High profile for classic tin-tops

The promoters of the British Touring Car Championship have announced that two series for period sports and GT cars will feature at a number of their events in 2002. Although the HGPCA and F5000 races of 2001 will not be repeated, races for Group C and 1960s/70s sports and saloon cars will be held.

The new arrangement has been forged between British Motorsport Promoters and Heritage Racing Support, subsidiary of Aston Martin distributor, Stratton Motor Company.

The World Sports Car Invitation Trophy for Group C cars will support the BTCC on four occasions, starting on the Brands Hatch GP circuit at Easter and followed by encounters at Silverstone, Snetterton and Donington. Each meeting will feature a sprint and a mini-endurance race, the latter including mandatory pitstops and a possible driver change.

The Heritage Grand Touring Car Challenge will be based on 1960s/70s saloon and sports-cars which will run in close to original specification, again with both sprint and endurance race format, at four BTCC meetings.