In the 1970s and 80s, Brands Hatch regularly hosted events for some of the biggest, loudest and most spectacular racing machines to ever be built. Sports cars, Formula 5000 and Formula 1 all helped to make the circuit world famous, and all are set to return to the track this weekend for the Autoglym HSCC Historic Festival.
Long-established as a landmark on the historic calendar, the highlight of the event should be the sixth round of the FIA Historic Formula One Championship. Formerly known as the Thoroughbred Grand Prix series, HFO is the official championship for F1 cars of decades past. The series has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years with big grids of some of the most evocative names to race Grands Prix in the 70s and early 80s. Lotus, Williams, Tyrrell, McLaren and Brabham are just some of the machines racing in HFO this season, with all cars having been lovingly kept in their original liveries and colour-schemes. One particular feature on the cars is that the name of the driver that raced it originally remains on the side of each cockpit, so watch out for names such as Piquet, Mansell, Villeneuve and Stewart amongst others.
The Orwell Supersports series might not have a well known name, but the sports cars that compete in it are nothing short of awesome. With more than eight litres of power in some of these 30-year-old machines, they look and sound spectacular as they race flat-out around the Grand Prix circuit.
The prestigious Derek Bell Trophy will also be a highlight of the weekend, featuring an eclectic mix of F1, F2 and F3 machines as well as some from the popular Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic series of the day. Also worth a look is the 70s Road Sports series, for some of the most sought-after cars of the period, such as the Lotus Europa, the Jaguar E-Type, the Triumph Spitfire and the Morgan Plus 8.
Meanwhile, a very special one-off race for historic Formula Fords will be taking place on Sunday. The John Webb Trophy, in honour of the man who created Formula Ford at Brands Hatch, will be run for a packed grid of early Blue Oval racers, the day before the 40th anniversary of the popular series’ conception.
The opportunity to race on what is one of the most famous and challenging circuits in the world has drawn a multitude of competitors to Brands Hatch for the Festival. Many of the races have been over-subscribed, meaning spectators will be treated to the sight of packs of nearly 40 cars charging through Paddock Hill Bend at the start.
The Festival also includes some great free activities for kids, including a football penalty shoot-out, interactive basketball and the largest fun inflatable in Europe, and with children aged 16 and under being admitted free, the Autoglym HSCC Historic Festival is top-notch entertainment for all the family.
