The Masters Historic Racing Series

Comment

Comment by Alexander Davidis on March 10, 2009 at 9:03pm

Here are a couple of great shots from masters at Spa:

Comment by Alexander Davidis on March 10, 2009 at 8:48pm

Great to see this group. The Masters Series is the best international historic racing series in Europe and we covered their events extensively in my GT RACER TV-Series. Great Racing, great people, great cars, fabulous locations!!!
Regards Alexander

Comment by Stephen Page on March 9, 2009 at 1:45pm

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Masters announces its 2009 French Festival
Masters Historic Racing has announced details of its first major summer event of 2009, to be held at Magny-Cours on July 10-12. The full story is here.


Masters May Historic Brands Hatch Festival shares the launch stage with new formula Two
At the invitation of Jonathan Palmer and his MSV team, and alongside the launch of the all new FIA Formula Two Championship, Masters Historic Racing Ltd and Brands Hatch MSV today announced the content of their third joint Masters Historic Festival, with an impressive selection of cars that will feature at the end of May UK Bank Holiday historic extravaganza on May 23-25th 2009. Read the full story here.


Masters announces French Connection
Masters Historic Racing has announced plans to expand its customer base in France. Masters aims to attract many of the cars and drivers that compete in France to join the European races run by Masters Historic Racing. Read more here.

Fun in the sun – head for Portugal!
There is something magical about the M25, the M1 or the M6 on a wet Sunday night, isn’t there? The (brake) lights in front of you, the endless stream of traffic cones and the gentle aroma of exhaust fumes from solid traffic jams wafting into your car…. Hang on, do not adjust your sets….
The new Autodromo Internacional do Algarve aims to change all that. The new circuit, which is currently busy playing host to much of the pre-season F1 testing, not only boasts a swimming pool just outside the media centre (make your own jokes…) and a paddock that is functional for teams operating at all levels of the sport, but all round great new facilities.
The track itself was just barren Algarve hill-side as recently as February 2008 when developer Paulo Pinheiro invited Herman Tilke to design an all-new race circuit, which was completed last October. The topography means that cars are always doing something interesting: uphill or down, left or right. The track offers a number of different overtaking opportunities, loads of places where drivers can make mistakes or misjudge their braking points, too, and a number of excellent viewing areas, as well as a stylish VIP tower and grand hospitality suites. Oh, and access by road is a peach, just of the A22 coastal motorway from Faro airport. Sounds like the sort of place where Masters Historic Racing would put on a great show, don’t you agree?
The circuit has already put together a calendar for 2009 that includes FIA GT, Moto GP and A1GP, for example, and is the ideal location for a Masters historic event.
So what are you waiting for? Want sunshine in Europe? Check. Want a great circuit? Check. Passport up to date? Check. Look out for more news soon on special hotel deals, golf tournaments, casino visits and some fun in the sun. The event date is fixed for October 17th/18th 2009…
… See you there…
Learn more about the circuit at http://www.autodromodoalgarve.com/index/



Masters celebrates Award winners
Masters Historic Racing celebrated its 2008 season winners on Saturday January 17 at the Speedmaster Conference Centre. To read the full story - and see who won what - click here.

Masters gears up for 2009
Masters Historic Racing is all set to offer its competitors a considerate yet condensed racing calendar for 2009. Designing a 2009 season taking into account current economic conditions, continuing to offer quality racing on quality circuits, Masters aims to offer varied and interesting racing.
Click here for the full details of 2009.


Differences between NASCAR races and Masters races
Masters drivers and families might like to compare and contrast a European historic race paddock and motor-home parking area, with what goes on at a NASCAR race. We always say at the end of a meeting, “Well, there may have been some bumps and bangs, and even occasionally some disputes about technical matters, but at least no-one was shot”. Hmm, now we may have to be more careful!

