Tag: Thruxton Historic

Thruxton Circuit took a trip down memory lane and rolled back the years this past weekend (June 17/18) as a bumper crowd flocked trackside to savour the Hampshire venues annual Historic meeting. 

A regular fixture on the UK motorsport calendar having first debuted back in 2018 as part of the circuits 50th Anniversary celebrations, the two-day spectacle brought legendary machines and racers together for an adrenaline rush like no other. 

One of the headline acts of the weekend was undoubtedly the two-part Jochen Rindt Trophy, which celebrated the best single-seater race cars – with up to 2-litre engines – from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Anthony Hancock guided his Lola T670 to the top step of the podium in the opening contest ahead of Rory Smith and Ben Tilley before Smith came to the fore in race two, piloting his Ralt RT4 to a commanding victory of almost 20 seconds.

Italian flair was in full force courtesy of the Superformance Ferrari Club Classic Series as three different drivers – James Cartwright, Nicky Paul-Barron and Nigel Jenkins – enjoyed a share of the spoils that were on offer.

Elsewhere, Graham Fennymore reigned supreme in the HSCC Historic Formula Ford 2000 as he chalked up a brace of wins whilst Jonathan Abecassis clinched a narrow victory in the weekend’s only FISCAR contest.

Rounding out the race action were two bouts from the CCRC Mighty Minis Championship, which were won by David Kirkpatrick and Nevan Kirkpatrick, and the CMMC Classic Challenge, which saw Jack Smith and Grant Williams triumph.

Aside from the wheel-to-wheel track action, those in attendance were also treated to a number of high-speed demonstrations from the stars of the British Truck Racing Championship and Formula 1 cars from yesteryear; one of which was a 1993 Benetton that was previously driven by seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

In the paddock, Formula 1 teams Red Bull Racing and Alpine garnered plenty of attention with their static displays whilst a number of other iconic machines and car clubs also whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at this year’s Thruxton Historic, CLICK HERE.

Thruxton’s next major event takes place on July 8/9 as the British Truck Racing Championship thunders into town to headline the highly-anticipated Convoy on the Plain weekend. 

Advance tickets are available to purchase online here: https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/british-trucks. 

Thruxton Circuit has announced exciting new plans for the 2023 Historic meeting to deliver a wider cross-section of racing machinery and a greater on-track spectacle for the crowd.

In recent years, the Thruxton Historic has carved out its own place in the congested historic and classic racing calendar thanks to the support of Motor Racing Legends. For 2023, Thruxton will curate the race meeting content itself and the circuit has been overwhelmed by the interest shown from a number of series before any official announcement has been made.

Taking place on the 17/18 June, the Thruxton Historic will feature an array of evocative machinery including single-seaters, saloon cars and touring cars.

The first series to confirm is the spectacular Jochen Rindt Trophy for single-seat race cars from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Featuring early Formula 2, Historic & Classic F3s, Formula Atlantic, FF2000 and other invitation-class cars, the JRT was undoubtedly the star of the event this year and will return with its burgeoning grid.

Circuit Manager, Pat Blakeney, confirms the draw of the Hampshire venue:
“We are only able to host six meetings at year at Thruxton, so the opportunity to race here doesn’t come along all the time. As a result, we have had some really exciting approaches from championships, series and also groups of people who would like to come here next year as a one-off.

“We’re not so concerned with the ‘Historic’ label; we’re being open-minded about the content. It’s more important to get a quality retro event together that provides great racing for the competitors, and a brilliant spectacle for the crowds. We will also put a lot of effort into getting the entertainment package right off the circuit to make it a special atmosphere for the weekend.”

Further details of confirmed grids will be announced shortly. Interesting and serious enquiries will be welcomed to pat@thruxtonracing.co.uk

Thruxton Circuit rolled back the years this past weekend (June 11/12) as a bumper crowd flocked trackside to savour the annual Historic meeting. 

Now a regular fixture on the UK motorsport calendar having debuted back in 2018 as part of the venues 50th Anniversary celebrations, the two-day spectacle brought legendary machines and racers together for an adrenaline rush like no other. 

One of the headline acts of the weekend was undoubtedly the two-part Jochen Rindt Trophy, which celebrating the best single-seater race cars with up to 2-litre engines from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Race one saw a fascinating head-to-head battle take place between Benn Tilley and Rob Wainwright – with Tilley narrowly pipping him to the chequered flag by less than a second. Wainwright was able to strike back in the second bout however as he claimed victory ahead of Matthew Wright.

Outright honours in the HRDC ‘Classic Alfa Challenge’ went the way of James Wright whilst Jamie Boot guided his TVR Griffiths to the top step of the podium in the HRDC ‘Dunlop Allstars’ for Pre-’66 Sports GT & Touring Cars.

Whilst the latest crop of British Touring Car Championship racers starred up at Oulton Park, those at Thruxton wound back the clock courtesy of the HRDC Jack Sears Trophy. Neil Brown and Richard Dutton proved to be the perfect combination as they teamed up to pilot their Lotus Ford Cortina Mk.1 to the top step of the odium.

