Image: © MR
Brands Hatch marked its Century of Power in style. The inaugural London Historic Trophy lived up to expectations, with 300 race cars on track and summery weather throughout the weekend. Next stop: Charade, France.
The inaugural London Historic Trophy lived up to expectations, with 300 race cars on track and summery weather throughout the weekend.
Pre'66 GT Sprint
Could there have been a better way to celebrate Brands Hatch’s “Century of Power”? More than 300 cars, many of which have shaped the circuit’s history, gathered this weekend thanks to Motor Racing Legends. Even the Williams FW11, with which Nigel Mansell crossed the finish line to win the 1986 Formula One British Grand Prix - the last to take place here at Brands Hatch - was present!
One week after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, fifteen Group C cars extended the show. These demonstrations notably featured a Sauber-Mercedes C9, identical to the one that won here in 1989 in the hands of Mauro Baldi and Kenny Acheson. The latter, who had not driven on a circuit for 30 years, returned to the wheel of “his” Silver Arrow.
The MRL Drivers Club then rocked- out on Saturday evening with a high energy performance from the RPJ Band. Born entertainer, Rick Parfitt Junior, got everyone on their feet as they danced the night away; it was a night to remember.
Two new grids launched
On the racing side, 14 grids followed one another on track, delivering spectacular battles broadcast live; which are still available here. Among the highlights was the first victory for the father-daughter duo Andy and Nicole Wolfe in the now-famous Generations Trophy. Also of note was Lukas Halusa’s superb comeback in the Jaguar E-Type “Low Drag” in the very first Pre-’66 GT Sprint race, which saw a 36-car entry. Only Mike Whitaker, in a TVR Griffith, ultimately held him off to the chequered flag.
Tribute to Guy Edwards
The new 2-Litre Sportscars series debuted on Sunday afternoon, with a one-hour race in blazing sunshine. In a fitting tribute to the recently departed Guy Edwards, two of his former cars were entered, with one victorious in the hands of Chris Ward. Ward drove the Lola T292, in which Edwards won the 1973 Trophées d’Auvergne at the Circuit de Charade, with Gonçalo Ramos and James Claridge in the T296 he drove to victory at the final round of the 1977 World Championship.
Next rendez-vous: Charade
Dormant for decades, the prestigious Trophées d’Auvergne will return in three weeks, as a brand-new historic festival from Motor Racing Legneds, with enthusiastic approval from the ASACA (Association Sportive de l’Automobile Club d’Auvergne). From endurance, via touring cars, to Formula 1, all the disciplines that have marked the history of the Circuit de Charade will be on track for the organiser’s first meeting on French soil.
Guy Edwards tribute
Kenny Acheson, after his demonstration in the Sauber-Mercedes C9: “I wasn’t particularly quick. In my defence, I should say that yesterday marked my return to a racetrack after a 30-year absence. Honestly, everything felt quite natural. It’s remarkable how many people have come up to me saying they were here at Brands Hatch in 1989, or at my first 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year. They’ve asked me what it felt like and what memories I have, but in truth I don’t remember that much about it. I feel very privileged to be here, and I’m grateful to MRL for asking us to bring the car. I hope people have enjoyed both the way it looks and the sound it makes.”
Shaun Lynn, chairman of Motor Racing Legends: “We had 400 cars on track at Donington last month, and 300 this weekend. For the inaugural London Historic Trophy, that is very satisfying. All the work we have carried out over the past two years is beginning to bear fruit. Our teams are now well-drilled in every area, and we are receiving nothing but positive feedback from our competitors. We are pleased with the balance we have found between a serious approach to the sporting and technical aspects, and a relaxed atmosphere off track. We are ready to take on our next challenge: organising a race in France, at the superb Charade circuit.”
