News in brief, April 2004

Gerry Birrell’s daughter Kara was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and she is now actively raising funds for charity. Any admirers of her late father who might have items suitable for auction or would like to sponsor an upcoming parachute jump can contact Kara or her mother, Margaret by e-mail at tingh413@hotmail.com.

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Williams technical director Patrick Head is intrigued as to the whereabouts of the Michael Head Trophy, which was awarded by the Jaguar Drivers’ Club in honour of his father. The trophy is of an unusual three-handled design and was originally designed as a horse racing prize. We will forward any information.

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Jason and Guy Minshaw will again field their Merlyn Mk20s in the HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship this year and will be joined in a third car by former XR2 racer, Matt McMullen.

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Regulations for the Roger Albert Clark Rally are due in April. The historic stage rally, designed to re-live the RAC Rallies of the 1970s and 1980s, will be open to a maximum of 180 cars and will be made up of 200 forest and 50 asphalt stage miles from its Sheffield base.

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Keith Martin plans to return his unique Dulon-Porsche to racing this season in the Classic Endurance Series. The car which last raced in 1997, was built in 1971 when commissioned by Martin Ridehalgh. Having been damaged against the Silverstone pit wall in 2002, it has been rebuilt by members of the original Dulon team.

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The Classic F3 cars will have stand-alone races with the HSCC once more in 2004 following a surge in support for the 1600cc and early 2-litre cars. The series will support a contemporary F3 round at Brands in October.