Fan hit by stray bullet at Texas
A NASCAR fan was hit by a stray bullet on the Sunday of last weekend's event at Texas Motor Speedway.
The bullet pierced the roof of a woman's motorhome on the morning of the race and hit her in the right arm, reports the Associated Press. The 62-year-old has not been named but her son-in-law, Bobby Cook, told local television network KTVT: "She immediately screamed 'I've been shot, I've been shot' and took off running out the door."
She was taken to hospital with what was described as "a significant wound" but was listed as in a stable condition on Monday. The bullet is reported to have been a rifle round fired from a long distance and investigators are not believed to have any suspects.


Watts prepares for racing return
Having just completed the mammoth task of running in the New York Marathon (Sunday 2 November), returning to motor racing – and in a historic Ford Mustang - is going to seem like a walk in the park for former BTCC racer Patrick Watts, when he joins the Masters Top Hat grid in 2009. Read more here.



Masters Appoints Essentially Group as Exclusive Commercial Marketing Agency
Essentially Group Limited, the AIM listed full service sports marketing, media, management and professional services group, today announces that it has been appointed by Masters Historic Racing (Masters) on an exclusive basis, to develop its commercial strategy and sponsorship opportunities. The full story is here.


Masters Festival bigger and better for Brands Hatch in 2009
The Masters Series has announced plans for its third Festival at Brands Hatch that will run over the weekend of May 23/24/25, 2009. Read the story here.


Grand Prix Masters hits record diversity
No less than 51 different types of Formula 1 car from the 3-litre era have competed in Grand Prix Masters races in 2008. The full story is here.

Superb Spa

Manfredo Rossi di Montelera dominated the second Grand Prix Masters race of the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps – before hopping into his Jaguar E-Type to complete the weekend in the GT & Sports Endurance Masters race!

The Italian guided his Brabham to a dominant victory to make it two out of two at the fabulous Belgian circuit. Earlier in the day Joe Twyman (Lotus 7) scored a win in the Top Hat race which drew an enormous field of cars, both saloon and sports, for a mini-enduro race.

But perhaps the best race of the weekend was the last one. At two hours, the GT & Sports Endurance Masters was always going to offer time for drama to unfold, but the sight of three AC Cobras disputing the lead was one to behold. Simon Hadfield (in Leo Voyazides’ car) stormed into the lead chased by Steve Hitchins and Oliver Bryant. The regulations demanded that the nominated owner of the car do two of the three stints, meaning Voyazides went against Bernard Peruch and Grahame Bryant, keeping the black Cobra in the lead. Peruch ran wide at La Source, dropping time, but two safety car periods had an effect. At the earliest opportunity, Peruch gave the Cobra back to the inspired Hitchins and Bryant snr did likewise to Oliver, the car’s nominated owner.

But Voyazides pitted late – indeed he pitted at the end of the safety car period meaning everyone else rocketed away at race pace dropping him adrift of the leaders. Bryant worked a way past Hitchins who was struggling with brake problems and had a spin at La Source as a result, Bryant eventually winning by five seconds, with the Jaguar E-Type of Carlos Monteverde/Gary Pearson finishing third. Voyazides and Hadfield secured fifth.




Smith and Rossi triumphant on day one at Spa
Andrew Smith and Manfredo Rossi are tonight celebrating race wins at Spa in World Sportscar Masters and Grand Prix Masters respectively.

In uncommon Spa sunshine and soaring temperatures, Smith came out on top of a fantastic WSM race that went down to the wire. Driving his Lola T70, Smith fended off Richard Meins’ similar car to win by just over a second. Meins’ engine cut out at the rolling start but fought back superbly but had a few scary moments in his efforts to catch Smith, eventually deciding self-preservation was a good idea and settling for second place.

Third fell to Nick Linney’s Lola T70 ahead of the similar car of Jon MInshaw and David Hart’s symphonic-sounding Ferrari 512. Sixth was Charlie Kemp’s Lola T210.

