Huge Entry for Silverstone Classic Pre-66 GTs

Masters Historic Racing has assembled a huge grid for its Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT showpiece race at the Silverstone Classic next weekend, July 25th – 27th, running under the name of The Chopard International Trophy for this event. In a massive entry of over 64 cars, including reserves, the entry for the 60-minute race on Saturday is full of variety and exciting cars. The entry is headed by a plethora of AC Cobras, the quickest likely to be in the hands of championship leaders Leo Voyazides/Simon Hadfield and Karsten Le Blanc/Nigel Greensall, while Jason Wright/Andy Wolfe and French visitor Ludovic Caron will be at the front as well. Against the snakin’ Cobras is a raft of Jaguar E-types. The Big Cat entry is headed by father and son Larry and Nathan Kinch, against the similar cars of Sandy Watson/Martin O’Connell, historic F1 front-runner Ian Simmonds (who shares the experienced Mark Hales), brothers Gary and John Pearson and GT racer Gregor Fisken who shares with Rockingham CEO Peter Hardman. But expect battles throughout the field with plenty to look for, including WTCC champion Rob Huff who shares former British Hillclimb champion David Grace’s Austin Healey 3000, Moscow-based Kiwi Roger Wills in his Bizzarrini 5300GT and the Morgan Plus 4 SLR of Keith Ahlers/Billy Bellinger. John Young heads the Porsche 911 entry against ace Porsche preparer Phil Hindley, experienced retired dentist John Sheldon heads the Lotus Elan brigade and Mike Whitaker can be relied upon to be the pick of the TVR drivers in his Griffith. Said Rob Huff: “I’m looking forward to getting my hands on some incredible cars at the Silverstone Classic and I reckon this could end up being one of my best weekends of the year. I have a lot of experience in the Mini I will race in the Masters Touring Car races and that is always fun to drive and I’ll share the Austin Healey from my old WTCC team, RML with David Grace.” With AC, Morgan, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, Austin, TVR, Lotus, Ginetta, Triumph, Iso, Bizzarrini, Sunbeam, Chevrolet and MG on the grid, it is truly a monster entry and a wonderful snapshot of how GT racing looked in the 1960s. Masters Historic Racing Event Manager Rachel Bailey said: “To have such a brilliant entry for the Chopard International Trophy illustrates the popularity of the Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT class. With lots of track time and shared cars to help reduce costs, the format is simple and successful and we are looking forward to a brilliant race.”