Tipped as one to watch in the lead up to the event, Ric Wood and his Nissan Skyline GTR delivered a mighty drive to claim outright honours in the Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy.

Pre-61 sportscars took centre stage in the one-hour RAC Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy race – and it didn’t disappoint. Boasting an eclectic mix of iconic machines, Ben Adam emerged as the driver to beat as he guided his Lola Mk1 to victory in commanding fashion.

Rounding out the list of race winners was Pippa Cow and Tom Walker, who scored a win apiece in the Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge, Andrew and Max Banks who triumphed in the Sixties Touring Car Challenge with U2TC and the duo of Wrigley and Wainwright, who were the victors of the sole Pre 63 GT & Jaguar Classic Challenge contest. 

Unmissable action also took place in the skies above during the course of the weekend as a new heritage aviation feature paid homage to the venues role in WW2 and its ongoing use as a training facility and home to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service.

One of the headline attractions was a flypast from the iconic Spitfire from the Battle of Britain whilst the equally jaw-dropping Augusta Bell Sioux and the Westland Scout, amongst many others, were on the ground and available to be viewed up close.

Elsewhere, a record number of car clubs were in attendance and on display for all to see across both days. Leading Land Rover clubs were out in force in particular as they played their part in the Land Rover Legends show, which celebrated the history of the marque in style. 

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at the Thruxton Historic, CLICK HERE. 

Thruxton’s next major event takes place on July 9/10 as the British Truck Racing Championship thunders into town to headline the highly-anticipated Convoy on the Plain weekend. 

Advance tickets are available to purchase for the titans of truck racing, as well as the upcoming BSB and BTCC, events via https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing. 

Thruxton Circuit produced an action-packed two days of nostalgia this past weekend (June 12/13) courtesy of the ‘Thruxton Historic’, which saw a mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative racing cars take centre stage.

Basked in glorious sunshine, the Hampshire venue opened its doors for the first time this year to welcome a limited number of spectators, all of which soaked up the variety of attractions both on and off the track.

Retro-themed thrills were the order of both days on-track, with a number of pulsating contests by the Motor Racing Legends and HRDC being produced for those in attendance.

In the RAC Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre ’61 Sportcars, the Lister Knobbly duo of Rob Smith and Chris Ward showcased their class by taking victory in emphatic fashion, doing so by more than 30 seconds.

James Cottingham and Harvey Stanley were the ones to beat in the Pre ’63 GT encounter, narrowly pipping Jack Minshaw at the end of an hours’ racing in their Jaguar E-Type.

There was high drama in the HRDC Liqui Moly Jack Sears Trophy as Tiff Needell looked to have victory in the bag before a mechanical issue befell him at the final corner on the last lap, costing him victory.

Roy Alderslade would benefit in his Lotus Ford Cortina to claim outright spoils whilst the duo of Needell and John Spiers could only hobble their Cortina across the line to claim second place.

James Colburn was the cream of the crop in the HRDC ‘Classic Alfa Challenge’ whilst Spiers piloted his Lister Knobbly to the top step of the podium in the HRDC ‘Dunlop Allstars’ for Pre-66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars encounter.

Spiers then partnered Needell again to reign supreme in the MRL Jaguar Classic Challenge, sharing driving duties in the sensational Jaguar E-Type Lightweight.

In the Historic Touring Car Challenge, just five seconds separated the top two at the end of a blockbuster opening 40-minute contest. At wheel of their Ford GA Capri, Adrian Willmott and Mark Farmer were the victors ahead of Andy Middlehurst and Jonathan Bailey.

Ric Wood would demonstrate his abilities in his Nissan Skyline GTR in race two as he got the better of Farmer and Willmott to score victory.

The Pre-War Sports Cars made their presence known too as the pairing of Gareth Burnett and Michael Birch navigated their Talbot AV105 Brooklands to the chequered flag first.

Capping off the track action were two races for the coveted Jochen Rindt Trophy. Celebrating the best single-seater race cars from the 60s, 70s & 80s, outright honours on the Saturday went the way of Matthew Wrigley in his March 79B.

Peter Williams came to the fore in race two to lift the famous trophy. At the wheel of the mighty Ralt RT1, Williams pipped Greg Roberston to victory and due to Wrigley being one of many unfortunate retirements, he wrapped up the Jochen Rindt Trophy as well.

Away from the racing there was plenty to see and do around the venue with parades, car clubs adorning spectators bankings and a trade village. One of the star attractions was situated on the Skid Pan in the shape of the Land Rover Legends.

To view the full classification of results from the Thruxton Historic, CLICK HERE.

Thruxton Circuit is set to welcome back spectators for the first time in 2021 this coming weekend (June 12/13), with those in attendance set to take a spirited trip down memory lane as part of the now annual ‘Thruxton Historic’.

Debuting in 2018 as part of the venues 50th Anniversary celebrations, the now-titled Thruxton Historic brings together legendary machines and racers to the fastest circuit in the UK for an adrenaline rush like no other.

As UK government restrictions continue to ease, a limited number of fans will head to the Hampshire venue across both days to witness a mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative racing cars go wheel-to-wheel.

