These two cars took part in the HSCC/FJHRA Silverline Historic Formula Junior Front Engine race at the Gold Cup meeting at Oulton Park in August 2018.
They are 1960 Bond Formula Junior cars, the only two that were ever built and unusual in that they were front-wheel drive cars. The project was started by Lawrence Bond and Jon Gordon-Watts in 1959, but because Lawrence Bond insisted in manufacturing the whole car himself (except for the engine) the first car was not completed till the end of the 1960 season. This car was driven by Jon Gordon-Watts in 1961, but by then FJ was dominated by the mid-engined cars and the Bond was not competitive. Chris Featherstone bought the car, together with a second uncompleted car and drawings, wooden patterns and unfinished castings. After an accident at Mallory Park in 1964 caused by a broken rear wishbone the cars were retired and stored until 1997 when the original one was repaired to take part in the 2000 Monaco Formula Junior race. The two cars were bought in 2008 by Andrew Tart who made improvements to the original car and completed the unfinished one and they competed together for the first time in 2011 at Mallory Park. Both cars have 1,100cc Ford 105E engines.
Here's Andrew Tart at Lodge Corner during the qualifying session on the Saturday of the three-day meeting. The other car was driven by Mike Walker.
No comments:
Post a Comment