Two new Motor Racing Legends grids took center stage at Silverstone’s BRDC Classic, with GP Icons presented by Goodyear and Endurance Icons making well-received debuts during a packed weekend of historic racing. Under blue skies and in front of large crowds, 300 race cars competed across nine MRL categories spanning the pre-war era to GT3 machinery.
GP Icons, showcasing 3.0-liter Formula One cars from 1966 to 1985, attracted 16 entries representing 11 marques, from BRM to Williams. Lukas Halusa won the inaugural race in a Brabham BT49, delivering a measure of redemption for a car that missed out on victory at Silverstone in 1982.
Endurance Icons brought Le Mans-style machinery from the 2000s back to the circuit, with a 23-car field of GTs and prototypes that included an Audi R8, Bentley Speed 8 and Cadillac Northstar. The Cadillac was making its first appearance in historic competition.
Keith Frieser won the opening race in a Zytek 09S, while Mike Newton finished third overall in an LMP2 MG-Lola — the same car he raced at Silverstone in the 2005 and 2007 Le Mans Series. Two decades later, the program remains under the direction of original RML race engineer Phil Barker.
Although the Generations Trophy was absent from the weekend, several father-and-son teams competed, including Zak and Max Brown. Sharing a Ferrari 458 GT2 jokingly described as a “red McLaren,” the pair won the GT2B class in Sunday’s second Endurance Icons race.
The weekend’s largest MRL field came in the Pre-’66 GT Sprint, with 52 cars taking the start Saturday. Andy Wolfe and Julian Thomas claimed victory in a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.
Jimmy Broadbent made his Motor Racing Legends debut in two contrasting cars, racing a Nissan GT-R in GT3 Legends and a Ford Mustang in the HRDC ‘Top Hat.’ Track cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy also impressed, finishing second in the 2-Litre Sportscars race alongside Alex Brundle in a 1975 Lola T292 before switching to a Ford Falcon for the HRDC ‘Top Hat’ Pre-’66 Touring Cars.
Away from the track, spectators had close access to the cars, drivers and race preparers in the paddock and garages. Saturday’s country-and-western evening added Stetsons, cowboy boots and line dancing to the weekend’s entertainment.
Motor Racing Legends next stages a double-header Sept. 11-13, with simultaneous meetings at Castle Combe and Dijon. The Generations Trophy will race at Castle Combe, while the Pre-War Sports Cars, Top Hat Pre-’66 Touring Cars and Pre-’66 GT Sprint grids head to France.
Zak Brown, driving a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and a 2011 Ferrari 458 GT2: “The first time we’ve been at a Motor Racing Legends event, and I’ve got to say it’s first class. It’s our first of many. Silverstone is an unbelievable track. The GT3 and Endurance Icons cars show me how old I’m getting because when I see these things, I’m like, ‘These aren’t historic.’ This is the first time I’ve raced with my son. He’s done one race at Brands Hatch and, unfortunately, he’s already quicker than me. So he’s either pretty good or I’m slow. There are some fantastic cars here. I’ve seen quite a few that I certainly wouldn’t mind having in my garage.”
Sir Chris Hoy, driving a 1965 Ford Falcon and a 1975 Lola T292: “Motor Racing Legends have done a fantastic job. The whole hospitality set-up, the food, and everything else has been first-class. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of it this weekend, and hopefully we’ll be back again soon. I love the whole 2-Litre Sportscars grid – I think these cars look fantastic. It was a real surprise to finish on the podium. The Lola is unbelievable for a 51-year-old car. It’s agile, lightweight, and the noise it makes is incredible. When you’re charging down the old pit straight and throwing it into Copse Corner in fifth gear, knowing there’s genuine downforce underneath you, it’s a fantastic feeling.”
Jimmy Broadbent, driving a 2012 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 and a 1965 Ford Mustang: “There’s nothing quite like historic racing. There’s obviously a competitive spirit between the drivers, which is great to have, but it’s not cut-throat. If a team is missing something, they’ll simply go next door and ask another team for it. I feel very fortunate. You couldn’t really have two more different cars to drive. On one hand, you’ve got this incredible high-downforce GT3 car, and on the other, the Mustang with tyres that feel like they’re made of plastic. You’ve got to be adaptable. Sliding the Ford Mustang around is so much fun. It’s such a cool car to drive. I’m a huge racing fan, so being able to see all these legends out on track, while the public gets to enjoy them too, is special. I think that’s something quite unique to this event as well. I’m hoping to get invited back again soon for another one.”
Pierre-Antoine Lecoutour, CEO of Motor Racing Legends: “This inaugural BRDC Classic concludes on a highly positive note for Motor Racing Legends. With the successful launch of the GP Icons presented by Goodyear and Endurance Icons series, the continued momentum of the 2-Litre Sportscars, and grids averaging more than thirty cars, the weekend has highlighted the strength of our fields. We hope we lived up to the expectations of both the spectators and Silverstone Circuit, whom we warmly thank – along with the BRDC and all the drivers – for their trust and support throughout this first edition.”
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