14 replies to this topic

[RAP]

Following on from the well-received Formule Libre  (Europe) 1929-61 book published in 2014 (2nd edition 2016), forum members may like to know that the Formula One Register has now extended the topic to cover European Libre races 1962-66.

 

The record is in the same style as the  Record of Grand Prix & Voiturette series, often referred to as the "black books", with full entries and, where possible, grids and and full results.

 

The result of 60 years of data collection, the book documents in detail over 500 races with information that has never previously been available.

Most races were in the UK with, often, several races on a weekend. But there were also Libre races in the Netherlands and the Swiss Championship held races at Hockenheim and Monza.

In the UK Libre races saw ex-Formula 1 and 2 cars taking part, sometimes re-engined with American V8 engines, along with Formula Juniors and sports cars. In the mid-60s Brabhams, Lotuses and Coopers with twin-cam Lotus-Ford engines were usually at the front at least until the iconic Kincraft appeared.

Unlike the first volume, this book does not distinguish between lesser and more significant races. All are fully documented with entry, grid and results, as far as it has been possible to obtain the information. These races have never previously been fully documented.

The book is 453 pages hard-bound in the usual Formula One Register style. Chassis numbers are given where they were observed or are recorded in the Register’s archive. Although generally there are no illustrations, there are photographs of some of the more unusual Netherlands cars..

 

Price is £80 + postage (£4.50 UK; rest of Europe £15 but please note that under EU rules national sales tax and a collection fee will be payable on or before delivery; £27.50 USA)

 

 

It can be ordered at

www.formulaoneregister.com

 and see Latest Titles on the right-side.

 

Richard Page

 

 

 

[Henk Vasmel]

I bought this book when I first heard about it from your mail sent out to me (a regular customer). I must say I am a happy customer.

I was surprised about the small group of countries covered. Was Formule Libre really such a limited thing?

What are the plans for extending this series?

[john aston]

Formula Libre  was almost a contradiction in terms , in that the only formula was that there was no formula , and in essence it was a posh name for  Run What Yer Brung . I saw lots of Formula Libre races in period , usually as the final race of the day . The only time you will ever see single seaters , saloons and sports cars sharing the track now is at a VSCC meeting . Back then , it was very different  and any formula which creates a race featuring a (Can Am winning ) Porsche 908 , sundry Chevrons, Clubmans cars , FF1600 and  750 Formula (as I have seen) is ok with me...  

Edited by john aston, 27 January 2022 - 09:52.

[Stephen W]

There is a Facebook Group dedicated to British Formula Libre https://www.facebook...939411653164428

[RAP]

As a point of (perhaps pedantic) clarification, the books includes events for Racing Cars only but not run to a recognised International or National formula.

eg at the Nottingham Sports Car Club Silverstone meetings it was usual to have a race for Racing Cars with a class for F3; the "unlimited" class is included but the F3s are covered in the Register's F3 records, and then the meeting concluded, as John commented,  a Formule (or the anglisised Formula) Libre race at the end of day that would include the racing cars plus various sports & GT cars that wanted another race.

Richard Page

[Doug Nye]

Please, Formule Libre...  

 

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 27 January 2022 - 10:51.

[pete53]

Some of you may remember there were even some Formule Libre championships in the UK, most notably, the Bob Gerard Championship that ran exclusively at Mallory Park for several years, and the Yazaki sponsored FL championship in 1968 that was, I recall, exclusive to Brands Hatch.

[Derwent Motorsport]

There were some great Libre races at Ingliston with a wide variety of cars. 

[Doug Nye]

I remember thinking "Well - the Formule can't get much more Libre than this as one our first end-of-day Goodwood Revival handicap races saw a Lotus 49 rushing up upon the then-leading 500cc F3 car, which was both some 20 years older and around 40secs per lap slower...

 

My, what fun.  

 

DCN

[nicanary]

I remember thinking "Well - the Formule can't get much more Libre than this as one our first end-of-day Goodwood Revival handicap races saw a Lotus 49 rushing up upon the then-leading 500cc F3 car, which was both some 20 years older and around 40secs per lap slower...

 

My, what fun.  

 

DCN

More of this please. I did not attend the first Revival but recognise the spirit of period Goodwood in this style of race - more 5-lap races and events to encourage Ford s/v specials would please me greatly , although not, I suspect, the majority of those in attendance. Back to FL and I recall hordes of Formula Fords entered by the JRRDC in order to satisfy their promise that all paying hopefuls would get at least one "serious" race. At Snetterton this could be half the entry.

[Sterzo]

... I recall hordes of Formula Fords entered by the JRRDC in order to satisfy their promise that all paying hopefuls would get at least one "serious" race. At Snetterton this could be half the entry.

A very evocative post. A random entry for the last race at a wet Snetterton... how truly can we claim to have lived through a Golden Age.

[dgs]

The new European Formule Libre book 1962-1966 is full of fascinating race entries and results.

 

Such as Jackie Stewart winning a 10 lap race at Oulton Park (31-08-1963) in a Cooper-Monaco, where he recorded pole position and fastest lap..

 

Or: Silverstone (10 laps of Grand Prix circuit) on 06-07-1963, where race won by John Taylor (Cooper T59-1.5 litre Ford) with Patrick Lindsay coming 2nd in the Napier-  Railton-24 litre, followed in 3rd place by Tony Marsh in a BRM 48-2.5 litre. Tony Marsh of course better known as a multi hill climb winner,but did a fair number of circuit races.

 

Or: 8 lap race at Snetterton (24-04-1963) where the race was won by Roy James (Brabham BT6) who also recorded pole and fastest lap.

Roy James would of course  later become known for his part in the 'Great Train Robbery'

 

Hundreds of little documented races in this book. Recommended 

[Roger Clark]

 

 

Or: Silverstone (10 laps of Grand Prix circuit) on 06-07-1963, where race won by John Taylor (Cooper T59-1.5 litre Ford) with Patrick Lindsay coming 2nd in the Napier-  Railton-24 litre, followed in 3rd place by Tony Marsh in a BRM 48-2.5 litre. Tony Marsh of course better known as a multi hill climb winner,but did a fair number of circuit races.

 

 

That race was run in appallingly wet conditions.  Racing would not be considered today.  Patrick Lindsay's handling of 24 litres was heroic beyond belief.

[Doug Nye]

The Napier-Railton's considerable weight, relatively narrow tyres and smooth low-revving engine providing progressive power delivery were certainly factors that day - while Patrick's personal skill and competitiveness (plus his decidedly patrician personal sense of natural superiority - and committed bravery) did the rest...

 

It was certainly seen at the time as a stunning result.

 

DCN

[Allan Lupton]

The Motor Sport report refers to the Napier-Railton's carburettor problems resulting in one bank shutting down on right-hand corners but an extra 150 hp coming in suddenly as he was getting it straight. I thought that was a problem at VSCC Oulton Park the year before and had been cured by 1963, but who can say?