Events of note

Over 600 entries and 21 races over three days is the line-up for the 32nd Oldtimer Grand Prix at Nürburgring on August 6-8. One of the biggest historic racing festivals of the season, it will again incorporate the three-hour Historic Marathon on the 14-mile Nordschleife on Friday.

Back on the GP circuit, Grand Prix Masters, International Supersports and Lurani Trophy Formula Junior events are all double-headers. The Shell Ferrari Maserati Challenge entry is split into three, with one stand-alone event and two events shared with the HGPCA Pre-1960 Grand Prix Cars and the Pre-1960 GT race respectively.

Chris Chiles and ‘Pedro Passyutu’ (GT40) will strive to repeat their 2003 Marathon win, while Peter Williams (March 761) will start among the GP Masters favourites after an oil leak cost him the corresponding race last year.

Another highlight will be the hour-long FIA Historic Touring Car race on Sunday morning. After a great start to their first season in the series, Mustang crew Nigel Vaulkhard and John Smirthwaite top the class. But they will have to beat rival Erwin Derichs on his home soil.

Silverstone to resound to mighty sports-racers

The new Classic Endurance race series will make its British debut at Silverstone on August 14-15 when a grid of 1966-73 GT cars and prototypes will contest an hour-long race that acts as a support to the contemporary Le Mans Endurance Series.

After winning the first round at Monza in May, UK-based Juan Barazi will start as favourite in his ex-Bobby Rahal Porsche 917. “If you respect the car, it is fantastic,” said Barazi of his latest acquisition.

It is hoped that three Ligiers — JS1, JS2 and JS3 — will also be at Silverstone along with the Porsche 908/3 of Sigi Brunn and Chevron B16s for John Sheldon and Steve Hitchins.

However, among the very fastest will be Irish star Kevin McGarrity in the Lola T212 of marque owner Martin Birrane.

Celebration race for ERAs

Around a dozen ERAs, plus some ERA-engined cars, will line up at Donington on September 12 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of English Racing Automobiles.

The dedicated race will be one of the top attractions of the VSCCs major ‘See Red’ event.

Although R1A, R2A and R12C will all be out of the country at the time of the race, the organisers hope to have most of the other ERAs on hand: Mac Hulbert (R4D), David Morris (R11B), Paul Mullins (R7B), Ludovic Lindsay (R5B ‘Remus’) and Duncan Ricketts (E-type) are among the early confirmed runners.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the VSCC, the weekend will feature a team race for pre-war sportscars, with squads from Bugatti, Bentley, Frazer Nash and many more. And up to nine recent F1 Ferraris from the factory Corse Clienti operation will be demonstrated.

Full entry for VSCC Prescott

As many as 240 cars will compete in the biggest vintage hillclimb meeting of the year — VSCC Prescott — over the weekend of August 7-8.

With all practice runs taking place on Saturday, Sunday will provide a full day of competition for the capacity field, starting at 10am.

Bruce Spollon, in his third decade aboard ERA R8C, will aim to repeat his 2003 victory and could break the 42sec barrier if conditions are good at the Gloucestershire hill. His closest challenger is likely to be James Baxter’s Alvis-engined single-seat Frazer Nash.

Also on show will be lain Cheyne’s remarkable Lightweight Special, the Alfa Romeo P3 of Matt and Paul Grist, and Mike Preston’s 5-litre Bugatti Type 50 Le Mans.