The Masters Racing Series, in partnership with HGPCA and Arbuthnot Latham Bank, is holding its first joint historic motorsport event at Donington Park on 6-7 May. The weekend will be titled ‘La Grande Passione’ and, over the course of 12 races, a series of outstanding grids will see 240 racing cars take to the track, covering 50 golden years of GP and sportscar racing.

Highlights include the HGPCA races for pre-’66 and pre-’61 Formula 1 cars, plus F1 cars of the 1970s in the Grand Prix Masters event; Le Mans cars from 1965-74 in the World Sportscar Masters and – always popular with spectators – a host of Touring Cars from the 1960s.



The organisers promise plenty of spectator access to the cars, many of which were driven in their time by such legends as Moss, Fangio, Hawthorn, Clark, Hill, Brooks, Surtees, Brabham, Hunt, Fittipaldi, Stewart, Rindt, Reutemann, Beltoise, Cevert, Bonnier and Peterson. Specific cars include the ex-Phil Hill Monza GP-winning Ferrari 246, a gaggle of early 2½-litre Coopers and the ex-Jacky Ickx 1970/71 Ferrari 312B. There are also plans to bring two Italian-based Niki Lauda-era Ferraris never before seen in the UK.



There should also be Lola DFV and Porsche 917, a rare Ferrari 3-litre prototype, March DFV and Alfa T33, not to mention Chevrons, Lola T70s and GT40s. In the Gentleman Drivers race, expect to see SWB Ferrari 250s & 275s, Aston Martin Zagatos, lightweight E-types, plus Cobras and Bizzarrinis, while the David and Goliath contests of the pre-’66 Touring Car race should find Lotus Cortinas out-braking mighty V8 Ford Falcons, with Mini Coopers and Hillman Imps nipping nimbly past on the inside.



Tickets cost £25 in advance for the two-day weekend or £15 per day at the gate. Children up to 15 years get in free. Call the ticket hotline on 01332 819 527.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: GP Euro Series/The Masters