Two new Motor Racing Legends grids stole the spotlight at Silverstone’s BRDC Classic, with both GP Icons presented by Goodyear and Endurance Icons enjoying a hugely enthusiastic reception from competitors and spectators alike. Their debut appearances added a fresh dimension to an already packed weekend of historic motorsport, which featured nine MRL categories spanning the pre-war era through to the more modern GT3.

Under blue skies and in front of large crowds, 300 race cars delivered close racing and spectacular action across the iconic Silverstone circuit.

Highlighting 3.0-litre Formula One machinery from 1966 to 1985, GP Icons presented by Goodyear brought together 16 entries representing 11 marques, from BRM to Williams. Seeing these cars in the National Paddock garages brought back memories for everyone. The record books will show that the inaugural race of this new series was won by Lukas Halusa in a Brabham BT49, a kind of redemption for a car that fell short of victory here in 1982.

Le Mans-style racing also took its place in the paddock with the debut of Endurance Icons, featuring 23 GTs and prototypes from the 2000s, including an Audi R8, a Bentley Speed 8, and a Cadillac Northstar. Notably, the latter was making its first-ever appearance in historic competition. The opening race was won by Keith Frieser in a Zytek 09S, but the drive of the day came from Mike Newton, who finished third overall in an LMP2 MG-Lola. Remarkably, Newton had already raced the very same car at this circuit in 2005 and 2007 as part of the Le Mans Series. Two decades later, the programme remains under the stewardship of its original RML race engineer, Phil Barker.

The Generations Trophy was not part of this weekend’s programme, but several father-and-son pairings were still competing across the various grids. Among them was one duo very much in the spotlight: Zak and Max Brown. At the wheel of a “red McLaren” – which was in fact a Ferrari 458 GT2 – the pair secured victory in the GT2B class during Sunday’s second Endurance Icons race.

Sir Chris Hoy on the podium

The largest MRL grid of the weekend was the Pre-’66 GT Sprint, which brought together a huge 52-car field on Saturday and produced brilliantly close racing. Andy Wolfe and Julian Thomas ultimately took victory in a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.

Among the hundreds of drivers racing this weekend, special mention goes to Jimmy Broadbent, who made his Motor Racing Legends debut. He sampled two very different machines across the meeting, competing in GT3 Legends aboard a Nissan GT-R and in the HRDC ‘Top Hat’ at the wheel of a Ford Mustang. For his part, track cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy secured an impressive second-place finish in the 2-Litre Sportscars race, sharing a 1975 Lola T292 with Alex Brundle, before jumping into a Ford Falcon in the HRDC ‘Top Hat’ Pre-’66 Touring Cars.

Away from the track, there were big smiles throughout the tented paddock and pit garages as fans got up close to the cars and talked to drivers and race preparers. The country-and-western evening on Saturday was complete with Stetsons, cowboy boots and line dancing, providing a night of entertainment and some signature Motor Racing Legends fun.

On 11, 12 and 13 September, Motor Racing Legends will stage a double-header weekend, with meetings taking place simultaneously at Castle Combe and Dijon. The Generations Trophy will compete at the British circuit, while the Pre-War Sports Cars, Top Hat Pre-’66 Touring Cars and Pre-’66 GT Sprint grids will be in action in France.

Zak Brown, driving a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and a 2011 Ferrari 458 GT2:

 “The first time we’ve been at a Motor Racing Legends event, and I’ve got to say it’s first class. It’s our first of many. Silverstone is an unbelievable track. The GT3 and Endurance Icons cars show me how old I’m getting because when I see these things, I’m like, ‘These aren’t historic.’ This is the first time I’ve raced with my son. He’s done one race at Brands Hatch and, unfortunately, he’s already quicker than me. So he’s either pretty good or I’m slow. There are some fantastic cars here. I’ve seen quite a few that I certainly wouldn’t mind having in my garage.”

Sir Chris Hoy, driving a 1965 Ford Falcon and a 1975 Lola T292

“Motor Racing Legends have done a fantastic job. The whole hospitality set-up, the food, and everything else has been first-class. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of it this weekend, and hopefully we’ll be back again soon. I love the whole 2-Litre Sportscars grid – I think these cars look fantastic. It was a real surprise to finish on the podium. The Lola is unbelievable for a 51-year-old car. It’s agile, lightweight, and the noise it makes is incredible. When you’re charging down the old pit straight and throwing it into Copse Corner in fifth gear, knowing there’s genuine downforce underneath you, it’s a fantastic feeling.”

Jimmy Broadbent, driving a 2012 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 and a 1965 Ford Mustang

“There’s nothing quite like historic racing. There’s obviously a competitive spirit between the drivers, which is great to have, but it’s not cut-throat. If a team is missing something, they’ll simply go next door and ask another team for it. I feel very fortunate. You couldn’t really have two more different cars to drive. On one hand, you’ve got this incredible high-downforce GT3 car, and on the other, the Mustang with tyres that feel like they’re made of plastic. You’ve got to be adaptable. Sliding the Ford Mustang around is so much fun. It’s such a cool car to drive. I’m a huge racing fan, so being able to see all these legends out on track, while the public gets to enjoy them too, is special. I think that’s something quite unique to this event as well. I’m hoping to get invited back again soon for another one.”

Pierre-Antoine Lecoutour, CEO of Motor Racing Legends:

“This inaugural BRDC Classic concludes on a highly positive note for Motor Racing Legends. With the successful launch of the GP Icons presented by Goodyear and Endurance Icons series, the continued momentum of the 2-Litre Sportscars, and grids averaging more than thirty cars, the weekend has highlighted the strength of our fields. We hope we lived up to the expectations of both the spectators and Silverstone Circuit, whom we warmly thank – along with the BRDC and all the drivers – for their trust and support throughout this first edition.”

ALL RESULTS
PHOTO GALLERY