Motor Racing Legends owner, Aythorpe Promotions Limited, has broadened its portfolio in historic racing with the acquisition of HRDC.

The move sees Motor Racing Legends’ leadership team, led by chairman Shaun Lynn and CEO Pierre-Antoine Lecoutour, take the helm of HRDC alongside founder Julius Thurgood.

“HRDC has been an ally of Motor Racing Legends for more than a decade,” says Thurgood. “With that long-standing alliance, and the trust I have in Shaun Lynn’s approach to historic racing across the many disciplines he’s been involved, this was a natural progression. I am committed to running HRDC going forward, maintaining that infectious brand of camaraderie that has been the hallmark of our events and look forward to a bright and vibrant future for historic motorsport alongside Motor Racing Legends.”

Under common ownership, each paddock shares objectives but will retain its unique spirit and experience. HRDC’s commitment to affordable, community-led historic club racing will not change, and Motor Racing Legends’ emphasis on period authenticity and the highest quality experience will continue.

“We share a common goal,” continues Thurgood. “We wish to strengthen the standpoint of historic competitors, by creating an even playing field and ensuring the future of our sport. It’s an objective that won’t be achieved overnight, and will take time, patience and mutual determination. It will also require unity from us, as organisers, competitors and those passionate about historic motorsport, to pool our respective experience and lead the way.”

“I’m thrilled, because this is a huge opportunity to help shape historic motor racing from the grassroots up,” says Lecoutour. “HRDC has been a big part of our internal processes already, with its presence at many Motor Racing Legends events. This is a natural step, and one everyone at the organisation is very pleased with. HRDC offers something unique, and no one has any plans to change that. Instead, as Julius said, we are going to pool our knowledge to ensure the best competitor experience possible, respecting what has made each organisation so successful along the way.”

“I first raced with Julius more than 20 years ago,” adds Lynn. “I have the utmost respect for what he’s accomplished over the years and it’s vital to preserve what HRDC brings to the table. Historic motor racing is enormously important to me personally and, as organisers, I want us to provide the best platform we possibly can for any potential entrant. We’ve got a huge knowledge and experience base as a group, and now we have a unique chance to put that to work.”

HRDC’s racing season begins, appropriately, alongside Motor Racing Legends at the Donington Historic Festival, 2nd-4th May.