Selex Competition

Selex Competition was a Spanish constructor of racing cars under various brands. The company currently produces dampers and shocks.

Selex Competition
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1960
FounderMiquel Molons Ximenos
Headquarters
Les Franqueses del Vallès
,
Spain

History

1960's
Artes Campeador

Miquel Molons Ximenos built up experience in building all types of dampers in the nineteen fifties. Molons built his first car in 1958. When karting made its way to Europe, Molons embraced the new sport. A kart racing team was founded. The team raced in various Catalan championships until its dissolution in 1965. Selex was founded by Miquel in 1960 as an engineering workshop. In 1965 the first car was constructed. The Selex ST 1 was a prototype built according to Spanish Formula 4 regulations of that time. The car had a spaceframe chassis and was fitted with a Ducati 175 Sport engine which produced 28hp. Molons completed various test runs at a kart circuit near Pedralbes.[1] After the prototype José Artés de Arcos S.A proposed funding to build another Formula 4 car, the Artes Cheetah. This car featured a monocoque chassis and was built to fit engines from all domestic engine producers. These were at the time Ducati, Ossa, Bultaco and Montesa. One special Cheetah was fitted with a Honda engine and given to Prince Rainier of Monaco. The Cheetah's built according to Formula 3 specifications were fitted with 1000cc SEAT 850 engines. In 1967 a Cheetah fitted with a Cosworth engine was tested by Jorge de Bagration. The car was intended to compete at the XI Coupe Internationale de Vitesse des Formule 3 at Reims-Gueux but the car did not made the start. At the Barcelona Motor Show Selex and Arcos de Artes unveiled the Artes Campeador. The monocoque chassis was built by Selex at their workshop located at the Carrer de Cosega in Barcelona. The fiberglass body was constructed by Zipo, a company led by Francisco Guitart. The final assembly was at the Arcos de Artes plant. The car was originally fitted with a 1500cc SEAT engine but this was replaced by a Gordini engine. A fire at the Zipo workshop destroyed all molds for the bodywork. This prevented any more Campeadors from being built. Jaume Xifré designed a new Formula 3 car the following year. The ST 2 was fitted with a Renault engine to compete in Formula 3. The car was tested by Forcano Xavier and Ernesto García at the Jarama Circuit. The car was intended to race at the VII Trofeo Juan Jover in Barcelona but the Renault engine did not get through customs. Selex sold the chassis to Antonio Maduro who intended it to race in domestic series. Maduro commissioned Selex to build another sports car, the Cordobán. The Cordobán was based on the SEAT 124.

1970's

A new Selex ST 2 was fitted with a Novamotor Formula 3 engine. The car was tested at Nogaro by Swiss driver Jurg Dubler. Salvador Cañellas debuted the car at the Coupe de Printemps, the first round of the French Formula 3. Canellas was one of six drivers not to qualify for the race.[2] This performance was repeated during round 2, the VII Coupe de Vitesse 1970 at Pau.[3] At Montjuïc Park the Selex qualified for its first race. However an engine failure prevented the Selex to complete a lap.[4] Selex retreated for a short period from Formula 3. This decision came after Cañellas decided to focus on his motorcycle racing career and SEAT launching the Formula 1430. Xifré designed the ST 3 to race in the new Formula 1430. Over half the field raced Selex cars. Their first victory came during the last round in the hands of Paco Josa. The championship was won by Paco Josa piloting a Selex ST 3. From 1972 to 1976 the Selex ST 3 and its evolutions won all the races in the Formula 1430. After the success of Formula 1430 SEAT launched the Formula 1800 in 1974. Javier Juncadella won the inaugural championship in a Selex in fierce competition with Martini. The following year the Selex ST 4 competed in the Eurocup Formula Renault with José Luis Ferrer but with no notable results. Martini beat Selex to the title in the 1975 and 1976 Formula 1800 championship with Juan Villacieros. After this season the Formula 1800 folded. Selex got a request by Van Hool to build a Formula 2 car in 1974. The car was manufactured at the Van Hool plant in Zaragoza. The cars designer, Jaume Xifré, tested the car at Circuit Zolder in 1975. The Van Hool Formula 2 car was Xifré last project for Selex as he left the company in 1975. Francisco Guitart was his successor and he introduced a new Formula 1430 car in 1975, the ST 5. The new car was regularly beaten by the old ST 3 chassis. A new Formula 3 car was introduced in 1978. Miguel Molons, Jr. intended to race the ST 7 in the European Formula 3. But a lack of funding prevented him making his debut. The car was converted into a Formula 1430 car. Manuel Valls won the championship in the ST 7 in 1979.

1980's

With a lack of interest by SEAT in the Formula 1430 the continuity of the series was in jeopardy. Selex decided not to build any more Formula 1430 cars. Molons gave new life to the dampers business. Enrique Llobell won the Formula 1430 title in the ST 7 in 1980. The following year the title was won by Jose Luis Llobell, brother of Enrique, in the same car. The Formula 1430 folded in 1985. Ford asked Molons to design the cars for the new Formula Fiesta. Molons declined and the contract went to Juncosa. In 1981 Manuel Valls came to Selex to design a new Formula 3 car. The Toyota powered car was initially names the ST 9 and was later renamed the Avidesa. Avidesa was the main sponsor of the car. Manuel Valls debuted the car at Jarama in 1982. After being fasted in practice the car broke down and he could not start the race.[5] Adrian Campos, owner of Avidesa, and Jose-Luis Lobelli raced the car in 1983. Campos achieved the cars best result, at Jarama he achieved a seventh place.[6]

Recent history

After constructing racing cars Selex returned to constructing dampers and shocks which they still produce today. In 1998 Selex left their workshop in Barcelona and moved to Les Franqueses del Vallès.

Cars
YearModelRacing seriesNr. builtDesignerNote
1965Selex ST 1Formula 41Miquel Molons
1966Artes CheetahFormula 419Jaume Xifré
Formula 3
Formula Libre
1967Artes CampeadorGrand Tourer1Jaume XifréBuilt for Artés de Arcos
1968Selex ST 2Formula 33Jaume Xifré
1969Autotecnica CordobánGrand Tourer3Jaume XifréBuilt for Antonio Maduro
1970Selex ST 3Formula 143045Jaume Xifré
1973Selex ST 4Formula 180026Jaume Xifré
Eurocup Formula Renault
1974Van Hool VHM-1Formula 22Jaume XifréBuilt for Van Hool
1975Selex ST 5Formula 143025Francisco Guitart
1977Selex ST 6Formula 14301Francisco Guitart
1978Selex ST 7Formula 14301Francisco Guitart
Formula 3
1978Selex ST 8Formula 14301Francisco GuiFart
1981Selex AvidesaFormula 33Francisco GuFart

References
  1. "El primero de la saga" (PDF). Clásicos Exclusivos. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  2. "Coupe de Printemps 1970". Formula 2 Register. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  3. "VII Coupe de Vitesse 1970". Formula 2 Register. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  4. "Copa Salón Internacional del Automóvil de Fórmula 3 1970". Formula 2 Register. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  5. "Trofeo Marqués de Cubas 1982". Formula 2 Register. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  6. "Avidesa". F3 History. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
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