News in brief, December 2005

Among the entries for the Roger Albert Clark Rally is an ex-Clark Ford Escort Mk1. The car registered FEV 5H is now owned by Dave Watkins, who has returned it to Clark’s 1970 livery in honour of the British ace. Watkins and Neil Duncan will fulfil lifetime ambitions by taking part in the event.

***

The UK Formula Junior Championship will be organised by the HSCC next year. The series has been run by the Aston Martin Owners’ Club in recent years, but it is hoped that the switch will allow the Juniors to race more often.

***

The Killarney Historic Stages Rally will switch to a two-day format for the first time when the 2005 event runs over the weekend of December 3-4. The biggest historic special stage rally in Ireland will feature two tests in darkness on Saturday evening followed by a further nine closed-road stages on Sunday.

***

Portuguese racer José Albuquerque has added an ex-Tasman Brabham BT11 to his stable for 2006 and plans to run the car regularly in HGPCA races. He gave the Martin Stretton-tended car a shakedown race at Silverstone in October. He also uses a Maserati 250F in earlier HGPCA events.

***

Frank Lyons has agreed to buy the AAR Eagle FA74 Formula 5000 from Ian Giles, who purchased it seven years ago and has raced it regularly since. Giles is now planning a return to sportscar racing and is eager to compete in the Le Mans Classic next July.

***

Admission prices for the Silverstone Classic have been confirmed at £15, when booked In advance. The event will be growing to a full three days in 2006, running from July 28-30. A three-day pass is £40. A two-hour sportscar race on Saturday evening is one of the developments planned for the second running of the event. Tickets can be booked at www.silverstoneclassic.com

***

A total of 450 stands are expected for the third International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh on February 24/26. Live action will again be provided by the ‘Slowly Sideways’ Group B rally car movement.

***

Warwick Banks was reunited recently with the famous ‘Tatty Turner’ for the first time In over 40 years at the BRDC Members’ Race at Silverstone. He last drove it in 1964 and was invited to race it again by its new owners following a major restoration in recent months.