Index

Introduction

History

Major races

Sponsored drivers and teams

Introduction

Introduction My love of motorsport begins in the 50s.

In those years , held in Barcelona The Peña Rhin Grand Prix Formula 1.

In the garaje of the house he lived were kept racing cars from Grand Prix, and i had chance to see them closely.

Also my father took me to watch the races on the Pedralbes circuit.

My family had a car repair workshop,specializing in shock absorbers, and many riders went through this w.s. to prepare their race cars.

Finished my studies in the late 60s,followed the family business on my own in a new workshop and technical assistance department at the races.

From that time i have always been linked to the automotive world.

History

History In the second half of the years 60,s motorsports had a remarkable boom in Spain. Spanish riders participating in international events were crucial. Names like Alex Soler Roig,Paco Godia,Jose Mª Juncadella,Jaime y Manel Juncosa,Geni Baturone,Salvador Cañellas,Hansi y Jorge Babler, Jorge de Bragation,Jose Mª Palomo…. were some of the most popular.

Alex Soler Roig – Porsche 356 Juan Fernandez – Porsche 908/3

Alex Soler Roig - Porsche

Juncosa Manel (2nd from the right) with a group of pilots

Juncosa Manel (2nd from the right) with a group of pilots

Manel Juncosa (2nd from the right) with a group of drivers Manel Juncosa (2nd from the right) with a group of drivers.

Juan Fernandez - Porsche

In May 1969 was again Montjuich stage of the Grand Prix Of Spain Formula One. Was won by Jackie Stewart (Matra/ Cosworth),followed by Bruce McLaren (McLaren/Cosworth) and third place went to Jean Pierre Beltoise (Matra/Cosworth)

First Corner : Rindt is alredy gone,Amon follows,Siffert tries te inside.

Formula One car in Montjuic

Formula One Car in Montjuic

In those years , training many races,especially resistence and is very important to the organization by the Club 600 de Barcelona.Races as the 12 Hours of Barcelona, Seat Trophy,3 Horas Nacionales,….. We also started the first races series such as Copa Nacional Renault R-8 TS.

Above : Cup Renault R-8 TS Up : The SeatTtrophy - Down;The Barcelona 12 Hr start.

The Hill Climb races had many followers,especially in Catalunya With such important races as : Sant Cugat-Tibidabo, La Rabassada, Montserrat,Montseny, Sant Feliu de Codines …. Rallies also were popular with the Campeonato de España, and in Catalunya : Barcelona- Andorra,Girona, 2000 Virajes…. It was also raced in urban Circuits : Alcañiz and Granollers.

J.L.Sallent Ralli 2000 virajes J.Mª Juncadella –S.Feliu Start in Granollers

In these years we were in the family workshop specializing in shock absorbers,springs,leaf springs and ball joints. And also we were repairing racnig cars as : Paco Godia (AC Cobra V-8),Joaquin Escardó (BMW 700),Vittorio Lepori (Ford Lotus Cortina),”Norat” (Morris Cooper), Salvador Gisbert (Seat 850 E) ….. The Juncosa (father and son) were very important for preparations in the Seat Abarth vehicles,and also for its sporting successes. Brands like Nardi, Iresa and Conti were well know.

Paco Godia Up :Juncosa – Down : S.Gisbert Vittorio Lepori

My father was heavily involved in the automotive world, a part obtained more than 100 patents on shock absorbers, and also early member of The Club 4CV and Club 600. We traveled to England to distribute in Spain Armstrong products. A year later Armstrong install its new factory in Gijón. We distribute its products in Spain. Armstrong was one of the suplliers of schock absorbers for the Formula One.

Fr. left to right:Armstrong Racing staff,Manel (Secretary ).my Father and Armstrong Manager

This environment had a big influence on my future. Passionate about cars and racing, attendig races when i could. Classmates and friends participated in races as: Ramón Rossines,Juan Valles, Victor y Jose Mª Palomo,Jorge y Hansi Babler,”Pepe”Clot,Luis de Caralt, …. So i decided to become a professional in this activity,sharing the experience of my family,but creating my own business.

Victor Palomo- World Champion 750 riding Yamaha Hansi and Jorge Babler

Up : Hill Climb Paddock Down : La Rabassada Hill Climb Race

In March 1968 i open the new worshop Located in the center of Barcelona,has 1000 square meters. Speciality : suspension,sterring and brakes for passenger and racing cars. Eqipped with the most modern machinery of the time : -Wheel Alignment - Bee-Line (USA) -Wheel Balancing – Hofmann (Germany -Brake test – Triangle (UK) -Schock absorber test – Koni (Nederland) Warehouse parts and accesories: - Brake pads - Ball joint - Shock absorbers - Springs - Tires - Alloy wheels - Brake fluid - Brake cilinders Showroom and retail store

Koni shock absorbers testing. Hardness and resistance

In 1970 we created a Racing departament called : “Servicio de Competicion Armstrong-JSoler-Necto.” The head was Ramón Rossines, with Arturo Ferrando as mechanical. With a vehicle equipped with tools and spare parts went to the races involving our customers,repairing cars in the race,in terms of suspension and brakes. The service was a co-branding between Necto brake pads,Armstrong shock absorbers and us. Challengues was organized with prizes and drivers courses at the french circuit of Nogaro.

