Pre-‘63 GT is Back!

Much copied, the original series for Pre-‘63 GT cars is back on the calendar.  Originally conceived by Carol Spagg of Historic Motor Racing News and Ben Cussons of the Royal Automobile Club to allow cars such as Lotus Elites, 356 Porsches, SZ Alfas, MGA Twincams, Turners, Reliants and other interesting and rarely-seen cars that once raced in abundance in the TT and other high profile events to race in a gentlemanly environment without having to constantly monitor their mirrors for fast-approaching continuation Cobras or lightweight E-types, four races are offered to drivers of these cars this year.  There will be a class for Aston Martins, Cobras, E-types and other larger-engined cars, but it will be strictly limited to cars in pre-1963 specification.  The series will have its own dedicated scrutineer, who will closely examine all the cars before they are allowed into the race.  

Having taken a year out, it became evident that drivers of genuine cars want somewhere to race.  “In my life as a historic motor sport magazine editor,  I hear so much from competitors about how they miss the days before all the cars became so highly developed and so many teams hire professional drivers to move them up the grid.  We are not against competitive people doing their best to try and win.  We expect it.  However, we don’t want professional drivers entered for the sole purpose of winning.  We will encourage owner-drivers and pros will be handicapped at the pitstop,”  said Carol Spagg, who, along with Ben Cussons will not be involved in the day-to-day admin of the series but will be overseeing the regulations and eligibility.

“You have asked for it, now we ask you to put in your entries and enjoy great racing with great cars,’ said Spagg.  As in the previous two years, Motor Racing Legends will be administering the series and coordinating entries.  More information and full regulations will be published soon.  In the meantime, you can  email Gillian Carr at Motor Racing Legends to register your interest gillian@motorracinglegends.com.

The four races will be

4-5 May Donington Historic Festival 

29-30 June Snetterton Classic                      

23-25 August Silverstone Festival                    

19-20 October MRL Silverstone GP   

Icing on the Cake

A staunch supporter of the ethic and idea of the series from the beginning, the Royal Automobile Club will be at the Silverstone Festival to once again award one of the most prestigious prizes in historic motorsport, the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars, to a Pre-‘63 GT competitor.

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