Superb Array of Classic Cars at "Top
Hat" Historic Racing Festival
Donington Park, 4-5 May 2003
28 April 2003
There's a real feast of exotic and expensive classic
cars at Donington Park's Holiday Weekend "Top Hat" Historic
Racing Festival - savour the elegant lines of the Jaguar E-type, the
raw power of the Formula 5000 single seaters and admire the sleek, high
power of the GT40s. The busy 13 race programme, over Sunday and Monday,
puts 350 of them on track, but the relaxed atmosphere also allows the
opportunity to view these superb classics in the paddock area as they
are being prepared for action.
Getting the race action underway, on Sunday lunchtime,
is an hour long two driver event for Sports Racing cars of the 1960s,
among them Lotus, Lola and Elva, and that is followed by an endurance
race, over 135 minutes for Gentleman Drivers, and featuring the real
enthusiasts cars: Jaguars, Lotus Elite, Aston Martin DB4, Porsche, Ferrari,
Morgan and MGB.
Cars of an earlier vintage, from the mid-1950s, including several Allards
race in the Bonhams Sports Car Series, on a varied afternoon's sport
that also includes Historic Racing Saloons and the FIA Lurani Trophy
for Formula Junior single seaters.
Main raceday is Holiday Monday, with an 11.30 start to
racing, again following on from morning qualifying, with the FORCE series
providing the first of its daily double of races. Wind back the clock
as a pair of BRM Grand Prix cars take to the track, together with various
examples of the Surtees marque, Lotus, Brabham, McLaren, Wolf and Williams.
Packing the power too are Formula 2 cars together with five Chevrolet
engined F5000 cars.
Keep an eye out of the expected scrap between long-time
favourite Gerry Marshall and Jackie Oliver, both in Mustangs, at the
front of the pack in the Top Hat Pre-65 Historic Touring Car enduro
race, though, Barry Williams will be doing his best to make life difficult
for them in a Cooper S. Another hour long race, for Cloth Cap Pre-65
Sports Cars sees Marshall at the wheel of a Jaguar E-type, ranged against
the similar car in the hand of former touring car racers Nick Whale
and Ian Guest with the Austin Healey 3000 driven by Chris Clarkson and
Bob Pepper likely to test them severely.
The Sebring Salute GT Car race, with a packed 24 car grid,
brimming with 10,000bhp, boasts Chevron B8s, 7-litre Camaros and two
original GT40s, while familiar cars to the domestic scene take part
in the Best of British Classic Sportscar Championship, which includes
the Spirit of MG Trophy.
Adult admission on each day is £10, with accompanied children
aged 15 years and under admitted FREE of charge.
See events calendar for Donington
Park
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