More than 400 classic racers descend on Brands

| 16 Jul 2013

A huge selection of race cars stormed Brands Hatch for the HSCC’s Historic Superprix on 13-14 July.

In the Derek Bell Trophy Greg Thornton’s recently acquired March 761, the car raced by Ronnie Peterson at Monaco, made its debut and won a red-flagged and restarted race on Saturday ahead of Peter Meyrick.

Thornton would also take Sunday's race, again ahead of Meyrick’s 1978 Formula 2 March.

Historic F2 was commanded by Matthew Watts’ March 772, which won both races despite the challenge of Richard Evans’ 742.

The Guards Trophy’s qualifying session was awash with Chevrons, with the marque taking the first six places.

Most of the race was led by Martin O'Connell, but he retired on the penultimate lap handing victory to James Schryver.

Spoils in the Two Martini Trophy races for 1970s 2-litre sports cars were shared between Martin O'Connell’s Chevron B36, on Saturday, and James Dodd’s Chevron B31, on Sunday.

F3 cars were also out in force, with two grids, one for the earlier 1000cc screamers and another for the later 2-litre cars.

Peter Thompson’s Brabham BT21 won the Historic race and Benn Simms’ March 803B took the classic race.

Mike Gardiner's Ford Falcon won the Historic Touring Car race.

Two former BTCC stars were reunited with their cars at the event, multiple champion John Cleland drove a 1997 Vauxhall Vectra and Patrick Watts his 1998 Peugeot 406.

Watts qualified quickest for the Super Touring car race, but both he and Cleland retired after just one lap of Saturday's race.

Both drivers returned on Sunday with Watts taking victory, while Cleland fought his way through the field to finish third.

Word and pictures: Eric Sawyer