Big Guns prepare for three-hour showdown
Amidst all the cancellations and postponements to last year’s racing calendar, Motor Racing Legends’ last-minute event on Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit provided a shining ray of light. Despite the uncertainty, a capacity grid turned out for the inaugural three-hour contest (run under the Historic Tourist Trophy title) and proved to be a resounding success.
It was clear that enthusiasm runs high for a longer endurance format for Pre-’66 cars and Motor Racing Legends, supported by the Royal Automobile Club and DK Engineering, have responded to that demand. Now called the Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup, our new three-hour race format will run at two events this year, topping and tailing the season – firstly at the Donington Historic Festival on 1st & 2nd May, and then returning for our grand finale on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on 30th & 31st October at Motor Racing Legends’ own event.
Image: Andrew Coles
Eligible Cars: GT and Touring Cars up to the first-half of the 1960s, and Fifties Sports Cars are eligible. Valid FIA HTPs are required.
Classes: Classes within the race have been expanded to broaden the appeal of the race to smaller capacity cars. For the 2021 season these are;
- Class 1: Pre ’61 Sports Racing Cars, further sub-divided into:
- a: drum braked cars
- b: disc braked cars
- Class 2: Pre ’63 GT Cars, further sub-divided into:
- a: Up to 3000cc
- b: Over 3000cc
- Class 3: Pre ’66 Cars (GT, GTS & Touring Cars) up to 2000cc, further sub-divided into:
- a: Up to 1600 cc
- b: Over 2000cc
- Class 4: Pre ’66 Cars (GT, GTS & Touring Cars) over 2000cc, further sub-divided into:
- a: GT & GTS cars
- b: Touring Cars
So, in Class 3, for instance, Porsche 911s and MGB are now in a separate sub-class to the Lotus Elans; and the Ford Falcons and Mustangs are distinct from the Cobras and E-type Jaguars.
Image: Rob Overy
Race format: Each race will be for three-hours duration, with 50-minutes of qualifying. Refuelling is mandatory for all cars; and must take place in the pit lane using dry-break churns (please see the full Regulations for more details of pit stop and refuelling rules). At both meetings, qualifying and race will take place on the same day.
Teams: The Team competition is the principle focus of the race. Competitors are encouraged to form teams of three cars, each from a different main class. The winning team overall will be presented with the Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall Cup.
Drivers: Cars must be raced by a minimum of two-drivers and a maximum of three.
You will not be surprised to learn that we are getting a huge response for this race with entries flowing in rapidly. If you haven’t already done so, then we suggest you submit your entry form soon; in the event of oversubscription then we will naturally give preference to those cars and teams entering both rounds.
With Government restrictions looking set to ease at last, the future’s looking bright for UK motorsport and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.
ENTER ROYAL AUTOMOBILE PALL MALL CUP HERE
For further technical details please refer to the 2021 series regulations.
Top image: Jeff Bloxham