To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Maserati, Motor Racing Legends (MRL) and the Maserati Club UK are staging a historic Maserati race at this year’s Donington Historic Festival (May 3rd, 4th, 5th).
Running as a double header over two of the Festival’s three days, the Maserati Centenary Trophy is for all types of Maseratis and OSCAs built before 1966. This means that the race will be open to all pre-’66 single-seaters and sports cars, including all pre-War cars and cars powered by Maserati or OSCA engines.
The Italian marque’s history in motorsport goes back to 1926 - 12 years after its foundation in 1914 - when Alfieri Maserati took his Tipo 26 to class victory in that year's Targa Florio. This would be followed in 1927 by Maserati winning the Italian constructors' title and Alfieri’s brother Ernesto taking the Italian drivers' title. In the subsequent decades, Maserati would drive into the motorsport history books with a series of iconic models and success in Grand Prix and sportscar racing, two Indy 500 wins and victory in the 1957 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship for Fangio in the 250F.
Michael O'Shea, Racing Co-Ordinator for the Maserati Club UK, said: “The Maserati Centenary Trophy is the realisation of the Maserati Club UK’s ambition to hold such a special race in Britain to celebrate 100 years of Maserati. The challenge of marking this important occasion was taken up by Motor Racing Legends and the venue will be the magnificent Donington Park circuit during the Donington Historic Festival.
“It is entirely appropriate that this celebration is held at Donington Park because Maseratis have been racing there since the circuit opened in the 1930s. Later the track became the host to the annual Shell Ferrari Maserati Challenge and now the cars will return from all over Europe for the Donington Historic Festival. As more and more of these valuable cars are consigned to private collections and museums, this will be a rare opportunity to see a grid of cars from the 1930s to the 1960s all powered by engines built by Maserati or OSCA.”
Donington Historic Festival founder Duncan Wiltshire said, “This will be a fantastic race for spectators and drivers alike. To see a dedicated grid of historic models such as the 8CM, 250F, A6GCS and 300S out on track is something Festival visitors will never forget. It is particularly pleasing that Motor Racing Legends is working with the oldest Maserati club in the world to commemorate the marque’s anniversary in this way. The Maserati Club UK’s knowledge is an invaluable resource in organising such an event.”
Advance tickets on sale
The Donington Historic Festival offers world-class historic motorsport at family-friendly prices, with advance ticket discounts making the price of entry even more friendly. Advance tickets cost £20 for a Saturday, Sunday or Monday single day ticket, £32 for a Saturday + Sunday or Sunday + Monday 2-day ticket and just £45 for a 3-day weekend ticket. On-the-gate prices will be £25 for Saturday, Sunday or
Monday single day tickets, £40 for Saturday + Sunday or Sunday + Monday 2-day tickets and £60 for the 3-day weekend tickets. Kids aged 13 and under are admitted for free.
Advance discounted tickets can be bought via www.doningtonhistoric.com and through the 24-hour ticket hotline 0844 873 7355. Advance ticket sales close at 5pm on Wednesday, April 30th 2014.
There are also special discounts for members of car clubs that have registered with the Festival, and car club organisers are invited to register their club via the car club section on the event’s website to allow their members to enjoy these benefits.
With close-fought racing every day, over 400 historic racing cars spanning seven decades, historic rally car and karting action and a ‘living motoring museum’ created by dozens of car clubs displays, plus a host of other entertainment and attractions, exhilaration and entertainment is guaranteed on every day of the Festival.
To learn more about the Donington Historic Festival, or to plan your visit, doningtonhistoric.com.