Manfredo Rossi di Montelera dominated the Grand Prix Masters race that began with a coming-together at Les Combes. Jean-Michel Martin was an early casualty of the incident whilst David Methley’s March 761 was also delayed. Methley’s fightback to fourth place was a highlight of the race, whilst Michael Lyons’ misfiring Hesketh 308E retired to the pits allowing Anthony Hancock to secure second in his Surtees TS19 from Christophe D’Amsembourg’s McLaren M23.

Grand Prix Masters are in action again tomorrow here at Spa.



XK Challenge to stay with Masters in 2009
Following a debut season running alongside the Masters Cloth Cap category, the JEC/Vredestein XK Challenge will continue to run under the wing of the Masters Racing Series in 2009. Read the full story here.


HOW TO DRIVE SPA – AND GET PENALISED – A LESSON BEFORE OUR OWN SPA RACES!
To all Masters Members looking forward to the Spa 6 Hour meeting and the GPM, WSM/SRM, Gentleman Driver and Top Hat races at the fabulous Ardennes track, please study the footage shown below, in which a young British driver battles a Finnish driver, and appears to win a race
Click on http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dWNN5W_B-Zk and enjoy the action! Oh, and when you get to Spa, please mind the Stewards.


Masters run successful first continental Festival
The first Masters Festival to be run outside Britain was judged a great success, when an eight-event programme of races from the Masters Racing Series were held at the French Grand Prix circuit of Magny Cours over the weekend (30/31 August). Click here to read more.


Lister makes racing return with Masters
Former international GT racer Geoff Lister has ended a six-year sabbatical from racing to return with a Lola T210 in World Sportscar Masters races this season. To read more click here.


Ex-Hill Shadow returns in Grand Prix Masters
In a year of remarkable racing returns in Grand Prix Masters, a Formula 1 car last raced by Graham Hill 35 years ago returned to racing during the Silverstone Classic (26/27 July). More on this story can be found here.


Masters categories star at the Silverstone Classic
The Masters Racing Series was at the heart of the biggest historic racing festival in Britain this year, the Silverstone Classic (25-27 July) and with 57,000 visitors across three days, the event has been widely judged to be a tremendous success. Click here for more.

Masters feature prominently at Silverstone Classic
A superb array of classic racing cars from the Masters Racing Series will form the core of the race action at the biggest historic racing festival in Britain this year, the Silverstone Classic on 25-27 July. Click here for the full story.

Yates and sons plan Masters campaign
Racing veteran David Yates is planning to make his racing a family affair later this year and into 2009 by sharing a Ford Capri in Touring 70s and Stars of the 70s races with the Masters Racing Series. The whole story is here.


Johansson victorious in Sweden
Former Grand Prix driver and Le Mans winner Stefan Johansson reigned supreme in Sweden last weekend taking victory in the Grand Prix Masters race held at the Anderstorp circuit, the former home of the Swedish Grand Prix. More details of the weekend's racing are here.



Ickx Ferrari set for Masters debut
One of the most significant cars to return to racing in 2008, an ex-Jacky Ickx Ferrari 312B2, will make its debut in the Grand Prix Masters races on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit next weekend (25/26 May). Read the full story here.


Steve Hill 1956-2008
Masters Club Members and especially fellow ‘Gentleman Drivers’ will all be greatly saddened by Steve’s sudden and cruelly early death at age 53, after a short illness.
A class winner and 2nd overall as recently as Donington Park on April 20th – in the first round of the new Under 2 Litre GT series – Steve’s death robs his favourite sport and his many friends of a truly larger than life character, always full of fun, concern for others, proud of his young family - and never embarrassed about his bold, trade mark shorts!
The funeral service was held today 14th May at Amersham, attended by many fellow competitors and Lotus enthusiasts who drove a Lotus convoy in tribute
The photo shows Steve smiling as ever at Donington last month – Steve will be greatly missed and we all send our sympathies and condolences to Mandy and the family.


Masters racers enjoy Monaco success
Competitors from the Masters Series enjoyed a highly successful weekend at Monaco during the biennial Grand Prix Historique (10/11 May). With five race winners from the seven race groups, and stronger than expected results for other competitors, the event proved to be extremely good for Masters racers. The full story is here.

