Foresighted Formula

In the history of racing there have been formulae that quickly become popular and continue to grow, while others are launched, but for whatever reason, lack popular appeal and just fade away. Usually after a lot of money has been wasted on them! Who remembers F100, Formula Talbot, or even Formula Vauxhall? All well intentioned, but did not endure.

One that did endure was Formula Junior, which came into being in 1958, and just exploded in popularity. As is well-known, the category was proposed by Count Giovanni (Johnny) Lurani, who, with his many connections, was able to persuade the FIA to adopt it. The Count also persuaded the small Italian racecar manufacturers to support the new formula, and soon there were a good number of front-engine Juniors, mostly modeled on the great iconic Italian F1 car, the 250F Maserati. The rules were really very sensible, requiring that the engine block and cylinder head had to come from a production car, as well as the gearbox casing—and even the brakes.