Equipe Classic Racing announces at Race Retro brand-new historic race series for 2020

Following on from the success of its GTS and pre ‘63 programmes, Equipe Classic Racing has announced a brand-new historic race series for 2020, and its stand at Reis Race Retro will be featuring a very special part of motorsport history.

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire a Cooper-Bristol that was previously raced by the late Formula 1 World Champion, Mike Hawthorn. Now owned by Robert Clark, who will take part in the new Equipe ’50s Series, chassis CB-03-52 achieved numerous wins and podium finishes with Hawthorn during the 1952 and 1953 seasons.

Successes included wins at Goodwood in the Lavant Cup, Chichester Cup and Sussex Trophy, and there were impressive finishes at Silverstone, Spa and Zandvoort. Starting out in single-seat configuration, the car was later converted to a two-seater whilst retaining the original chassis and it continued to take overall and class victories.

This amazing car is the perfect way to showcase Equipe ‘50s, the new series featuring classes for production sports cars up to 3.8 litres, and for sports racing cars under 2.0 litres. The latter will have two separate classes for pre-1955 and pre-1960 racers, an arrangement that reflects the changing technology throughout the decade.

All of the cars taking part will run on Dunlop Historic tyres and will conform to the FIA’s Appendix K regulations. With plenty of famous marques eligible for the new series, including the likes of Lotus, Cooper, Jaguar and Triumph, spectators are guaranteed to experience thrilling racing action.

The 2020 calendar features seven races and the series begins and ends at Silverstone, but it will also be visiting Spa and Brands Hatch amongst others. The organisers have also announced an exciting addition to Equipe ’50s with a special round taking place at the MGLive! event at Silverstone from 13-14 June.

Equipe Classic Racing Partner John Pearson said: “By carefully selecting eligible cars, Equipe has delivered close and exciting racing over the years and we’re really looking forward to bringing the new series to life. We are immensely proud to have such a historically significant racing car on our stand at Race Retro. Having been driven by Great Britain’s first F1 World Champion, it is one visitors won’t want to miss.”