1963 Lola MK 5A news, pictures, and information

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Formula Junior
Chassis Num: BRJ63

This 1963 Lola is an MK5 Formula Junior car with an 1100cc engine and chassis number BRJ63.

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Formula Junior
Chassis Num: BRJ59

In 1963, Formula Junior was the critical testing ground for young lions hoping to break into Formula One. Formula Junior cars were slightly smaller versions of the Formula One cars, running 1100cc engines instead of the 1500cc F1 engines. The races were held together with the Formula One races so F1 team owners could observe. The best would get a chance to race in Formula One. Many of the worlds great drivers came from Formula Junior, including Jim Clark, Sterling Moss, Graham Hill, and many more.

In 1963, this Lola MK.5A was one of four Lola MK.5A cars campaigned by the Midland Racing Partnership. One was driven by Richard Attwood, another by David Hobbs, and another by Brian Berrow. This particular car (chassis number BRJ59) was raced by Bill Bradley.

Bradley did well in the 1963 Formula Junior Championship. Perhaps his most notable finish was 5th at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix for Formula Junior, out of 58 entries. The race was won by Richard Attwood in another Midland Lola MK.5A. Bradley had many other top five finishes that year. He also finished third overall in the Irish Championship.

At the end of the 1963 season, Formula Junior ended in Europe. It was replaced by Formula 2 and Formula 3. This Lola raced in both categories, continuing a succession of top five finishes. The car was later sold to a French racer before coming to the United States in the 1980's. Since that time the car has been restored and vintage raced in the western United States.

The car was most recently purchased, in 2006, by Don Sandy of San Rafael, and Art Herbert of Larkspur, California, who also drives the car. Since that time the Lola has claimed multiple pole positions and race victories, as well as several podium finishes.

2008 is the 50th Anniversary of Formula Junior, and also the 50th Anniversary of Lola Cars. To celebrate, an International Formula Junior Championship is planned with races around the world, including England, Monaco, the United States (Monterey Historics and Lime Rock), New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

In 1963, Lola introduced their updated version of the previous year's Formula Junior racer (the MK5). This new updated version was called the MK5A. It had a tubular steel space-frame chassis and a four-piece fiberglass body. There was a 5-speed Hewland MK4 VW-based gearbox mated to a Ford engine - popular choices were Cosworth or Holbay - and produced around 100 horsepower. The fuel tank was positioned behind the driver's seat and the oil tank was behind the radiator. The steering was a rack-and-pinion setup with 9.25-inch Girling disc brakes at all four corners. The suspension was unequal-length links with anti-roll bars, and spring and damper units. The wheelbase measured 92-inches with a total length of 144-inches. In total, there were twelve examples created.

The Mark 5A earned many top three finishes during the 1963 season.

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Lola: 1961-1970

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