John Sprinzel, the mercurial founder of the famous 'SPEEDWELL' tuning concern, which put the cheeky Austin A35 firmly on the race tracks in the late 1950s, has accepted the role as Patron of the HRDC ACADEMY.

In a letter of acceptance to Julius Thurgood, founder of this entry-level historic race series, Sprinzel sums up why he was eager to accept the role as Patron of the HRDC ACADEMY:

"I would be honoured to become Patron of the HRDC Academy, and have followed your A35 program for some time now. I wish you continued success with your series, which seems to be now, as it was then, an inexpensive and thrilling way to go racing. Aloha. John."

With some 24 HRDC ACADEMY cars currently under build and six completed cars already entered in a special class within the HRDC 'Touring Greats' race at Brands Hatch on the 6 June, the momentum which will take these evenly-matched historic race cars to a 'stand-alone' series in 2016 is fast gaining ground.

HRDC Race Director, Julius Thurgood, is more than upbeat about how this innovative 'one-make' historic race series is taking shape: "We have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure that we have developed the HRDC ACADEMY racer to its full potential. There is nothing like proving a race car out on track, so that's exactly what we have done and our development car is proving to be a giant-killer. With some 12 trouble-free race hours now completed on its original engine, having only routine maintenance to support it, we also have the economics proven! Hopefully, the endorsement of the very man who inspired me to create the HRDC ACADEMY will encourage more people to join in this accessible historic race series."

The HRDC will be presenting an 'All A30/35' race at Mallory Park on 26 September, as a curtain-raiser for a stand-alone race series for HRDC ACADEMY cars in 2016. Entry for the HRDC 'Flying A Trophy' race is already open. Entry forms are available to download from the HRDC website.