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TEXT: JORDI RIPOLL MIRALLES / PHOTO: SERGIO CALLEJA
Not even the usual gusty wind that usually hits the Calafat circuit was able to tarnish a so endearing day like the one lived on May 13 at the veteran track of L´Ametlla de Mar. The association Vintage Formula chose this date for the celebration of its first national meeting, in which the presence of vehicles from the long-awaited Formulas 1430, 1800, Ford ... together with that of former drivers, builders, mechanics and supporters, ended up turning the morning in something difficult to forget for the real burned out and nostalgic people who traveled to the circuit despite it being a working day.
And although a large influx of public was not intended given the more or less "intimate" nature of the act, about 150 people yes they were seen by the lively padock of a track that has witnessed countless tests in which these same vehicles competed forty years ago.
Strolling that day through the esplanade attached to the pits became a continuous surprise for lovers of seventies motorsport, since the same was one with former champions of Spain of the long-awaited Formula 1430 -no less than four were seen: Salvador Cañellas, Federico Van der Hoeven, Pere Nogués and Miquel Molons-‐ that with other pilots of varied honors, such as the ex -‐ mountain champion of Catalonia Alfonso Tórmez or former Formula II driver Luís Almenara.
Even builders like Miguel Molons, manufacturer of the well-known Selex of the 1430 or 1800 formulas and a whole boy at 96 years old, or Luis Lacasta, creator in 1985 of his own car for the F1430, did not resist the temptation to approach the circuit.
The idea of Vintage Formula it seemed simple but effective: dust off the cars and roll down the track with no pretense but fun and having the best possible time. No struggles against the timer or personal pikes, that the years do not pass in vain. And under this premise it was achieved a more than respectable inscription, with nearly two dozen eager owners ready to indulge in their historic machines. Proof that there is currently a “hunger” for the track for these cars is shown by the origin of the teams, displaced from places as far apart as Barcelona, Gerona, La Coruña, Madrid, San Sebastián, Toledo, Valencia or Zamora.
Almost all with the trailer in tow as in the old days, although "level" means of transport such as that of Seat Historical Cars, that giving its unconditional support to the event, it moved one of its modern trucks with its precious cargo to the circuit: the Cordoban by F1430 that Salvador Cañellas would wear during the morning.
Vintage Formula: Good vibes and first-rate assistance
The informal “starting grid” ended up being the most diverse and colorful, since the relatively abundant Selex ST3, ST5 or Martini MK12 were joined by more exclusive and rare models to see in this country such as the Lola T492 and T70 trays, or single-seaters. of more recent conception and design such as the Coloni of the Formula Nissan and the Mygale of the Formula Renault. Except for the last minute pass for Tommy Castañer, who for scheduling reasons could not be present with his exclusive Lola T-250, or the change for technical reasons of Sergio Yborra's car - he replaced the Geri RB-10 from 1977 with which It was initially entered by a curious Martini MK-6 of the French Formula Renault - the rest of the participants showed up with their previously confirmed cars and ready to eat the asphalt.
All of them enjoyed like children during the five hours that they had free access to the track, and although the logical breakdowns were not lacking either, most of them were reduced to communicated distributor caps, greased spark plugs, discharged batteries, stops due to lack of fuel ... or the unexpected flight of some badly fastened fairing. In any case, the technical support to the pilots was perfectly resolved, since the students of the competition mechanics school RS Group, with Antonio and Sergio Iborra at the helm, they carried out a magnificent work of assistance. Commendable image of some boys and girls so young who went out of their way to help solve the problems of cars built twenty or thirty years before they were born. So that later it is said that there is no generational change.
After the end of the Meeting -with thanks included from the organization to the drivers, circuit, fans, the media and Seat Historical Cars- and even after the last photo session at the foot of the grid, a last lap of formation after the Safety Car. And at the farewell meal held at the circuit bar, all participants were presented with a nice commemorative souvenir of the event, donated by another legendary figure from the world of national formulas such as Ramón López, founder of Hispakart and builder of various F1430 and IVF. Ramón continues to be fully active with his cars and restorations, and is also another stalwart of Vintage formula. Although he could not attend the event for reasons beyond his control, he is sure that the next appointment will not be missed.
After the after-table coffee, it seemed that there nobody wanted to leave. What's more, almost everyone would have started the engines again to run another five hours with their machines. And as the restless components of Vintage Formula are aware of this, they have already put the batteries to remedy it: On October 29 and 30, a second Meeting will be held taking advantage of another brilliant frame, such as the Motorland Classic Festival to celebrate in Aragon.
And let no one think that the topic is going to end here: for 2017 they are preparing a “pack” of meetings made up of five meetings for which there are already as many confirmed circuits: Jarama and Calafat could not be absent -‐evidently-‐ due to the load they represent for many of these cars, but it can also be shot in Cheste (Valencia), Castellolí (Barcelona) and Alcarrás (Lleida).
Unknown pieces of national history
Winning on the part of the owners will not be missing: it was already seen last “Friday the 13th”. Illusion on the part of Vintage Formula either. But ... will there be enough racing cars to set up a more or less fixed schedule of matches? Well, even in this aspect, a promising future is sensed, because more and more formulas are reviving. And it's fantastic news: proceed to give a second life to these little ones -and yet authentic- racing cars. The personal effort made in their day by the builders, drivers and trainers of these "Formulations" It deserves to be appreciated even if it is so many years late.
For this reason, it is gratifying to perceive that not only have enough cars been recovered to put them back on the road - some of them with impeccable restorations to "State 1" - but also a considerable number of units is currently being reconditioned. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to reach an approximate figure of forty vehicles in running order for the near future.
The brand with the most chassis produced Selex it seems to have its DNA safe in light of the relative abundance of surviving specimens. However, and for the sake of historical memory, it is necessary that Hispakart, Lynx, ETCO and other similar cars built in much more limited series - or even in unique prototypes - will rise from their ashes to be shown in public as they were.
Sometimes It will not be an easy task: The last active seasons of many of these cars were in mountain races, and both their low purchase price when they were already a certain age, the laxity of regional regulations, and it must be said, the technical "level" of the mechanics that poked them, made them end up like real guinea pigs o "Laboratory cars" in which countless modifications were introduced, changes of engines, ailerons or homemade spoilers that distorted its initial appearance. To leave these cars as they were conceived, or with their original decorations "of war" with which they competed in the initial seasons on the circuit, there is no choice but to resort to research, to search for data, to locate old photographs of family albums….
Vintage Formula toys
As I said: a complex but stimulating task at the same time. And furthermore, it turns out historically necessary. Because our formulas must be put back on the slopes. They have to wake up from slumber and luckily many of them have already done so. Whoever engages in the restoration of one of these cars from now on already knows that he can have his reward: have a great time in the meetings of Vintage formula.
The Fórmula Vintage association has arranged an email for any type of query: vintage (at) gmail.com
