Willie Green to return in Capri

Willie Green is aiming to make a racing comeback in 2010 more than four years after the accident at Goodwood that left him with serious leg injuries.

Green, now 65, will partner racing newcomer Peter Whelan in a replica of an early 1970s Weslake-engined Ford Capri, which is being constructed by QM Engineering. Outings in the Masters Touring 70s Series are likely, with the ultimate aim of taking the car to the Le Mans Classic in 2012. In 1972, Weslake Capris finished first and second in class in the 24-hour enduro.

Although Green says that he will not drive single-seaters again, his love of the Capri has tempted him to consider ending his four-year break from racing. “The Weslake Capri is a stunning piece of kit,” said Green. “The Capri rewards your physical input into the car more than anything I’ve ever driven, other than a Maserati 250F.”

Following the accident in 2005 at Goodwood, Green (below) sought compensation from the event’s television production company, organising club the BARC and Goodwood, claiming that a kerb-mounted camera had been the cause of his crash in a Maserati 4CLT. His claim was refused last July.

“I shall be careful and pick and choose the events I do,” said Green. “I’ll only race something with a full rollcage. But I’m out on track every week doing coaching and tuition; I love to see people improve.”

QM, headed by former Broadspeed employee Roger King, has converted the Capri from a road-going RS2600 and is now working with Weslake to supply the 300bhp engines once more.