Events dates for New Zealand round of the Formula Junior Diamond Jubilee World Series are;
Hampton Downs Festival– 1st weekend – January 13th to 15th 2017- TBC – Subject to track extension being completed. Optional event.
Hampton Downs Festival– 2nd weekend – January 20th to 22nd 2017- World Series points event.
Leadfoot Festival Hillclimb Friday 27th -Sunday 29th January TBC.
Scope Classic- Ruapuna Circuit – February 4th -5th 2017. World Series points event.
Enzed Classic –The Levels Circuit – February 11th-12th 2017. non-World Series Points round
Evolution Classic- Teretonga Circuit – February 18th-19th 2017. World Series points event.
Notes;
– Hampton Downs Circuit extension is expected to be completed by November 2016. The Festival organisers are contemplating running the new long circuit one weekend of the Festival, and the current shorter circuit the other. If this is the case then the FJ may run both weekends, though only the second will count for World series points.
– There will be Formula Junior only grids at all the circuits with separate grids for Front and Rear engine Juniors at Ruapuna, The Levels and Teretonga Circuits, if the grids are oversubscribed.
– I am in discussion over dates with Rod and Shelly Millan for Leadfoot Festival Hillclimb for the 28th and 29th January 2017. The event dates may not be available until early 2016. There should be considerable Interest from the Internationals in attending as the Hillclimb, venue and the associated social events make it a popular event with both competitors and partners. A very important element of the Leadfoot Festival is the selection and variety of many different disciplines in motor racing. Nearly all race vehicles and legendary drivers are invited by invitation only to the Leadfoot Festival. Its popularity means that not all would be able to participate.
The Diamond Jubilee World Series: 2016 – 2018
In 2008 we organised the Formula Junior Golden Jubilee World Series across four Continents.
We had three separate grids, and 80 Formula Juniors at Monterey, a total that was equalled at Monza, the home of Formula Junior, and surpassed when 103 Juniors raced at Brands Hatch. We travelled to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and made some long lasting new friendships across all continents.
Since 2008, Formula Junior has continued to expand, with vibrant organisations across the world, and the FJ Worldwide family is in incredible health.
In Europe this season, the Historic Formula Junior season has got off to a terrific start, and to date in 2015 we’ve had over 100 different drivers take part in either the UK “Silverline” Championship or FIA Lurani Trophy.
So now it is well and truly time to turn our attention to the greatly anticipated Formula Junior Diamond Jubilee World Series 2016 – 2018, and to planning the various global pieces of the jigsaw…this will be the greatest and longest Series of races that have ever been organised for one Formula within Historic motor racing – you wouldn’t want to miss it would you?!
Diamond Jubilee Patron
And of course, we wanted a Patron for our Diamond Jubilee, so were absolutely delighted when Howden Ganley enthusiastically accepted Duncan’s invitation, with ”a big Yes please and thank you, sounds wonderful”.
Howden Ganley really is the perfect choice. He was of course a Formula Junior Driver in period, of possibly the most advanced of all, the mighty Gemini Mk 4a.
He then went on to become New Zealand’s fourth F1 GP driver…for BRM. Constructor of the TIGA race cars with Tim Schenken and is now the current President of The Grand Prix Drivers Club.
With Howden’s special connections to NZ and Australia as well as Britain and Monaco, USA and South Africa, he is really going to be a wonderful asset to the whole Series.
For anyone wishing to do some background reading on Howden, his autobiography is called ”Road to Monaco”
So where will we race? – Sectors of the Series
2016
1. South Africa
2. Europe
3. Australia
2017
4. New Zealand
5. North America Part 1
6. Baltic Sea
7. North America Part 2
2018
8. Europe 1
9. Europe 2
10. Pacific
The Details, the DATES!!
1. We will begin in South Africa in January and February 2016, with a 3 race series at Zwartkops (January 29th/30th), Killarney (February 5th/6th) and East London (February 12th/13th).
2. Then the first European stage will take place, with the 2016 confirmed dates so far as follows;March: 74th Goodwood Members Meeting (rear Disc) (Non WS points scoring)
May: Monaco Grand Prix Historique (Front engined) (Non WS points scoring)
July: Brands Hatch Superprix (3 grids)
September: Goodwood Revival Meeting (Front engined) (Non WS points scoring)
September: Spa 6 Hours Meeting
3. It’s then on to Australia for the tried and tested 3 race Tasman Series in October /November 2016 taking you from Western Australia right across to Sydney. All the transportation will be arranged for you, so you can focus on the sightseeing details. The races are Barbagallo (WA) [22/23/10], Sandown (Vic) [5/6/11] and Eastern Creek (NSW) [18th – 20th/11].
4. In early 2017 the tour moves to NZ for a series of races starting at the Hampton Downs Festival [20th-22nd Jan] and then via the LeadFoot Festival Hillclimb to the South Island for the Scope Classic at Ruapuna Circuit [4th – 5th Feb], a non-WS points round at The Levels [11th – 12th Feb], finishing at the Evolution Classic at Teretonga Circuit [18th-19th Feb]
5. Later in 2017 the two North American legs of the tour will take place.
We have these two prestigious dates confirmed so far;
Canadian Historic GP at Mosport in June 2017 and Lime Rock Historic Festival from Thursday Aug 31 to Monday Sep 4 2017.
In addition, four other races are planned or in negotiation at major US circuits.
6. We will then return to Europe to some more incredible highlights including a visit to the birth place of Formula Junior – Monza, and 2 grids at the Silverstone Classic.
