FEATURE : FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The European drivers are very much missed this season
So far so good !
Chairman Roger Bevan reflects on a very positive season of racing to date .
Our 2021 motor sport season seems to be flying by . As you read this edition of Historic Racing it will be late July and your Club will have staged the fifth of its eight domestic events calendar . It is testament to the continuing loyalty of members and their enthusiasm for racing that our meetings have been so well supported . Despite the worst effects of the pandemic , the difficulties of travel and accommodation and the burden of Covid protocols at race circuits we have enjoyed full grids and fantastic racing . GTSCC guest Races at Donington and Silverstone , too , contributed full grids and high standards of racing . Similarly at Brands Hatch the HGPCA added to the quality of the meeting with more than 30 Pre ’ 66 Grand Prix cars .
Particularly noteworthy at our meetings this year has been the growth and resurgence of interest in some of our in-house series . The Historic FF1600 Championship has returned to the very impressive grids numbers traditionally expected of these nimble single seaters . Both Thundersports and Guards Trophy have enjoyed spectacular growth . Both series have produced very high-quality GT and sports-racing grids with superb presentation and seriously fast racing . In terms of sheer numbers , the top accolade must go to Alan Morgan and the Historic FF2000 Championship .
I know many will have missed the paddock social gatherings that are very much a part of the racing weekend ’ s enjoyment . I hope the Government announcement of the lifting of many of the Covid restrictions will finally free our sport of its present restrictions .
It will of course be a pleasure to be able once again to share our trackside , paddock and garage areas with spectators . Last year , and thus far this year , they have been denied those opportunities to get close to our cars and watch and wonder at the preparation of such a diverse mix of historic racing cars seen at HSCC meetings . After nearly a lifetime of motor sport I still enjoy a walk around the paddock , listening to the many sounds and seeing the many and various interesting activities that make a paddock visit a must for the spectator . Spectators and fans of motor sport are of course a vital part of our sport and should be afforded every opportunity to get close to cars and drivers .
While UK domestic historic racing seems to have largely shrugged off Covid the Club ’ s international race programme continues to suffer the effects of uncertainty . Event
The mighty GT & SCC field at Silverstone
cancellations and postponements have blighted the 2021 Historic Formula 2 calendar . This year governments on both sides of La Manche have , at various times , imposed travel restrictions ranging from total foreign travel bans to quarantine and expensive multiple testing requirements . Add in Carnet ‘ reluctance ’ and quite understandably , aside from infection concerns , many drivers have felt unable to support Historic Formula 2 in mainland Europe this year . With little prospect of realistic grid numbers , Championship rounds have been cancelled . What the prospects are for the remaining European rounds remains difficult to calculate but we will do everything we can to get the situation back to ‘ normal ’ as soon as possible .
Finally , I would like to join Andy Dee- Crowne in expressing our gratitude to the people who play key roles in making our race meetings happen , including our many volunteer officials and marshals .
7