Sports 2000

[andy97]

Following on from the recent discussion in the historic section of 10-tenths about “Sports 2000” I thought I d’ bring things up to date in this section, perhaps some regulars here are not too familiar with this excellent series. First of all excuse me for some history…..

The Sports 2000 category was started in 1977 by John Webb as a club series with cars that aped the look of the popular Group 6 2 litre “2 seater” Sports racers of the time. Sports 2000s often used the technology of the equally popular F Ford 2000, including the 2 litre Pinto engine, clothed in very pretty Le Mans style bodywork. Manufacturers such as Lola, Tiga, Royale, March, Chevron all produced cars.

The series was very successful for many years with well known names such as Frank Sytner, Ian Flux, Ian Taylor, Davina Galica & Mike Wilds all appearing amongst big grids. Sadly, the series declined for a while in the early 1990s but has seen a resurgence in the last 10 years or so. Many early cars are now seen out in “Historic Sports 2000” (See Historic forum section) but the newer Pinto engined cars also have their own series as well as a much newer classes for Duratec engined cars – Class A with modern aerodynamics and sequential gearboxes from manufacturers such as MCR, Cabir, Gunn etc and Class B Duratecs which are usually converted cars with H pattern boxes & therefore very cost effective.

The styling of Sports 2000 cars has always mirrored the Le Mans type cars of the day. Thus the newer cars look like LMP 1 or 2 sports prototypes but cost a fraction of those things!

For 2011 the series has announced a change to radial tyres which should lower lap times a fair bit & the calendar includes races at Spa, the opportunity to enter a couple of 1 hour races for one or two drivers & an invite to a 750 mile race at the Nurburgring GP circuit. There are usually 2 x 20 minute Sports 2000 races at each meeting; one for the Duratecs & one for the Pintos (although Pinto cars can also race with the modern cars if they wish, at a significant discount.

For the future, there are already plans for a new endurance series in 2012 and the club has already forward booked European races for 2012 (Dijon) and 2013 (Le Mans).

With the demise of the SPEED (nee V de V UK series) in the UK, Sports 2000 offers one of the fastest sports prototype series in the UK at very cost effective rates. The cars are quick, very attractive & Autosport has recognised one of the manufacturers, Gunn, as one of its top 10 cars of the year in 2009 (TS6) & 2010 (TS11). Grid sizes are good & driving standards high. If you want to consider racing Sports Prototypes – whether modern or historic – have a look at the Sports 2000 website.

PS. As some of you may recognise, I am a CSCC chap, so have no vested interest here, I just love these cars!