula Vee. Much later Formula Junior has done a comeback, but now in vintage racing.

Related Topics:
1964 - Formula 3 - Formula Ford - Formula Vee

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Drivers with background in Formula Junior includes Jim Clark, Peter Arundell, John Surtees, Denis Hulme, Ed Leslie, Pat Pigott and Jack McAfee.

Related Topics:
Jim Clark - Peter Arundell - John Surtees - Denis Hulme - Ed Leslie - Pat Pigott - Jack McAfee

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