V8 class gets ready to rumble

Heavy metal V8s are to get a new championship this season.

Camaros, Mustangs and Cobras have already registered for the V8 Rolling Thunder series run by the Classic Sports Car Club. There is, however, no cut-off date and so modem classics such as Aston Martin DB7s will mix it with the older machinery.

With a view to less potent, less expensive machinery, the club will also introduce the Swinging Sixties series in 2004. This will be open to four- and six-cylinder road-going saloons or sportscars from that decade — and the 1950s. Cars must have their original engine type and silhouette. The races will be a minimum of 40 minutes and feature a pitstop.

“Competitors want less meetings but more track time, and that’s what we are about,” said a spokesman.