Motor Racing Legends Acquires HRDC

Aythorpe Promotions Limited, the company that only recently acquired Motor Racing Legends, has announced the acquisition of the HRDC.  The move sees the MRL leadership team, led by chairman Shaun Lynn and CEO Pierre-Antoine Lecoutour, take the helm alongside HRDC founder Julius Thurgood.

“HRDC has been an ally of Motor Racing Legends for more than a decade,” says Thurgood, founder of the HRDC, whose strapline is ‘No frills, just the thrills.’  “With that long-standing alliance, and the trust I have in Shaun’s approach to historic racing, this was a natural progression.  I am committed to running HRDC going forward.  I would like to reassure all HRDC members that nothing will change in the day to day running of the HRDC.  The usual team will be on hand at all HRDC events.”

In the UK the HRDC is known graass roots racing and great variety on full grids

“I’m thrilled, because this is a huge opportunity to help shape historic motor racing from the grassroots up,” said Lecoutour.  “HRDC offers something unique, and no one has any plans to change that.  Instead, as Julius said, we are going to pool our knowledge to ensure the best competitor experience possible, respecting what has made each organisation so successful along the way.”

“I first raced with Julius more than 20 years ago,” added Lynn.  “I have the utmost respect for what he’s accomplished over the years and it’s vital to preserve what HRDC brings to the table.  Historic motor racing is enormously important to me personally and, as organisers, I want us to provide the best platform we possibly can for any potential entrant.  We’ve got a huge knowledge and experience base as a group, and now we have a unique chance to put that to work.”

The HRDC runs four series: Gerry Marshall Trophy, for pre-1983 Group 1 Touring Cars; The Dunlop Allstars (pre-1966 sports cars); The Alfa Romeo Challenge; and the Jack Sears Trophy (for pre-1966 Touring Cars).

The HRDC’s racing season begins, appropriately, alongside Motor Racing Legends at the Donington Historic Festival on 2-4 May.  Both organisations will keep their separate calendars for 2025 (see the Historic Motor Racing News website for the full MRL and HRDC calendars).