Moorland

Moorland – British FJ

The very first British Formula Junior cars to be built were the Halston Elva and the Moorland which appeared during the early part of 1959. The Moorland car was a one off and the pictures below show the car at the 2005 Brands Hatch Superprix where it was driven in the A2 class of the FJ race by the current owner William Grimshaw. William has kindly provided the following information about this rare and unique car.

A unique one off racer built 1959 by Moorland Car Company, Southall, London. Designed by Les Redmond, ex McLaren/Lotus, and was used as the basis for the very succesful Gemini series of fast Formula Junior cars. First raced at Brands Hatch in August 1959. (the story) Graham Warner, Lotus team driver, and owner of the The Chequered Flag dealership and race team, had purchased the car from Moorland Car Company and entered it in Britain’s first Formula Junior race.

Unfortunately, Warner encountered delays returning from racing at the Nurburgring. Stuck in traffic on the way to Brands Hatch, he called his mechanics at the track and asked them to find someone to drive the car in its initial outing. They came across the keen Formula 2 driver, Ian Raby, who having to start from the back of the grid, passed all other Formula juniors to win and set the first ever Junior lap record at Brands Hatch. Thus ended the first ever Formula Junior race in England with this car winning.
It was then sold to Jo Morris Junior, America in 1960 and raced until 2001. Repatriated from the East Coast in 2002 on the advice of Duncan Rabagliati, it was rebuilt by Derek Walker for W Grimshaw, the present owner. it has now received a new lease of life, as has its ageing owner! (Williams own words not mine)!!!!