1963 Lotus 22 Formula Junior
Chassis 22-J-52 is one of 77 Lotus 22 Formula Junior cars built, and was the eighth of ten acquired new by the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School at Snetterton, where it formed part of a fleet used to train generations of future professionals. After leaving the school in 1985 it passed to Italy, where it was campaigned actively at Monza, Imola, and the Nürburgring through the early 2000s. A comprehensive two-year home restoration completed around 2015 returned the car to full running order, and it carries valid FIA HTP papers to 2028.
Ownership
- 2025-02-22Auction saleSold £33,000 (≈ $41K)
- → 1985Factory deliveryJim Russell Racing Drivers Schoolpartial documentation
One of ten Lotus 22s purchased by the school for use at Snetterton; the car was used regularly in the school's five-day-a-week driver-training programme alongside future prominent racing names.
- → 1985Acquisition unknownKen Boothpartial documentation
Facilitated the sale of the car from the UK into Italy in 1985; exact tenure as owner is unclear from the prose.
- 1985 → 2013Private saleAllessandra Ripamontipartial documentation
Italian owner who raced the car frequently at Monza, Imola, and the Nürburgring from 1992 through 2007; sold it in 2013.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Purchased from Italy and undertook a thorough two-year restoration; selling due to medical reasons preventing further racing participation.
Competition
- 2018Silverstone International
Described as the car's last significant competitive outing following its post-restoration period of limited racing use.
- —Monza (unspecified events)Driver: Allessandra Ripamonti
Car raced at Monza on multiple occasions between 1992 and 2007 under Italian ownership.
- —Imola (unspecified events)Driver: Allessandra Ripamonti
Car raced at Imola on multiple occasions between 1992 and 2007 under Italian ownership.
- —Nürburgring (unspecified events)Driver: Allessandra Ripamonti
Car raced at the Nürburgring on multiple occasions between 1992 and 2007 under Italian ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive two-year home restoration covering engine and gearbox rebuild, chassis straightening and repair, replacement of fuel and oil tanks, new wiring harness, and renewal of wheel bearings.
Work was undertaken by the current vendor following purchase in 2013, with the project taking approximately two years to complete.
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