Formula Junior

The Formula Junior category was introduced in Italy in 1958 by Count Giovanni Lurani, and in 1959, it became an International Formula. Shortly thereafter, in 1960, the British began to take a serious interest in the category, beginning the rivalry between British and Italian cars.

The original FIA Formula Junior regulations defined the cars as single-seater racing cars with the mechanical components coming from a touring car of which a minimum of 1,000 units had been produced in 12 months time. The chassis was built within certain dimensions and to a weight minimum. The engine, gearbox, brakes, etc., had to be as derived from a production touring car. Therefore, the great variety of choices on different cars, such as engines from BMC, FIAT and Ford and gearboxes from Citroen, Renault and VW.