The Historic Sports Car Club’s Derek Bell Trophy will have a new look for 2009, following confirmation that MSA championship status has been granted to the series for the first time. Now to be known as the HSCC Historic F5000/F2 Championship for the Derek Bell Trophy, the category will be limited to Formula 5000 and Formula 2 cars, although Formula Atlantic cars are likely to race alongside the F2 cars.
The 2009 season marks the 40th anniversary of the first British Formula 5000 race, and strong fields are expected for the five races on the provisional calendar counting toward the championship. Last season grids for F5000 and F2 races boasted more than 20 cars each, so combined entries could be impressive, and equal recognition will be given to the top runners in both classes.
The tentative schedule begins at Silverstone on May 10, then moves to Snetterton on May 31, Brands Hatch on July 4, and Oulton Park on August 31, before closing the season in France with an October 4 date at Dijon-Prenois.
