Nigel Greensall’s diary of derring-do

LE MANS CLASSIC, JULY 3-6

A thoroughly enjoyable week – 238,000 spectators, 800 race cars, 900 drivers. I’m told for spectating it’s more enjoyable than the actual 24 Hours. I was with Rolf Sigrist and his Chevron B19 run by Ombra Racing in plateau five. Unfortunately we had electrical gremlins, but we got a fastest lap and had a brilliant time.

Also, I drove in the Endurance Racing Legends support race with John Emberson and his Corvette, and in plateau three his 1962 Morgan Plus 4 Series 1 run by Brian Gateson of marque specialist Techniques. We ended up seventh, in good company with a Ferrari 250 GT SWB, Maserati ‘Birdcage’, Jaguar D-type and Lister Costin. Fortunately for us it rained in the third race, which gave us a chance to come through the pack.

The little Morgan was a joy as we slid around, overtaking bigger cars.

CADWELL PARK, JULY 12-13

After Le Mans, I spent a day on the Brands Hatch GP circuit with Joel Hopwood and his Lotus Elan. I’ll be racing with Joel later this year. The next day I headed to glorious Cadwell Park for some coaching, then I was back for the 750MC meeting racing a BMW 116, inset, with David Hudson – an extreme contrast to Le Mans!

TAZIO NUVOALRI CIRCUIT, JULY 16

To Italy for a day of testing, with Rolf and his B19 again to make sure the Le Mans electrical gremlins had been fixed. Plus I was coaching Stan Novakovic in his Shelby Mustang GT350, preparing him for the Modena Cento Ore.

IMOLA CLASSIC, JULY 25-27

Following a shakedown test at Turweston and a day at Oulton Park with Joel Hopwood’s Chevron B8, it was out to Italy for Peter Auto action. Such enthusiasm and atmosphere. I was racing with Johns Emberson and Spiers in a Chevron B19, dear old Chocolate Drop B26, a Ford Mustang and a Lister Costin. The highlight, in the Lister, was a terrific race with Fred Wakeman, a brilliant driver, and his Cooper T38. I passed him on the last lap to win. Very special.

Our top events this month

BHRC – British Historic Motorcycle Championships
Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, September 13-14
If you thought Lincolnshire was flat, you’re wrong. Get up to the Mountain section for commanding views of the circuit. There’ll be 20 races featuring pre-2000 motorcycles; there’s even a scooter category. Entry from £16.

GT cup – Donington Park
Donington Park, Leics, September 20-21
The Lamborghini Super Trofeo of Topcats Racing, driven by Fraser Fenwick and Iain Campbell, is the car to beat in the penultimate weekend of the GT Cup. Other machines on the grid include a BMW M4 GT4, Aston Martin Vantage GT4s and McLaren 720S GT3s. Tickets start from £19.

EHC – Buzetski Dani
Buzet, Croatia, September 21
If you’ve had friends who’ve holidayed this year in Croatia your ears will be sore from hearing how astoundingly beautiful the country is. Go one better by attending the final round of the FIA European Hillclimb Championship in Buzet. The scenery here is spectacular, as are the Euro-exotic cars tackling the 2.6-mile course.

MERC – Cyprus Rally
Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Cyprus, Oct 3-5
The Middle East Rally Championship sets up camp in the Med for round six of six. At stages in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol look out for five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah who’s in blistering form once again in the MERC. Free entry to spectator areas.

Motor Racing Legends – Navarra Historic
Navarra, Spain, October 10-12
More suntan lotion required… A new addition to the Motor Racing Legends schedule is Navarra in northern Spain, which will thrum to the sound of classic racing cars. GT3 Legends, Pre-War Sports Cars and Pre-63 GT are just a few of the grids. Entry from £7.

More Events

Sep 20-21 World RX – Istanbul Park, Turkey
Sep 21 F1 – Azerbaijan GP, Baku
Sep 28 WEC – Fuji 6 Hours, Japan