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Highly competitive racing but mostly respecting sportsmanship. Owners, drivers and enthusiasts from all over the world come together at the events, not only to compete and spectate but also to share experiences and memories whilst creating new ones. Although many are high-profile, they are not remote - spectators are able to see the cars up close and speak to the drivers. Not all meetings are glamorous or 'exclusive' either - some of the race meetings are highly enjoyable due to their relaxed atmosphere. The racing is extremely close at the front but there is not necessarily this pressure throughout the field. All appreciate the historical significance of the cars - some derive as much pleasure from driving a piece of history - others need the adrenaline of wheel-to-wheel. Hundreds of thousands attend during the season.
Circuit Races Using some of the best Grand Prix circuits in the world, the major International race meetings are high profile events. For example the BRDC Silverstone Festival, Nürburgring AvD Oldtimer GP and Goodwood Revival meetings have been attended by up to 50,000 spectators each day - they are televised too. The 300 Owners/Entrants/Drivers at each event come from all over the world - some from places as diverse as Australia, Brazil, USA and even India. These people have diverse backgrounds, social and business interests but share the common interest. The Monaco Grand Prix Historique is considered the 'Jewel in the Crown' of motorsport (and the Monte Carlo social season); Le Mans Classic also has a very high profile. squadra360 has raced
successfully at all of these plus many others.
Races for Le Mans-type car of the early 1930s, the period considered to be the 'Golden Age' of motor racing. Many of the cars competing raced at Le Mans, Brooklands, Donington, the TT and other premier events - Alfa Romeo, Alta, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Invicta, Mercedes, MG, Riley and Talbot. Some cars won their class, others took outright victory and some still exceed 120mph on the straights - an impressive sight. In keeping with endurance sportscar races of the period, there is a driver change adding excitement as well as race on each day, Saturday and Sunday. Several are coordinated by Bob Wood, who is considered by many to be the guardian of this grid of pre-War Sportscars. The race at Silverstone, using the Historic Grand Prix circuit was a huge success, run in association with the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club). There was a 75 minute race in 2005, celebrating the 75th year of the BRDC.
GT & Sports Endurance Masters 'Gentleman Drivers' squadra360 won the 2002 series outright as well as its class in the 1956 HWM-Jaguar. The trophies were presented at an awards' dinner in London's Porchester Hall in front of the 300 attendees. Open to pre-'63 sports racing and sports prototype cars and pre-'65 GT cars, the 2001 field included AC Cobra, Lola Mk 1, Iso Grifo A3C, HWM, Ferrari 250SWB, Aston Martin DB4GT, Alfa Romeo TZ1, Jaguar Lightweight E-Type, Lotus Elite, MGB and Austin Healey.
The series provides close racing with an endurance element, usually being one and half or two hours long. Of the two drivers, the owner must complete at least 50% of the race distance. The races have been held at Imola, Spa, Zandvoort, Donington, Pau, Brands Hatch, Charade and Estoril. The series has been oversubscribed since 2002. The series was organised by Carol Spagg / HMRN (Historic Motor Racing News) but The Masters Series; it is still sponsored by JCB. see: www.historicmotorracingnews.com
Group 'C' and GTP cars raced at Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship through the 80's and into the 90's. These are the big, 240mph cars with ground effect, entered by factory teams and individuals alike. Porsche dominated Group 'C' with the 956 and 962, driven by the likes of Ickx, Bell, Fitzpatrick and Lloyd. Jaguar made their return to Le Mans in Group 'C' and won overall. Aston Martin too although not as successfully. Smaller manufacturers were also prominent on the World Sportscar scene, including Spice, Tiga and Harrier. These cars are all back on the track throughout Europe and USA. squadra360 plans to compete in the series with the Porsche Turbo
Other International series & Events Several other series often compete at the same meetings as those above, including the HGPCA Drum Brake Sports Cars, pre-1960 Grand Prix cars; the newly combined Grand Prix Masters 3 Litre F1 Championship and World Sportscar Masters provide fantastic spectacles: see: The Masters Series
There is synergy as several drivers compete in more than one of these series, so may race multiple cars at each meeting. squadra360 might be involved with several of these too. .................................................................................................... Brands Hatch Superprix Organised by the HSCC (Historic Sports Car Club), this event combines rounds of various International series as well as the club's own. The racing is over two days, with different races on each..................................................................................................... HSCC - Classic Sports Cars Championship A highly competitive, club championship for sports cars from the late 1950's and early 60's. The championship is contested mainly in the UK (Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Castle Combe, Thruxton, Snetterton and Mallory Park).
Road/Race Events These increasingly
popular events are run in two categories. Apart from the FIA Competition
section there is a Regularity one. This allows people take a passenger
without a full International competition licence and enjoy the experience
on track as well as the excellent hospitality and relaxed atmosphere
for example the Modena Cento Ore Classic, Tour de France Auto and
Targa Florio.
Four-day Italian event with races at Imola, Mugello, Misano and Varano plus a test at Fiorano (Ferrari's test track). High profile, International event: good competition, beautiful cars, elegant hospitality. squadra360 has won its class each year and is hoping to win again in 2006, possibly even outright with the right car. Media coverage (on track and interviews) would be be pre-arranged - the 2000 event video has on-board footage with James Wood - Italian TV (Nuvolari Channel) interviewed him too. Returning, James would probably review the event with a magazine. see: www.modenacentooreclassic.it
Sponsors The profile of the Historic Racing arena is illustrated by the major sponsors (past and present): Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Veuve Clicquot, Dunhill, Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Girard-Perregaux, Chopard, Ebel, Ferrari, Maserati, Credit Suisse Private Banking, Deutsche Bank, Douwe Egberts, Taylor Woodrow, JCB, British Aerospace, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Becks Bier, Hagerty Insurance and Dorint Hotels. |
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Clubs and Organisations
Automobile Club de Monaco - ACM Automobile Club de l'Ouest - ACO British Racing Drivers Club - BRDC Historic Grand Prix Cars Association - HGPCA Historic Sports Car Club - HSCC Motor Classic Peter Auto Rayon d'Action Organsiers of the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or at Monthlery for many years and more recently, the Grand Prix de Pau Historique Vintage Sports Car Club - VSCC |
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