Event: Silverstone Classic - Historic Touring Car Challenge

[Steve Holmes]

Race 3: Historic Touring Car Challenge

The day’s second Tin Top race was an exciting new addition tothe Silverstone Classic bill – the Historic Touring Car Challenge, featuring a50+ grid of Rovers, BMWs, Capris and other familiar favourites from theseventies and eighties. The field included a number of notable driversincluding 2012 World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff, BTCC race winner Jeff Allamand Patrick Watts in one of three MG Metro Turbos.

Fresh from winning the U2TC encounter, Richard Meaden took his1974 Ford Capri into an early lead, ahead of Nick Whale in the much more modern1990 BMW M3.

Meaden handed over to Grant Tromans in the mid-race pit-stops,the Capri coming out just ahead of Harry Whale who had replaced his father inthe M3. After some brave resistance, the BMW finally passed the Ford in a boldmove around the outside at Abbey to assume a lead they were never torelinquish.

David Tomlin’s Zakspeed Ford Escort – only purchased during onThursday from Silverstone Auctions’ sale – ran well and finished in thirdplace.

1. Nick Whale / Harry Whale (BMW M3 E30) 15 laps
2. Richard Meaden / Grant Tromans (Ford Capri) +25.084s
3. David Tomlin (Ford Escort RS 1800) +50.470s

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More to follow.

[Roger Dowding]

More to follow.

What a mixed bag here Steve, AMC Versus Rover versus Renault and all sorts in between ..

[Spgeti]

I just love the Javlin Steve. Do you know its history ?

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks guys, glad you're enjoying the pics. The cars are a combination of FIA Group 5, Group 1, Group 2, and Group A.

As for the Javelin, thats the former David Howe 6.4 litre monster that contested the British Saloon Car Championship in around 1972 (period pictured below). It didn't make many appearances in period, and was never fully developed. It was just recently restored.

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Another period pic of the Javelin, this one snapped by our very own Ray Green.

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[Spgeti]

So it wasn't one of the T/A cars from the US ?.

[Steve Holmes]

So it wasn't one of the T/A cars from the US ?.

No, apparently not. It was built in the UK specifically for Group 2 in the early '70s.

[Steve Holmes]

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[zakspeed65]

Steve,
Great photos. I was lucky enough to be at the event, should be noted that Roger Townsend was running the M3 of Peter Sturgeon in this race and went very well in the company of some very high class cars!
Such a great event all round.

[Steve Holmes]

Steve,
Great photos. I was lucky enough to be at the event, should be noted that Roger Townsend was running the M3 of Peter Sturgeon in this race and went very well in the company of some very high class cars!
Such a great event all round.

Thanks Gary! Yes, there was actually a good Kiwi presence there, and all did exceptionally well. Heres a couple of them,.

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