Rolling thunder

Ford Falcons, Mustangs and Galaxies will head a horde of pre-’65 Historic Touring Cars in the Top Hat Challenge, three one-hour endurance races to be run by the HSCC at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Spa-Francorchamps this season.

After a successful pilot last year, organiser Julius Thurgood has received overwhelming support from competitors for a series of invitation races, run in five capacity classes.

Nick Whale and Max Rostron (teamed with the redoubtable Gerry Marshall) will drive Mustangs, Bob Sherring his formidable Galaxie, and the Falcons of David Clark and James Tuck will be joined by Mickey Bolton’s Studebaker Coronet.

Alfa Romeos, BMWs, howling Jaguars and Lotus-Cortinas will head the chase, with tyre-smoking Mini Cooper Ss, Anglias, Mercedes-Benz 300 Tintails,’ Fiat Abarths and Renault models pledged to bring the entry to at least ten marques. MP