Fresh start for touring cars

July 7th 2014

A new race series for historic touring cars raced up to 1963 has been launched by Julius Thurgood at the Historic Racing Drivers Club. After a pilot race later this year Thurgood aims to run a full programme in 2012 for an era of cars that he believes has been forgotten. “For many years, I have rued the fact we no longer see the touring cars that created the variety and spectacle of the ETCC in its

formative years,” said Thurgood. The common touring car cut-off date is 1966, which means that racing in this class is dominated by Lotus

Cortinas, Ford Mustangs, BMWs and Ford Falcons. But Thurgood says that his `TC63′ series will bring out many cars that have been mothballed by owners.

“Nowadays, where can you see a Jaguar Mk2 running competitively?” Thurgood asks. “Or for that matter a Lancia Flavia or Flaminia coupe, Alfa Romeo 2600 or early Giulia Ti, Vauxhall VX4/90, Mercedes-Benz 300SE or even an early Ford Cortina GT?”