BTCC set to star at Shelsley Walsh

Shelsley Walsh’s annual Classic Nostalgia event will feature a host of headline anniversary celebrations this year, including a special event to mark 65 years of the British Touring Car Championship – founded as the British Saloon Car Championship in 1958.

The Classic Nostalgia meeting runs on July 22-23 and, while aimed predominantly at pre-1971 vehicles, this year’s will also have a modern twist thanks to an injection of touring car excitement.

Shelsley is in the process of gathering a selection of different cars from across the BTCC’s history, from early Austins and Fords through to Lotus Cortinas, Group A racers like the Sierra Cosworth and Rover Vitesses to Super Touring beasts and even the current crop of NGTC-spec cars.

And it’s not just tin-tops that will get the anniversary treatment, as the event will also mark 90 years of the ERA marque. ERA (English Racing Automobiles) was founded in 1933 and raced until 1954, with many of its voiturette single-seaters enjoying great success at Shelsley Walsh. Raymond Mays became the first driver to break the 40sec barrier on the course with his 1.5-litre ERA during the May 1935 meeting, before eventually setting the final course record before the outbreak of World War II with a 37.37sec run in ERA R4D.

There will also be displays to mark 60 years of British manufacturers McLaren and Mini, with the giant-killing Mini Cooper S hitting the six-decade milestone this year. The Mini is perhaps most synonymous with its famous Monte Carlo Rally victory in 1964, but has also been a star on the circuits.

The event will also feature the return of Ralli22, which will showcase 22 of the best British-run, -designed or -built rally cars, including Group A, B and WRC machinery.