New Touring 70s series gathers momentum
Cologne Capris and BMW 'Batmobiles' are coming back to the race tracks of Europe this season as Touring 70s, the new race series for Group 2 Touring Cars of the 1970s, rapidly gathers strength. More details on this story are here.

Jolly elected chairman of Masters Racing Club
Sports car racer Chris Jolly has been elected chairman of the Masters Racing Club, the competitors' organisation for drivers racing with the Masters Racing Series. Click here to read more.


Masters watches Ogden partnership
Ogdens of Harrogate, has signed a long-term partnership deal with The Masters Series. Click here for more.

Dodds team up for Masters season
Father and son team Graeme and James Dodd are planning to compete regularly with the Masters Racing Series this season in two very different cars. Click here to read more.

Masters appoints new technical commissioner
The Masters Racing Series is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Harris as the Series Technical Commissioner for 2008. Click here for the full story.


Touring 70s Capri on show at Race Retro as Masters launches new series
Touring 70s, the new race series for Group 2 Touring Cars of the 1970s, was officially launched by the Masters Racing Series during Race Retro, the International Historic Motor Sport Show, at Stoneleigh today (Friday 14 March). Taking centre stage at the launch was a Ford Capri RS3100, rebuilt by Speedmaster. The full story is here.


Masters Festivals spread across Europe
The Masters Racing Series will be taking its hugely popular portfolio of race series across Europe in 2008, with a number of Masters Festivals scheduled. To read more, click here.

Masters links up with POWERnights
The Masters Racing Series unveiled a major tie-up with the POWERnights race meetings during Race Retro, the International Historic Motor Sport Show, at Stoneleigh today (Friday 14 March). Find out more here.

Lola to be celebrated at Brands Hatch Masters Festival
The 50th anniversary of Lola Cars will be marked during the Masters Festival at Brands Hatch over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend (24-26 May). Click here to read more.

Brands Hatch Masters Festival launched
The Masters Festival, running over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend in May, was unveiled during the major pre-season media day at Brands Hatch yesterday (Thursday 14 February). To read more, click here.

Speedmaster increases partnership with Masters
Speedmaster International is extending its partnership with the Masters Racing Series by supporting the Gentleman Drivers GT and Sports Endurance Series as well as Grand Prix Masters. Click here to read more.

Masters Top Hat racers head east
Competitors in five of the Masters Top Hat categories will get the chance to race at Snetterton this spring as the Masters Racing Series visits the East Anglian circuit for the first time for a one-day race meeting on Saturday 29 March. More on this story can be found here.

Big response to Masters’ date at Thruxton’s 40th Birthday
A very rare chance to compete at Thruxton has attracted a tremendous response from competitors in the Sports Racing Masters and Masters Top Hat Saloon races. Click here to read more.

Masters Awards celebrate fellow drivers voting for prize-winners!
The Award winning drivers from across the 7 series of the 2007 Masters Racing Series’ season were announced at a Gala Ceremony in Brussels on Saturday (19 January). To read more, click here.


Ahlers plans Sports Racing Masters campaign
With his contemporary Morgan Aero 8 no longer eligible for the British GT Championship, Keith Ahlers is switching to racing with the Masters Racing Series in 2008 at the wheel of the stunning Cooper Monaco 'King Cobra'. To read more, click here.

Masters unveils 2008 calendar
The Masters Racing Series has announced details of its 2008 calendar, which covers 22 race meetings across 15 European venues. To read more, click here.

Spa summer date for Top Hat racers
The Masters Racing Series has unveiled a new opportunity for historic racers to tackle the world's finest circuit, after arranging a race in the Spa Summer Classic meeting over the weekend of 14/15 June. To read more, click here.

'Grande Passione' 2008 unveiled
The Masters Racing Series has unveiled plans for the first major historic racing festival of the 2008 European season, 'Grande Passione' at Donington Park over the weekend of 19/20 April 2008. To read more, click here.