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The British Touring Car Championship turns 65 in 2023 and, to celebrate, Classic Nostalgia will welcome a selection of star cars and drivers.
The two-day meeting at Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire, on 22-23 July, will feature guests including Matt Neal, Mike Wilds, Ian Flux and John Fitzpatrick to honour the series’ landmark anniversary.
Cars from throughout the BTCC’s history will be on show, plus some will tackle the 1000-yard hillclimb.
John Fitzpatrick will get behind the wheel of his race-winning 1971 Ford Escort RS 1600.
He claimed four rounds of the ’71 British Saloon Car Championship (the series was renamed the British Touring Car Championship from 1987) in the Broadspeed Escort, but was denied a fifth win when he clashed with Frank Gardner in the season finale at Brands Hatch.
Another of John’s racing cars will be on show. It is a Broadspeed Ford Anglia in which he finished runner-up in the 1967 championship, similar to the car pictured at the top of this story, which shows him driving a Ralph Broad team Anglia.
There will be another reunion at Classic Nostalgia 2023, this time for ex-Formula One driver Mike Wilds and a Beaconsfield Toyota Celica he raced in the 1978 BSCC.
Also campaigned by Alec Poole and Martin Brundle in 1979 and 1980 respectively, the Celica is in great condition and even retains its original hand-painted livery.
And bringing the celebrations up to the BTCC’s modern era, three-time champion Matt Neal will demonstrate his 2014 Team Dynamics Honda Yuasa Racing Honda Civic on the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb.
Other cars on display will include a Group A Ford Escort RS 1600i driven by Barry Lee and a Jeff Allam Group 1 Ford Capri.
Ex-BTCC racer Ian Flux will be at Shelsley Walsh for the Touring Car celebrations, too.
Organisers are trying to find some of the cars he raced, including a Toyota Supra Turbo MA70 and 1996 TVR Tuscan. If you can help, email rebecca@eventspr.co.uk.
And 65 years of the BTCC isn’t the only anniversary being marked at Classic Nostalgia this year.
There will also be celebrations for 90 years of Railton, and 60 years of both the Mini Cooper ‘S’ and McLaren.
In addition, Classic Nostalgia on 22-23 July 2023 will once more host the Classic & Sports Car concours d’elegance for pre-’85 cars. Entries will be accepted on the day.
Plus, we have a special 25% off ticket offer for C&SC readers.
Images: Ford/Stuart Wing/Derrin James
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