A new European race series for pre-War sports cars has received a phenomenal response from potential entrants. Launched by Duncan Wiltshire, organiser of the Le Mans Legend, the races – titled Motor Racing Legends – are open to a huge range of sports cars from the Twenties and Thirties.
“We’re aiming to recreate the heady days of Birkin against Caracciola, Blower Bentleys against the might of Mercedes-Benz, of Alfa Romeo and Talbot, and the great endurance racing of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia,” says Duncan Wiltshire. “From the spectator’s point of view, sports cars of the pre-War era, combining tremendous power with negligible grip, are real favourites. The dramatic four-wheel drifts and clear view of the drivers’ physical movements offer an insight into the experience of racing these cars which can’t be matched by modern machinery. Our aim is to create a series of the calibre of the much-lamented Coys Festival, with the emphasis on minimum bureaucracy and maximum fun.”
So far serious interest has been registered by owners of cars as diverse as Alfas – both Monza and 6C – Alta and Amilcar, Le Mans Astons and Bentleys, BMW 328, Bugattis, Delahayes and Invictas, Frazer Nashes, Jaguars, Lagondas and Maseratis, MGs and Brooklands Riley, plus Sunbeam, Stutz Blackhawk and Talbots. To name but a few.
“Interest has been overwhelming,” says organiser Duncan Wiltshire, “to the point that we can foresee the series growing into a major international event.”
The full schedule for 2004 has now been announced, as:
“We have opted for a round at Assen because it’s such a fantastic circuit for our series,” says Wiltshire. “The fast, sweeping bends are ideal for pre-War cars and the circuit’s facilities are second to none.”
The new Motor Racing Legends Pre-War Sports Car Series is for ‘proper’ historic sports cars, running in road trim with wings and lights. Each round consists of two, 2-driver, 45-minute races on consecutive days.
The table gives a sample of the many eligible marques:
| ALFA ROMEO | BNC | INVICTA | ROLLAND-PILAIN |
| ALTA | BUGATTI | LAGONDA | SALMSON |
| AMILCAR | CHENARD ET WALCKER | LEA-FRANCIS | S.A.R.A. |
| ARIES | CHRYSLER | LORRAINE-DIETRICH | SIMCA |
| ALVIS | CORRE LA LICORNE | MERCEDES-BENZ | SINGER |
| ASTON MARTIN | DELAGE | MG | STUTZ |
| ATALANTA | DERBY | MORGAN | SUNBEAM |
| AUSTIN 7 | FIAT | OM | TALBOT |
| BENTLEY | FRAZER NASH | PEUGEOT | TH. SCHNEIDER |
| BMW | HRG | RILEY | TRACTA |
Potential entrants are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible, as grid sizes are limited.
Contact Duncan Wiltshire, at Motor Racing Legends, Hillstone Barns, Brook Street, Hargrave, Northants NN9 6BP, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1933 624002
Fax: +44 (0)1933 624003
E-mail: [email protected]
Text; Motor Racing Legends
Photos: Peter Richardson ©