British Grand Prix lines up thoroughbred support race

The FIA thoroughbred grand prix series is set to support a Formula One World Championship encounter for the first time, at the British Grand Prix, on 14-15 July. Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has approved the idea, and the prospect of a capacity grid of 3-litre cars from 1970-84 taking to Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit directly after the GP is a mouth-watering one. Previously the series has only run on the National layout.

The event, which could be non-championship, would be a tremendous showpiece for a series which has grown strongly over six years. Furthermore, through tightly-policed regulations and driver discipline, it boasts an excellent safety record, and now has more than 50 regular competitors. Front runners this year should include Spaniard Joaquin Folch (a close friend of Ecclestone) and Richard Eyre in Williams FWO8s, New Yorker Duncan Dayton (Williams FW07), Germany’s Christian Glasel (Brabham BT49D), defending champion Martin Stretton (Tyrrell P34-6), and triple title-holder Bob Berridge, who returns with an Arrows A4. MP