One of the premier historic motorsport championships has a new title. Effective immediately, the Thoroughbred Grand Prix series, which features the classic F1 cars of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, will carry the title, the FIA Historic Formula One Championship.
The new title more correctly illustrates the makeup of the series and will be more clearly understood by event spectators, overseas media and potential new competitors. “It will also make it easier to introduce the championship to promoters in faraway venues like Malaysia and China who are not well versed with European racing, “As we try to expand events across the globe,” says championship organizer, Stuart McCrudden. “Thoroughbred is not a word that conveys what we offer at first sight.”
The FIA sanction and the agreement of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been obtained and the 2007 series will now be known as the FIA Historic Formula One Championship.
An eight-event calendar is planned for 2007, starting provisionally with the new historic festival planned at Mugello, Italy, on April 1st followed by the Jim Clark Festival at Hockenheim on April 29, Donington’s GP Live! on May 20, the Jan Wellam classic at the Nürburgring on June 17, Brands Hatch SuperPrix on July 1, the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix meeting on August 5, Spa Historic on August 26 and Portuguese Classic Estoril on September 30.
