Masters Historic Festival Brands Hatch GP 27&28 May

[tbtstt]

Haven't been to this for over a decade due to calendar clashes but, with my original racing plan for Sunday cancelled, I decided to give it a look. Glad I did, as it was an enjoyable day out.

As others have said, entries were a little thin in some classes. Had been hoping for a few more entries in the Sport Cars, but as there was an M1B out there I could forgive the quantity! Pre-66 race was great, the whole field looked really well presented and the gaggle of Cortina's fighting for third were great to watch. F1 cars sounded immense.

Although they didn't have the numbers, the cars in the Endurance class made it one of the highlights of the day for me. Shame that we only got one 90x in the second race, but was still superb to see LMP1 cars on the GP loop. If the respective class numbers remain low then maybe running the Endurance and GT cars together could make things interesting?

Glad I stayed on for the last race as well, felt so sorry for the leader chucking the win away on the last lap.

[stuart thompson]

The Gerry Marshall trophy was a massive highlight to a fabulous weekends racing, I hope they come again, it would also be fabulous to add some Gp2 and Gp5 cars in some way.

[Peter Mallett]

I disagree with part of your post, adding group 2 and group 5 cars would result in the Group 1s disappearing. Look at the MRL Tony Dron Trophy. That said, Sunday's race was extremely good.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Although they didn't have the numbers, the cars in the Endurance class made it one of the highlights of the day for me. Shame that we only got one 90x in the second race, but was still superb to see LMP1 cars on the GP loop.

Agreed - since the fences went up around the loop I don't really go out there as much but I did take the walk to go and see the LMP1 cars stretch their legs. Very impressive and they were the real highlight of the day for me.

Originally Posted by tbtstt

If the respective class numbers remain low then maybe running the Endurance and GT cars together could make things interesting?

I thought about that too - but the concern would be the closing speeds between the LMP1 cars and the GT4 cars. A step too far I think. It'd make sense to put the GT3 cars (or car at Brands) out with the other GTs rather than with the prototypes but that would further dilute the grid of the Endurance Legends.

[stuart thompson]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I disagree with part of your post, adding group 2 and group 5 cars would result in the Group 1s disappearing. Look at the MRL Tony Dron Trophy. That said, Sunday's race was extremely good.

I didn’t mean to add them to the Gp.1/1.5’s, I was thinking more along the lines that it would be great to see some racing in some way at the Masters Festival.

[Peter Mallett]

Well they had the chance but rejected them a few years ago. Hence MRL Touring Cars.

[Malcolm Smith]

Had a fabulous weekend, especially enjoyed the Formula One, Gentleman Drivers and saloons. Didn't mind some other races having smaller grids as I spent time in the paddock and garages - lots to see and great folk to chat to.
Like Peter, I found the fences a bit annoying for photos, a few are attached.

[Peter Mallett]

Good stuff.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Smith

Like Peter, I found the fences a bit annoying for photos, a few are attached.

I have moaned about it several times in the past, but the high fencing has ruined the GP circuit. Safety is obviously important, but what they have done is overkill.

Took a few pictures at Hawthorns and inside Druids, few faves...













...and a few more here:

Flickr - Masters Historic Festival 2023

[justracing]

Quite frankly for whatever reason(competing events, etc), the whole masters festival is but a shadow of former years and as for the fencing....
Having said that the F!'s were really good this year as were the saloons but where have all the glorious sports and endurance cars disappeared to?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by justracing

Quite frankly for whatever reason(competing events, etc), the whole masters festival is but a shadow of former years and as for the fencing....

Last time I went was 2008 and, as far as I can recall, the entry was better this time around (as was the weather!). Guess the numbers have risen and then fallen in the interim?

I had been hoping for a couple more Can-Am cars in the Sports class and some older machinery in Endurance. Still enough interesting cars to make me feel like it was a worthwhile trip to Brands though.

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by justracing

Quite frankly for whatever reason(competing events, etc), the whole masters festival is but a shadow of former years and as for the fencing....
Having said that the F!'s were really good this year as were the saloons but where have all the glorious sports and endurance cars disappeared to?

I looked at the programme 2010 and it was just sad looking at how incredible the event was when they'd have separate grids for smaller and bigger Gts and Sportscars. I'd say the event being every year has lessened the appeal of the circuit. Less people travel from Europe and a lot of British based drivers run with Peter Auto.

Heard so many drivers go on about how good the track was yet the grids don't show it which is perplexing