REVIEW : AURORA TROPHY / GEOFF LEES TROOPHY
The power games
The
Aurora Trophy and Geoff Lees Trophy enjoyed six events usually at the bigger circuits as well as the Brands American SpeedFest and the traditional finals at Silverstone . Keith Norris reports
Rory Smith in his Ralt RT4
Matt Wrigley leads the pack at Brands
New for 2021 , Howden Ganley , Brian Henton and Ray Mallock kindly lent their names to classes linked to various points in their successful careers . As usual we saw a wide and fascinating mix of cars ranging from older Formula 5000s to later fleet-of-foot FF2000s which joined us at Oulton . As befits a series like this , driving standards and racing courtesy is the norm . Joining the Aurora Trophy pack was a gang of beautifully turned out and fast Historic Formula 2 competitors who were warmly welcomed . Another addition was the introduction of the Geoff Lees Trophy for up to 2-litre singleseaters of the 1980s . This prompted the introduction of new young bloods to the HSCC ranks and it is hoped thar the GLT numbers will grow in 2022 .
In the F5000 classes , the old gang of competitors appeared including the Lyons family with Michael providing his
traditional masterclass . Greg Thornton supported the Series with both a Chevron and a Surtees which was much appreciated , with Perry Tubb sharing the driving duties . Adam Simmons regularly appeared with his older Lola and was joined on a couple of events by the rapid Summers family Lola , which Alex drove with great aplomb at Silverstone .
In the F2 class Mark Dwyer was the regular Aurora pacesetter , matched by Mark Charteris from in their pair of March 742s . Michael Bletsoe-Brown was usually fastest of the older Aurora F2 machines with his Chevron and enthusiastically supported the Series throughout the year .
Formula Atlantic saw a growing number of cars as the year drew to a close with some cross overs from Atlantics that usually run in Historic F2 . In the Aurora group , it was good to see Mike Lane pushing his Chevron up the grid . Steve Worrad appeared at the end of the year with a rare Motul as did Austrian racer Martin Friedl racing the ex-Peter Brennan Brabham BT40 .
In GLT , young Rory Smith and Sam Harrison appeared with a Formula Atlantic Ralt RT4 and F3 Dallara 389 respectively and demonstrated both real talent and the relentless pace of technical development . Smith ’ s pace was sublime and at Silverstone in October he was able to take Copse flat on one or two laps !
The 2022 season should see an Aurora event at Pau and we plan for a similar UK programme as 2021 . Hopefully we should see some new cars emerging including a March F5000 , a Toleman F2 which should please Brian Henton , and Martin Friedl as a regular overseas Aurora competitor . All are welcome to this friendly ‘ slicks and wings ’ series .
Formula 5000 thunder
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