This weekend's United States Grand Prix will bring back many memories for those members of the team who were present in Phoenix, Arizona, 12 years ago when the team made its Formula One debut.  In 1991 the US GP was the opening round of the World Championship and the tiny Jordan team, with a total workforce of just over 40 staff, made the trip to debut the Jordan Ford 191 resplendent in the green livery of then-title sponsor 7Up.

With the competitive Ford Cosworth HB series customer engine in the back of the Gary Anderson-designed Jordan 191, the team endured a baptism of fire when it was forced to take part in pre-qualifying on the Friday morning - a session when the smaller teams had a single session in which to 'qualify' in order to participate for the rest of the weekend - such was the size of the entry in those days.

Only four places were available to 'prequalify' and when Jordan's Andrea de Cesaris failed to make the cut he was out for the weekend.  Belgian Bertrand Gachot was therefore Jordan's only entrant for the remainder of the event but he performed extremely well to line up 14th on the 26 car grid.  Pole position went to the McLaren of Ayrton Senna with Alain Prost alongside in his Ferrari, the William-Renaults of Riccardo Patrese and Nigel Mansell filling the second row.

The race netted Gachot and 7Up Jordan Ford 10th place classified finish although the car actually only completed 73 laps before stopping with engine problems.  Still it had been a strong showing with Gachot has high as 7th at one point.

Next year will of course see the return of the Ford name with Jordan, and not only will the new Jordan Ford bring back memories of that famous 1991 debut but the story will be made complete by the renewed involvement in the team of Gary Anderson - Director of Race and Test Engineering - who is working alongside the team's Director of Design and Development Henri Durand on the all-new Jordan Ford EJ13.  Several of the teams mechanics, including Andy Stevenson, Nick Burrows and Phil Howell, are also still key figures 12 years on, and no doubt hoping for success in America - this year and next.