2021 - THRUXTON HISTORIC DAY 1 - SATURDAY SCORCHER

Thruxton Circuit produced an action-packed Saturday of nostalgia on the first day of the ‘Thruxton Historic’ as a mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative racing cars took centre stage.

Basked in glorious sunshine, the Hampshire venue opened its doors for the first time this year to welcome a limited number of spectators, all of which soaked up the variety of attractions both on and off the track.

Retro-themed thrills were the order of the day on track, with a number of pulsating contests by the Motor Racing Legends and HRDC were being produced for those in attendance.

In the RAC Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre ’61 Sportcars, the Lister Knobbly duo of Rob Smith and Chris Ward showcased their class by taking victory in emphatic fashion, doing so by more than 30 seconds.

James Cottingham and Harvey Stanley were the cream of the crop in the Pre ’63 GT encounter, narrowly pipping Jack Minshaw at the end of an hours’ racing in their Jaguar E-Type.

There was high drama in the HRDC Liqui Moly Jack Sears Trophy as Tiff Needell looked to have victory in the bag before a mechanical issue befell him at the final corner on the last lap, costing him victory.

Roy Alderslade would benefit in his Lotus Ford Cortina to claim outright spoils whilst the duo of Needell and John Spiers could only hobble their Cortina across the line to claim second place.

In the Historic Touring Car Challenge, just five seconds separated the top two at the end of a blockbuster 40-minute contest. At the wheel of their Ford GA Capri, Adrian Willmott and Mark Farmer were the victors ahead of Andy Middlehurst and Jonathan Bailey.

Capping off the track action was the first of two races for the coveted Jochen Rindt Trophy. Celebrating the best single-seater race cars from the 60s, 70 & 80s, outright honours went the way of Matthew Wrigley in his March 79B.

Away from the racing there was plenty to see and do around the venue with parades, 4x4 rides (operated by Mission Motorsport) car clubs adorning the spectator banks and a trade village. One of the star attractions was situated on the Skid Pan in the shape of the Land Rover Legends show.

The Thruxton Historic will continue tomorrow (Sunday, 13 June) with another action-packed day of racing, demos, parades, Land Rover Legends and more.

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate; head to thruxtonracing.co.uk for more information.