The Motor Sport Month - Historic News
‘Other’ Austin F1 race blooms
A grid of 30 1966-83 Formula 1 cars from the Historic Grand Prix group proved a popular support to the revival of the United States GP at the Circuit of the Americas in November.
The 10-lap HGP event was won by former Formula Atlantic star Dan Marvin aboard Phil and Kathy Reilly’s 1974 Brabham BT44.
Marvin qualified fourth, took the lead on lap four, and pulled away to win from poleman David Martinez in Rudi Junco’s 1980 Arrows A3. Third went to Charles Nearburg’s 1980 Williams FWO7B with twotime Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk finishing sixth in a 1979 McLaren M29.
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Classic event to tour Iberia
Spain and Portugal get a new classic race and rally tour with the announcement of Targa Iberia in late October and early November.
The brainchild of Spanish motor sport promoter Jesus Pozo, Targa Iberia will be run for GT, sports cars and touring cars from up to 1986 and the tour will capitalise on growing interest in historic motor sport in the region.
“This will be something new for competitors,” said Pozo. Four race tracks are on the schedule, with a regularity rally running alongside.
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Thruxton F2 races revived
A race for Historic Formula 2 cars looks sure to top the bill at a new classic racing festival at Thruxton over the Easter weekend in 2013.
The event on March 30/31 is intended to be the first in an annual series of classic race meetings at the Hampshire track, where the European Formula 2 Championship was an Easter tradition through the 1970s and 1980s. Pre-1978 1600cc and 2-litre F2 cars will feature in a highlight race, while other series will likely include the Martini Trophy for 1970s 2-litre sports cars.
The Thruxton event is the most significant new development for the Historic Sports Car Club’s busiest ever season, which includes high-profile meetings on the Silverstone and Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuits.
“I’m delighted with the 2013 calendar,” said HSCC boss Grahame White. “I’m particularly excited about the new event at Thruxton as it is a track that has a very special place in my memories.”
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BTCC to be celebrated at Birmingham show
The story of British Touring Car racing will be celebrated in a special display at Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham (January 10-13).
Organised by the Historic Sports Car Club, the display will be a focal point in the historic motor sport arena and will include cars from the late 1950s through to the Super Touring era of the late 1990s. It is planned to have at least one significant car from each decade and already confirmed are an ex-Bill McGovern Hillman Imp and a car from Alan Mann Racing.
In addition, the club is inviting all surviving former BTCC champions to attend, along with other leading drivers from the popular tintop series. The drivers are being invited to visit the stand during Friday morning.
“We hope to have up to eight cars spanning five decades,” said Grahame White of the HSCC. “We’ve also located the Austin A105 Westminster that Jack Sears used to win the first championship in 1958.”
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Rally champs to go on Safari
Two of the greatest Swedish rally drivers of all time will team up to contest November’s Safari Classic Rally as part of a six-car Porsche team run by Banbury-based Team Tuthill.
Bjorn Waldegird will defend his 2011 victory in a classic 911 on one of the toughest rallies in the world and will be joined by Stig Blomqvist in a similar car.
Waldegird and Blomqvist will head Team Tido, which is raising funds for African charities.
Team principal David von Schinkel will drive another of the cars, while Roger Samuelsson, Christer Johansson and a sixth driver yet to be announced will complete the line-up.
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Track day plan for Montlhery
Classic cars will return to the famous Autodrome de Montlhery in March for a track day for classic sports, saloon and GT cars.
Though no longer used for racing, the banked track in the Paris suburbs remains one of the most evocative venues in French motor racing history. Montlhery opened for racing in 1925 and finally closed just 10 years ago.
The annual ‘Coupes de Printemps’ will run on Saturday March 23 using the full circuit, including the banking. It is open to all pre-72 cars, but there is no element of competition. More details are available by e-mailing flavienmarcais@hotmail.fr
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Lotus theme for Race Retro
The 50th anniversary of the first World Championship title for Jim Clark and Team Lotus will be celebrated during the 10th running of Race Retro, the annual Historic Motor Sport Show at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, from February 22-24.
In 1963 Jim Clark dominated the World Championship with his Lotus 25 and Lotus also won the first of seven constructors’ titles. That landmark achievement will be marked with a display of cars from Classic Team Lotus. Pride of place will go to the ex-Clark Lotus 25 chassis R4, now owned by John Bowers, and chassis R5, now owned by Nick Fennell. Other cars from the Jim Clark story are due to be present.
To celebrate 65 years since he started commentating on motor sport, Murray Walker OBE, will make his Race Retro debut to visit the show on Saturday and Sunday. He will appear on the interview stage for Q&A sessions as well as signing autographs.