On-track, one of the standout races over the course of the weekend will undoubtedly be the Jochen Rindt Trophy. Celebrating the best single-seater race cars from the 60s, 70 & 80s, the

Fans of touring cars from yesteryear will be well-catered for as well with the Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy, Sixties Touring Car Challenge with U2TC and HRDC Liqui Moly Jack Sears Trophy all in action.

Additional retro-themed thrills and spills will be provided by the HRDC Allstars’, HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge, Jaguar Classic Challenge, Pre ’63 GT, Pre-War Sports Cars and the RAC Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre ’61 Sportscars.

It won’t just be the racing that makes up the spectacle at the Thruxton Historic this weekend though, with plenty of things to see and do off-track as well.

Ensuring that there is fun to be had by the whole family, those in attendance will be able to see a number of different car displays and parades, wander around the trade village and take advantage of free camping.

Over at the Skid Pan, fans will find the Land Rover Legends. In what is the ultimate show for Land Rover enthusiasts, the Land Rover Legends will showcase the very best examples of the marque including several rare and unusual vehicles from the Dunsfold Collection, a founding partner of the event.

This year includes unique feature displays, the leading Land Rover clubs, an exclusive Land Rover parade around the circuit, specialist exhibitors and traders and the National Land Rover Awards.

Tickets for this weekend’s Thruxton Historic are on-sale now. To find out more information head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/historic.

Information on the venues COVID-19 guidelines can be found via https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/covid-19-information. 

Spectators were able to return trackside at Thruxton Circuit this past weekend (August 15/16) for the first time since motorsport resumed in July and they weren’t to be disappointed as they enjoyed two days of high-speed nostalgic racing at the Thruxton Historic.

Welcoming enthusiastic race-goers, the fastest circuit in the UK played host to a stunning display of classic cars as well as eye-catching racing machines – making it a weekend to remember.

The Automobiles Historiques GT & Sports Car Cup provided plenty of entertainment but it was the Austin Healy 3000 pairing of Mark Holme and Jeremy Welch that proved too hot to handle, triumphing by more than 40 seconds at the chequered flag.

Richard Merrell reigned supreme in the HRDC ‘Classic Alfa Challenge’ for 750-116 Alfa Romeos whilst the Ford Mustang duo of David Coyne and Adrian Miles scored victory in the HRDC ‘Jack Sears Trophy’ for Touring Cars 1958 – 1966 in a breathtaking encounter.

There was unrelenting wheel-to-wheel action in the HRDC ‘Thermex Allstars’ for pre-66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars race too which saw David Smithies triumph at the wheel of his Cobra Daytona.

Current British Touring Car Championship star Rory Butcher was another to taste stand on the top step of the podium as he teamed up with Jon Minshaw to drive a Jaguar E-Type to first place in the Motor Racing Legends Pre 63 GT.

Arguably one of the standout races came from the Motor Racing Legends Pre-War Sports Cars. Harking back to the early days of four-wheeled racing, the 23-lap encounter had those in attendance on the edge of their seats and they would see Patrick Blakeney-Edwards and Mike Grant Peterkin claim the win.

Meanwhile, the Motor Racing Legends Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy saw Ben Adams in unstoppable form as he clinched a dominant victory from behind the wheel of his Lola Mk1.

Rounding out the weekend’s retro-themed action were two races from the Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy and Sixties Touring Car Challenge with U2TC.

Combining the results from both races, Blakeney-Edwards and Gregor Fiskin emerged produced a sensational performance to walk away as the victors in their Rover SD1.

To view the full classification of results from the 2020 Thruxton Historic, click here.

Thruxton will now welcome the British Racing & Sports Cars Club on August 22/23 before the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads to Hampshire on September 19/20.

Find out more about information on Thruxton’s race meetings, driving experiences and the latest on our coronavirus guidelines by visiting www.thruxtonracing.co.uk .

Thruxton Circuit will reverberate to the sounds of historic and classic motor racing machines this weekend (August 15/16) as it takes a spirited trip down memory lane for the eagerly anticipated ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting.

Originally scheduled to take place on June 6/7 before the coronavirus pandemic caused calendars to be revised, the two-day spectacle will welcome a limited number of spectators trackside for the first time since lockdown restrictions were eased.

Extensive measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of all staff and visitors will be in place throughout the venue, including the implementation of strict social distancing and other preventative measures such as clear signage, hand sanitiser stations and enhanced cleaning products.

Aiming to build on the success of last year’s Motorsport Celebration, Thruxton Historic will feature a mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative racing cars going wheel-to-wheel around the fastest track in the UK.

Confirmed to take centre stage over the course of the weekend include bumpers grids from the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy, Stirling Moss Trophy, HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge, Pre ’63 GT, Historic Touring Car Challenge and the GT & Sports Car Cup – to name but a few.

In addition to the on-track entertainment, those in attendance will be able to cast their eye over a number of stunning classic car displays, situated around the picturesque Hampshire venue.

To read what Thruxton is doing to keep its visitors and colleagues safe this weekend, click here.

Further information on the 2020 Thruxton Historic meeting can be found here.