Sytner all set for comeback

The return to racing of veteran historic competitor Frank Sytner after he suffered a major heart attack at the 2011 event will be the big story of this year’s Donington Historic Festival (May 5/6).

Amid a very strong race line-up, Sytner will be re-united with the Lola T70 Mk3B he was driving last year when he suffered the heart attack and ran off the road into the wall.

Now, the Monaco-based racer has been given the all-clear to return and plans to complete the race, a year after he came close to death. Only the swift work of the marshals and rescue crews saved his life. “Frank is such an enthusiast,” said Simon Hadfield, who has rebuilt the Lola ready for the race.

One notable competition debut will be a re-creation of the Cunningham C4R Le Mans car of the 1950s in the hands of owner Ben Shuckburgh. His faithful replica is based on the chassis of a 1953 Cunningham C3 road car.

A collection of special objects associated with Donington will be auctioned for charity at the meeting, such as the model of Bluebird from the top of Starkey’s Bridge, the spark plug commentary box and sections of the Dunlop Bridge.