News in brief, February 2005

The 25th Lotus Owners Gathering in America will be held at St Louis from August 26-29. The headline attraction will be a class for single-seaters during a track day at Gateway International Raceway on the 29th.

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The Belgian round of the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship has moved dates: it’s now over the weekend of September 17-18. This new date for the Tour of Flanders avoids a clash with the Belgian Grand Prix.

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Nomad racer Terry Davison has taken on the role of UK representative for the Orwell Supersports Cup. The series will have a stand at the Stoneleigh show in February: on display will be the Lola B22 of Peter Schleifer. Davison can be reached on 01267 290917

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The New Zealand Formula 5000 Challenge series resumes over the weekend of February 5-6 with a pair of races at the Ruapuna circuit near Christchurch. Another double-header follows a week later at Teretonga.

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Mario Andretti has been named grand marshal for Road America’s Brian Redman International Challenge. The July 14-17 event, one of the largest in the USA, will feature Formula One and Can-Am races as well as events for historic and vintage sportscars.

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The Group 4 series has been retitled World Sportscar Masters to fit in with its sister Grand Prix Masters series. The sportscar series was acquired by Ron Maydon late last year and will now regularly feature alongside the F1 cars.

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Former Brabham designer Ron Tauranac has been awarded the Phil Irving Award for the second time. Introduced by CAMS in 1994, it recognises achievements by Australian engineers working in competitive motorsport.

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Nominations for the International Historic Motorsport Awards are now open ahead of the awards dinner on February 26. Categories include best historic race meeting, best championship and best race and rally drivers of the year. Nominations can be sent by e-mail to: donpatgriffiths@aol.com