Thruxton Historic brings legendary racing cars to Hampshire
Thruxton will showcase some of the finest historic motor racing in the country this summer, after confirming details of the showpiece Thruxton Historic (Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 June).
The new two-day event will blend a host of high-speed track action with a wide range of off-track activities, including car club and supercar displays, driving experiences and live entertainment combining to make the Thruxton Historic a perfect event for all the family.
Organised in conjunction with Historic Promotions, the event builds on the foundations of the venue’s highly successful 50th Anniversary meeting of 2018 and last year’s Thruxton Motorsport Celebration. The Thruxton Historic will become an annual fixture of the UK racing calendar, bringing the cream of the historic and classic motorsport scene to the country’s fastest race circuit.
A total of 11 races will be held across the two days, showcasing the incredible variety of historic motorsport – from evocative 1950s sports cars, to classic touring cars, via single-make grids of Jaguars and Alfa Romeos.
The full race content for the Thruxton Historic is as follows:
The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy (combined grid): The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy is one of Britain’s most prized and competitive historic classes, designed for post-War sports cars built before 1956. Machines such as Jaguar C- and D-types, Aston Martins, Lotus and Austin-Healeys are the order of the day. Incorporating the Stirling Moss Trophy (for pre-1961 sports cars) adds to the variety.
Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy: For cars that competed in either the British or European Touring Car Championships during the 1970s and ’80s, with the Tony Dron Trophy, named after the prolific 1970s touring car racer and Le Mans class winner.
Sixties Touring Car Challenge with U2TC: This new for 2020 category pits under 2 Litre Group 1 and Group 2 touring cars from 1966-69 against each other. The ‘U2TC’ element being for similar machinery made before 1966. Expect to see Lotus Cortinas facing off with everything from Alfa Romeos and BMWs to the venerable Minis.
HRDC COYS 100 Trophy: A 45-minute endurance event for touring cars made between 1958-1966.
HRDC Thermex Allstars: A popular 30-minute race mixing pre-1966 sports, GT and touring cars.
HRDC Classic Alfa Challenge: In the 110th anniversary year of Alfa Romeo, this mixed grid will showcase many of the classic designs to come from the famous marque with two 20-minute sprint races.
GT & Sports Car Cup: This prestigious championship is run by invitation only, meaning it will boast some of the finest pre-1966 GT and pre-1963 sports cars in the world, many of which will have competed in the World Endurance Championship in period. This is one of just three chances to catch the series racing in the UK.
Jaguar Classic Challenge Championship: Open to all XK, C- and D-types, as well as MkI and MkII saloons and early E-types, this series shows all that is great about Britain’s ‘big cats’.
Thruxton will also host a range of other activities and off-track entertainment, suitable for all the family. A host of UK car clubs will be in attendance, and there will also be a trade village. Visitors will be able to experience the thrill of taking to the passenger seat for exhilarating sideways skid pan rides alongside one of the circuit’s professional instructors. Thruxton’s range of stunning supercars will be on display and there will also be coach rides around the circuit, charity classic car rides courtesy of the Sporting Bears Motor Club, and camping facilities for spectators wanting to truly make the most of their visit. Live music performances will also feature, with artists to be confirmed shortly.
In addition, the Land Rover Legends show moves to Thruxton for the first time this year to accompany the event. The show brings together a collection of some of the most famous and storied Land Rover models, from sporting and rally variants to military examples and rare production models. It is a celebration of one of Britain’s greatest engineering exports.
Pat Blakeney, Thruxton Operations Manager, said: “Our history of working together with Historic Promotions on both our 50th anniversary meeting and the Motorsport Celebration event have laid the foundations for us to go bigger and better and launch the Thruxton Historic, which we aim to build into a must-see fixture of the motorsport calendar.
“Thruxton is a perfect environment for historic motorsport, with a fast, flowing and challenging circuit allowing these stunning cars to truly stretch their legs and go door-handle to door-handle with each other across a series of top-quality races. We’re working hard to increase our off-track offerings also, as we’re keen for the Thruxton Historic to be a fun and memorable event for all the family. We’re also delighted to welcome the Land Rover Legends show, which only adds to the appeal and value of what we’re sure will be a great weekend.”
Richard Grafton, Historic Promotions Commercial Director, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Thruxton Circuit again for what promises to be a thrilling Summer weekend of racing action and off-track entertainment. We have put together a full programme of grids from the UK’s premier historic motor racing series, which together with the car club displays, lunchtime demos, trade village, skid pan rides and Sporting Bears Dream Rides – plus the addition of the Land Rover Legends show taking place alongside – means there really is something for all the family.”
Advance tickets for the Thruxton Historic start at £18. Children aged 15 and under go free.
For more information about the event, and to secure your tickets, visit: Thruxton Historic Tickets or call 01264 882222.