The Martini Trophy is the classic title for the new series of races for 2-litre sports prototypes of the early 1970s to be run this season by the Historic Sports Car Club.

Officially launched from the club's stand at Autosport International ,the HSCC has gained approval for the use of the Martini Trophy title for the series.

 Bringing such a famous name back into the sport is a move that immediately evokes memories of the rounds of the European 2-litre Sports Car Championship held at Silverstone in period, when the Martini Trophy was won by Toine Hezemans (Chevron B19) in 1971 and Arturo Merzario (Abarth Osella) the following year. I

nterest in the new series is running at a high level, and the 2011 calendar has been confirmed as eight races over four weekends:

Silverstone, May 14/15 (International Trophy)

Brands Hatch, July 1-3 (Historic Superprix)

Oulton Park, August 28/29 (Gold Cup)

Dijon-Prenois (F), October 1/2 (Trophee des Bourgogne)

The club has identified 140 cars that are known to exist and is building a database of drivers with cars, particularly those in a race-ready condition.

"We are delighted to have the Martini brand involved in the new series. There has been a lot of interest from people with cars, and we know that cars have been changing hands," said Grahame White, CEO of the HSCC.

 "It is looking very encouraging, but we are treating 2011 as a development year."