New Horizons for HMRN Pre '63 GT

As the home for some of the most glamorous cars in history, HMRN Pre ’63 GT holds a special place in the heart for many in the Motor Racing Legends paddock. For 2026, it’s set to improve, with a refresh of the race format that will focus on owner-drivers.

Refreshed Race Format

At Donington Historic Festival, the series will see two races, one of 25 minutes and one of 40, a change from the previous one-hour format. The biggest change is that the 25-minute race is for owners only, encouraging competition between those who race their pride and joy. The following 40-minute race is a two-driver, pitstop race.

This change comes on the back of competitor feedback and long discussions with entrants and owners. Working alongside Carol Spagg of HMRN, the Motor Racing Legends team is keen to build the grid back up, and the race format update is a first step in this direction.

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A Trio of Driver’s Circuits

There are more adjustments, too, aimed to keep competition fresh and give new experiences. As well as Donington Park and Silverstone GP, two of the best driver’s tracks in the UK, the early sixties racers head to the new Trophées d’Auvergne in France, at the Circuit de Charade.

The Charade venue is an outstanding circuit, with sweeping corners and incredible elevation changes throughout. No less a figure than Sir Stirling Moss described its 1950s iteration as, “the most beautiful circuit in the world,” and though it is shorter in modern form for safety reasons, it remains a superb track.

In France, the pre-’63 racers will share two 40-minute races with the 1950s sportscars of the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote and Stirling Moss Trophies, but will have a separate podium, just as the Stirling Moss and Woodcote races do.

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Class Structure Updated

On the regulation side, there is also some adjustment. As part of the work of the technical and eligibility teams, strong focus has been placed on pre-’63 cars in the last 12 months, and not only has this led to several technical notes but also an adjustment of classes. A new, dedicated GTP class, for invitational cars, is added for 2026. This category will be subject to a longer pitstop but will be eligible for the podium.

For more information on HMRN Pre ’63 GT, please contact grid ambassador Carol Spagg: carol@historicmotorracingnews.com