Motor Racing Legends has renamed its JD Classics Challenge race series, for 1966-’85 Touring Cars, as the Historic Touring Car Challenge (HTCC).
“The series will run exactly as it has in the past two years,” confirmed Duncan Wiltshire of MRL. “The only change is to the title. The HTCC will continue to enjoy the vital support of JD Classics, both as sponsor and as entrant; and alongside the JD Classics entries we are expecting to welcome some very interesting and historic new additions to the grid this season—even from as far afield as Australia!”
The JD Classics Challenge was originally launched in 2011 for Groups 1 and 2, and Group A Touring Cars as raced in the British and European Touring Car Championships between 1972 and 1985. Such was the enthusiasm from owners of earlier cars, however, that the eligibility was extended to include Touring Cars back to 1966, bringing in Group 5 cars from this era.
The full 2013 HTCC season of racing kicks off with a 45-minute race at the Donington Historic Festival in early May. “This event is set to be bigger than ever this year and has really cemented its place as the season-opening meeting for most people,” commented Wiltshire. The series will then appear at the Masters’ Festival at Brands Hatch at the end of May—scheduled to be run as two 40-minute doubleheaders; one race on the Indy Circuit and one on the full Grand Prix Circuit.
Next up would be the Six-Hours meeting at Spa in September, while the season will end with a race at the Algarve Classic Festival in southern Portugal in mid-October. “This is a long-haul event, but allows us to play on one of the most magnificent circuits in Europe, with an entry fee that includes a hotel room,” noted Wiltshire. “Three years of stunning sunshine were brought to an abrupt halt last year, but even those tough conditions couldn’t spoil a truly superb weekend, with terrific hospitality in a fabulous location. Any historic racer who hasn’t yet tried this event would do well to put the Algarve Classic Festival in their calendar.”
Entry forms and regulations for the 2013 HTCC are now available and can be downloaded from www.motorracinglegends.com
