British racers Aaron Scott (March 761) and Greg Thornton (Lotus 91/5) were the stars of the weekend as Masters Historic Racing provided two support races to the Gran Premio De Mexico.
While contemporary Grand Prix cars raced at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the first time in more than 20 years, a field of 20 Formula 1 cars of the 1970s and early 1980s delivered two excellent support races.
Scott, racing the ex-Arturo Merzario March 761 owned by Tommy Dreelan, and Thornton, in the ex-De Angelis Lotus, signalled their pace in qualifying by going nearly two seconds clear of Simon Fish (Ensign N180) and Irishman James Hagan (Tyrrell 011) as European crews dominated the times.
In the opening race, GT ace Scott was able to edge clear but aviator Thornton turned the tables in the second race to win by less than half a second. Fish wrapped up the podium party in both races, while Hagan and Max Smith-Hilliard (Williams FW07) each took a fourth place.
“It was great to race the March in Mexico and after the rain in Austin the previous weekend it was great to get some dry running,” said Scott. “The car was a lot of fun to drive and it was an amazing atmosphere. I had good pace all weekend and it was great to do battle with Greg in the Lotus. Well done to all at Masters for turning out such a fabulous grid.”
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