Miguel Sánchez
On April 4, 1971, the first race of the National Formula 1430. Conceived as a promotion cup for promising youngsters, Fernando Pérez Sala, Paco Josa and even Salvador Cañellas were trained in the competition. In addition, the Fiat licensee in Spain achieved some obvious promotional results.
Not surprisingly, although the single-seaters were built by Lince, Me-Pre or Selex, they had a multitude of parts supplied by SEAT. The main one is its engine. Coming from the well-known 1430 and adjusted here at 85 CV to propel these small formula up to 190 kilometers per hour thanks to its only 420 kilos. Also included in the set was a double-barreled Bressel 32 DHS-21 carburettor and exhaust manifolds from F3.
Thus, the National Formula 1430 became an excellent example of the virtues inherent in any single-brand trophy. Something well known in Spain thanks to the Renault National Cup -started in 1969 with the R8 TS as the protagonist- or the Simca Challenge -inaugurated just a year later using the 1000 GT-.
Likewise, in later years, more brands with an industrial presence in Spain joined this trend. Something especially visible in Citroën and its Citroën AX or Volkswagen Cup or its Polo Cup.
However, if we focus our gaze on the eighties it is impossible to ignore the two seasons of the Fura Cup. Introduced in 1983, it came amid a notable business storm for SEAT. Just spun off from Fiat and, therefore, endowed with an uncertain future in technological terms. But let's go in parts. In this way, we must go back to 1980, the year in which Fiat abandoned SEAT's shareholding, leaving it without a supplier in terms of design.
A particularly problematic situation because, after all, SEAT had only exercised the autonomy offered by the Italian parent company in very specific models. In fact, for years he seemed to play that famous joke of the “You will always be tightening screws”. Joke with which the Free Zone operators joked about their work. Very based on assembling pieces imported from Italy. At least for the first few years.
Thus, the separation agreements between Fiat and SEAT managed to give the Spanish company a breather by allowing it to use the designs of the Italian house for several years. In this sense, SEAT launched its Fura model in 1981. A copy of the third series transalpine 127 with just a few variations. Regarding the mechanics, the possible incorporation of the block with 1.010 cubic centimeters created by SEAT itself was left aside due to the reliability shown in the previous 127.
In this way, the Fura finally mounted the well-proven block with 903 cc adjusted here at 43 CV. One of the most beloved engines by fans of the brand, which served diligently in this model with an air of the end of the era. Furthermore, in October 1982 SEAT presented a sports version of the same. We are talking about the Fura Crono, equipped with the 1430 block to yield up to 75 CV here. Scarce compared to the 110 CV of an R5 Cup although, at the same time, weighed down by only 750 kilos. That is to say, 120 less than the scale given by the Renault.
With all this, the truth is that the SEAT Fura Crono was a good option in order to get into sports driving. Not only because of its simple and easily trickable mechanics. But also because of its economic nature, especially attractive to young and first-time pilots. Because of this, in 1983 SEAT decided to launch a new single-brand cup with the Fura Crono as the protagonist. In this sense, the brand itself made available to the participants a version calibrated at about 90 CV.
An excellent starting point for the Fura Cup. Which had in circuits like Alcañiz a perfect environment for the three seasons in which it lasted. Implying that, beyond its complex situation of having to do without Fiat as a technology provider, SEAT continued to show some muscle in sports.
Regarding the winners of the Fura Cup, Ricardo Garcia Galiano prevailed in the first edition, while John Escavias He was champion in 1984 and 1985. Along the way there were very competitive races and a show like only a cup of this type can give.
Photographs of SEAT Historic Cars.