Presentation:- With Eli - Ernesto Garcia Necto Enginner with J.Fernandez - Audience

Until the year 1974 were many riders partipating in different races. We highlight some of their brilliant performances : 1967 – Ralli Costa Brava Alberto Bernaldo – Seat 850 1968 – 6 Horas de Barcelona : Joaquin Escardó – Simca 1000 de tomaso Jaime Alfonso Riviere – Seat 600 D Alberto Bernaldo – Seat 850 Coupé 1969 - Trofeo Seat : Carlos Loverdos – Seat 850 Coupe Salvador Gisbert – Seat 850 Coupe Ramón Rossines – Seat 600D Jaime Alfonso Riviere – Seat 850 especial 3 Horas Nacionales : Salvador Gisbert – Seat 850 Coupe

Some Races

1970 – Trofeo Seat : Salvador Bohigas – Seat 850/1430 J.M Xiol – Seat 850 especial Jesús Serra – Seat 1430 Salvador Gisbert – Seat 850 coupe II Trofeo Juan Jover : Joaquin Escardó – BMW 700 Rally de la Lana : Alberto Bernaldo - Seat 1430

1971 – 3 Horas Nacionales : José Luis Sallent – Renault r-8 Gordini Paco Soler – Renault R-8 Gordini Cto.Catalunya de Rallis Javier Brugé – Seat 1430 Salvador Bohigas – Seat 1430 1972 – Trofeo Escuderias Catalanas Ramón Rossines – Seat 1430

1973 – Trofeo Escuderias Catalanas : Carlos Omedes – Seat 1430/1600 J.M.Xiol – Seat 1430 José Ballaro – Seat 127 Alberto Bernaldo – Alpine A-110 Campeonato de Catalunya de Rallys : Javier Brugué – Seat 1430 1974- Trofeo Escuderias Catalanas: Ramón Rossines – Seat 1430 Vicente Nubiola – Seat 1430 Carlos Omedes – Seat 1430/1600 Amadeo Rottier – Seat 1430/1600 Copa Barcelona : Salvador Bohigas Seat 1430/1600

José Ballaro (72) with Seat 127 – Monjuich :Trofeo Escuderias Catalanas 1973

Antonio Zanini – Simca 1000/AutoSport – Trofeo Escuderias - Montjuic

Salvador Gisbert – Seat 850 Coupé – Ralli de la Lana

Alberto Bernaldo – Seat 124 – Ralli de La Lana

Cars prepared for us before the Trophy Seat

Vehicles prepared for us in the paddock

Up.Lf.:Cars in Montjuich - With Roura (Start Hill Climb Race - Up.Rg.:Race in Montjuich

Start Race F.Nacional 1430 – 1971 - Montjuic

From L. to R. : Jose Mª Palomo, Salvador Cañellas and Emilio R.Zapico

The Circuito del Jarama is a 3404 hm race course in Madrid.designed by John Hugenholtz (who also created Zandwood and Suzuka),the circuit was built by Alessandro Rocci in 1967. It had a short straight and most of the course consisted of tight,twisty corneres so overtaking was extremely difficult

The inaguration of The Jarama Circuit in 1967,was the firts permanent circuit in Spain.Was a big push for the Spanish motorsport.

Start a Race in the Jarama circuit

Selex Formula 3 – Driver Salvador Cañellas

At the end of the decade of the 70s, the motorsport is already well structured, national and international, with championships drivers,team,brands ….

Brands like that begin in 1970 with the Formula 1430, in 1971 Created a special department for motorsport, debuting in the 1972 in the World Rally Championship. Salvador Cañellas winning The Spanish Rally Championship , Antonio Zanini winning from 1973 to 1979 the Spanish marks Championship. Seat debut in the WRC in 1977 with the third and fourth positions in the Monte Carlo Rally.

Antonio Zanini – Petisco – Seat Team – Rally Montecarlo

THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF LARGE SPANISH DRIVERS,

AMONG OTHERS

Luis Perez Sala – Adrian Campos – Carlos Sainz – Roberto Mendez – Jorge de Bragation – Francesc Gutierrez – Fermin Velez – Balba Gonzalez Camino – Fernando Alonso – Dani Clos – Pedro Martinez de la Rosa – Josep Arque – Dani Juncadella – Jaime Alguersuari – Carlos Palau – Albert Castello – Salvador Servia – Josep Mª Servia - Nani Roma – Andres Vilariño – Jesus Pareja – Luis Monzon – Toñi Ponce – Marc Gene – Jordi Gene – Oriol Servia – Dani Sordo – Alfonso deOrleans – Javi Villa – Maria de Villota – Emilio de Villota – Josep Bassas -

And also a special recall of motor journalists that I have had the honor of knowing :

Paco Alguersuari – Javier del Arco – Francesc Roses – Josep Lluis Merlos – Paco Costas – Jordi Viñals – Raymon Blancafort – Jose Luis Cortijos , Mª Angels Pujol – Joan Aymami, Julio Costa – Jose luis Aznar ……..