Matters of moment, July 2004

The 50th anniversary of the first victory for Team Lotus is to be celebrated in an event at the Hethel test track in Norfolk on Sunday July 18.

Around 20 Formula One cars from the company’s history will be demonstrated, while many former drivers and team personnel are expected to attend.

Team Lotus was created in 1954 by Colin Chapman and first entered a race when three cars contested the British Empire Trophy race at Oulton Park: Chapman (MkVIII), Mike Anthony and Peter Gammon (both in MkVls) drove on that occasion. Chapman scored the team’s first win at Silverstone in the sportscar race that supported the British Grand Prix on July 17, 1954.

Fifty years on, Colin’s son Clive, who runs Classic Team Lotus, has organised a day to commemorate the team’s famous history. “It’s going to be very special,” he said.

******

IMSA racers for Group C Series

Three cars from America’s IMSA series will be racing in Group C/GTP events this summer.

A pair of Ford Mustang GTP cars and the Intrepid GTP in which Brian deVries won the 2003 HSR Historic GTP/ Group C Championship are lining up to take part in the series.

Richard and Benton Bryan have raced their Mustangs extensively in America during recent seasons, but the four-cylinder ex-Klaus Ludwig/ Bobby Rahal car and its V8 sister will be making their European debuts.

In addition, De Vries and Jade Pig Racing have brought their 1991 Intrepid over to compete. The car, which was originally built by Pratt and Miller, uses a 750bhp 6.5-litre Chevrolet engine.

******

Can R4D shave more from Shelsley’s record

Mac Hulbert’s continued assault on the pre-war hill record with ERA R4D will again be the focal point of the annual MAC/VSCC meeting at Shelsley Walsh on July 4.

A year ago, Hulbert, aboard the ex-Raymond Mays car, pared nearly a quarter of a second from the record held by David Morris, to leave it at 34.05sec. Hulbert believes that a sub-34sec climb is now possible. James Baxter will again lead the ERA chase in his Frazer Nash single-seater.

The vintage Shelsley meeting typically draws big crowds and a capacity entry, with special attention given to the innovative Shelsley Specials that proliferated at the Worcestershire hill before WWII.

Practice starts at 9.30am, with timed runs from 2pm.

******

US expansion for Lola

Lola Heritage, created to support use of pre-1990 cars of the marque, is expanding into the US. It’s also appointed Glyn Jones as its European co-ordinator.

Lola boss Martin Birrane said: ‘We are offering owners a close relationship with the factory and access to genuine Lola parts.”

Birrane is also negotiating with a leading US race preparation company to have a presence at all major American classic and historic events.