Sunday 8 October sees Mallory Park's race paddocks once again burgeoning with a dynamic collection of the UK's top historic racing cars for its annual end-of-season historic finale, brought to this evocative circuit by Top Hat Racing.

This unique meeting is dedicated to Chris Meek (below), the sportscar ace whose tireless endeavours saved this historic venue for all motorsport competitors - not property developers. The 'Best of British' race will therefore carry the Chris Meek Trophy, which will become an annually presented award. Fittingly, Howard Bentham and Bill Braithwaite have entered a matching pair of Lotus Europas in deference to Chris's astonishing number of victories in his similar 'Radio 208 Luxembourg' Europa during the 1970s.



Supporting the Lotus contingent will be:
Michael Doyle in his race-winning Lotus Elan, Roger Wills in his rare Daren Mk2 and Stephen Garrett in his early Lotus 7 BMC.

Fresh from a great outing at Goodwood in his Morris Minor and chasing the 'Spirit of MG' Trophy - awarded to the first MG or MG-powered car home in the same race - will be Russell Martin in his quick MGB.



With just about every British marque represented in this race, it goes without saying that Jaguars will be there in strength - headed by Harry Wyndham's sleek 3.8 E-type FHC and John Bussell's 4.2 roadster.

The five other races will be:
* The headlining 'Dunlop Trophy' for Top Hat pre-'66 touring cars.
* The 'Coys Trophy' for Cloth Cap pre-66 sports cars.
* The 'Sunoco' Trophy for 'Groovy Baby!' '70s Soulful Saloons.
* The 'Revivalist Trophy' for Oldies but Goldies pre-'60s touring cars.
* The 'Julius Thurgood' Top Hat All-comers Trophy.

Entries for this 'must-do' event are still open and competitors can download an entry form from the Top Hat website www.tophatracing.co.uk, contact the Top Hat office on +44(0)1926 885835 or email [email protected].

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Top Hat