27 replies to this topic

[simonlewisbooks]

By chance I came across a You Tube clip of the Grand Champion series race at Fuji in 1982 (which at the end sadly shows a truly horrific fatal accident so I won't add the link) I recall that the series was in effect Can-Am style bodies on F2 chassis and wondered when the series ran until ? It seemed to boast a very healthy grid at this time and, again from memory, I think most of the F2 regular such as Lees and Elgh took part?
Does anyone know any more? Japanese racing at this time seemed to be booming.

One of the comments to the clip mentions the unfortunate tendency of these cars to become airborne when spinning due to the massive area of the flat-bottom and that several drivers were killed in such incidents. Did this cause it's demise?

[ohazamiizugahara]

Fuji Grand Champion Series started 1971 and ended 1989.
I used to go to watch them until 1979.

I will post pictures which I took.

[Francois78]

hello , here are two links for some photos of Japan GC in 1988 and 1989 :

http://www.kuni-phot...m/1988gcR-1.htm

http://www.kuni-phot...m/1989gcR-3.htm

And a pic of my Tyco March-Mooncraft (HO slot racing , the real thing...)



Regards. Francois

[simonlewisbooks]

Thanks ohazamiizugahara & Francois78 for the photos and links.

I hadn't realised that the GC series had started so far back with the Gp6 type cars of the 70s!

Did it end because of accidents? small grids? no sponsors?

[Francois78]

Hello , here is the link to the Mooncraft company :

http://www.mooncraft.jp/motor/80s.html

Perhaps they'll give you some explanations about JGC ?

Regards Francois

[Francois78]

An horrible crash on the old Fuji banking involving Gr.6 or GC in 1973...

http://afw.fc2web.co...1973fuji200.htm

[simonlewisbooks]

Holy mackeral.... I have heard about this one but never seen the photos before.That really was a truly colossal accident. That it resulted in 'only' one death is actually surprising given the size of the fire and the number of cars involved. Jeez.... very sobering....

Am I right in thinking this was the indicent that caused the banked section at Fuji to fall into disuse?

[Francois78]

I don't know if this crash was the main reason to left the banked section of Fuji....
What I've read : originally , Fuji was planned to be a full speedway (with 2 bankings ?) but there was a lack of finance.

Another link for early days of GC serie :
http://www.ne.jp/asa...Pcarscitys.html

You must select the third square in the left column...

If you have something else about GC series , please share , I'm interested too...

Regards Francois

[ohazamiizugahara]

Yes, there was an accident in 1973 and a young driver was killed.
I was there but I did not take any pictures of that accident.

And there was another big accident at the approach to the bank and two drivers were killed in 1974.
JAF decided not to use the bank.

I am not sure the reason why they decided to end Fuji GC races.
I beleave most racing teams could not get sponsors.

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by simonlewisbooks
By chance I came across a You Tube clip of the Grand Champion series race at Fuji in 1982 (which at the end sadly shows a truly horrific fatal accident so I won't add the link) I recall that the series was in effect Can-Am style bodies on F2 chassis and wondered when the series ran until ? It seemed to boast a very healthy grid at this time and, again from memory, I think most of the F2 regular such as Lees and Elgh took part?
Does anyone know any more? Japanese racing at this time seemed to be booming.

One of the comments to the clip mentions the unfortunate tendency of these cars to become airborne when spinning due to the massive area of the flat-bottom and that several drivers were killed in such incidents. Did this cause it's demise?

It's interesting to see that the 'single seater with mudguards' theme is still alive and well in Japanese sports car racing - the final round of the Japan Le Mans Challenge this year was won by something that was effectively a Dallara F3 in frilly knickers masquerading (vaguely) as an LMP2.

I've seen less likely racing cars than some of the GCs, but most of them were converted single seaters in later Interserie

[Francois78]

A link to see a 1/20th scale model of a mooncraft special based on a Lola F3000 .
The second photo shows the stucture of the car.

http://www.geocities...miniature2.html

[simonlewisbooks]

That's a very nice looking car I have to say. Much more attractive than some of the silly designs that appeared in Interserie in the 90's and vaguely reminds me of the Auto Union streamliners raced at Avus.
I bet the sponsors loved all that square footage of advertising space.
Surprising that F1 cars have not gone down this route for that very reason! For once BCE has missed a trick.

[ohazamiizugahara]

Typical Fuji GC car in 1980s.







This machine is LOLAT88/40.

[simonlewisbooks]

Thanks for the excellent photos ohazamiizugahara
I'm intrigued by the silencer/muffler visible on the top photo. Is this a photo from the 80s or a recent historic event?

[ohazamiizugahara]

I took these LOLAT88/40 pictures recently at the historic car event.
There was another Fuji GC car.
I will post it soon.
Please wait.

[FLB]

Originally posted by ohazamiizugahara
And there was another big accident at the approach to the bank and two drivers were killed in 1974.
JAF decided not to use the bank.

Hiroshi Kazato and Seiichi Suzuki...

[ohazamiizugahara]

Another 1980s GC car.







She is also a single seater sport car.

[Francois78]

Hi all ! here are some open sports pics from 1982 Fuji Group C race....

- bottom left : Autobacs march 75S with a 4L 1991cc (18R-G ?)
- top right : MCS (mooncraft?) with a 4L 1998cc BMW M12/7
- bottom right : March 75S with a 4L 1998cc BMW M12/7
And on another page , a (common) white Chevron B36 with a 4L 1998 BMW.



Ho (1/64) slot cars on top are here to show you the future in slot-racing....

I wish you all a nice year 2008. Francois

[mosleylucky]

i appear as new fan and all those sentences are very interesting.

what's about the period of 2 litres rules, from 1972 to 1979 in Fuji Series ?

more than Grand Champion, appeared a Long Distance serie for double drivers... LM.

[mosleylucky]

Hello !

i well know the "story" is now ancient, but could you answer to new searches or/and rare views of Fuji cars ?... !... thank to all you. LM.

[km1164]

Hello !

i well know the "story" is now ancient, but could you answer to new searches or/and rare views of Fuji cars ?... !... thank to all you. LM.

I own a GC Gp 6 lola race car i have many photos given to me by nice man in japan but on another website aerogis photo? he has many photos

[mosleylucky]

I own a GC Gp 6 lola race car i have many photos given to me by nice man in japan but on another website aerogis photo? he has many photos

HELLO ! ok nice first to hear from one person on this topic...

could you send me more informations or/and photos' copies ?...

my e-mail : mosleylucky at yahoo.fr

tell me what YOU are looking for... if i can send to/help you...

regards, LM.

[mosleylucky]

Hello ! everybody's sleeping here...

km1164, could you give me the link to this particular place in aerogi ?

thanks, LM.

[mosleylucky]

to your service now :


http://www.protos.netai.net




LM.

[Jesper O. Hansen]

From the Bridgestone picture archive: http://archives.brid...ndexCategory.do

Jesper

[mosleylucky]

hi ! new link in 48 hours : http://protos-mag.com !!!

regards, LM.

thanks for the link...

[JKMoonCraft]

Hi, I have a MoonCraft MCS-1 1980, anyone know about these??

 

thanks

 

Jono

[JKMoonCraft]

HI All, this seems to be an old post, but we have finally restored a 1979 MCS, this is the only MCS still running from the 1979/80 series

 

we have a page set up about it https://www.facebook...2925&fref=photo