HSCC April 2021 issue 128 | Page 7

FEATURE : FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The year ahead

Chairman Roger Bevan looks ahead to the new season .
Brands in 2020 was an important re-start for historic racing
As we start to enjoy the spring , with warmer weather and longer days , it is time to go racing again ! At least , that is the plan and we have lined up a great season of race meetings for our racing members to enjoy . Of course , at the point this is being written in mid-February , there are still many questions about the year ahead as we continue to battle with the COVID pandemic . I truly hope that by the time you read this , things will be clearer and that we have a green light to go racing . Andy Dee-Crowne and the team in the office have worked hard to get everything ready for our planned season and I really hope that we can go racing in April as planned .
The opening date on the calendar is over the Easter weekend ( Friday and Saturday ) when our Historic Formula 2 and Classic Formula 3 / Classic Formula Ford 2000 grids join the Masters event at Donington Park . I fear that we will not have too many entries from mainland Europe at this stage but it would be great to see strong grids of UK-based competitors . There has certainly been plenty of activity in the Formula 2 / Formula Atlantic market over the winter and I look forward to seeing some new cars and drivers at Donington Park .
Two weeks after Donington , many of our championships will open up at our first race meeting of the year at Snetterton . As well as a full line-up of races , headlined by Formula Ford , we will honour the memory of Jim Russell , the local racer who pioneered racing schools .
It is my fervent hope that we will soon be able to meet up with fellow enthusiasts from Europe . We all share the same passion and it was very sad to miss out on the friendships and camaraderie last season . Let ’ s all hope
we can return to sharing our sport as the 2021 season develops .
I must add a small word of appreciation to everyone who played a role in the Legends of Brands Hatch Super Prix . To win the ‘ competitive event of the year ’ in the Royal Automobile Club historic awards was a wonderful achievement and followed on from our success in 2019 when Historic F2 was declared the ‘ race series of the year ’. I am very proud that the Club has been recognised for two years running in these prestigious industry awards .
Finally , may I wish everyone involved in the Club : drivers , families , mechanics , marshals and supporters , every good fortune for 2021 . The on-going roll out of the vaccine should give people more confidence to come out while we also recognise that the last year has been truly challenging for so many people in so many ways .
Formula Fords feature at Snetterton
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