A full grid of retro Grand Prix cars is expected to contest the Historic Gold Cup races at Oulton Park later this month (29-31 July). Two Historic Grand Prix Car Association (HGPCA) races will feature across the weekend, with a capacity entry of classically-modelled open-wheel race cars from the '50s and '60s.
Amongst the star HGPCA entries will be John Spiers 1955 Maserati 250F, chassis #2516. The 250F is a car with an important place in Gold Cup history, with Stirling Moss winning the first two editions of the circuit's signature event behind the wheel of such Italian machinery in '54 and '55. Later on, John Surtees became the first person to win the Gold Cup as a historic event when he was victorious in a 250F in 1981.
The Maserati expected to feature at Oulton Park this summer was predominantly raced by Frenchman Jean Behra in 1955, including to the top step of the podium in the Pau and Bordeaux Grands Prix. Behra also reached the rostrum with third place in Monaco behind the wheel of this car that year.
Another notable car set to feature is the 1962 Lotus 25 of Nick Fennell, which was driven in-period by two-time Gold Cup winner Jim Clark. After retiring from the South African Grand Prix in this machine, Clark won Grands Prix in Paul and Imola as well as the Silverstone International Trophy. Nick Taylor's Lotus 18, raced in 1961 by Scuderia Colonia is another machine from the famous British marque entered.
Several cars from the Cooper will line up too, including works cars driven by Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren and Ray Salvadori. These include a Cooper T53, raced by McLaren on his way to second in the championship, whilst there will be machinery carrying the Brabham name on the grid too.
The full entry list for the HGPCA is expected to include 34 cars, and will be published in due course. A comprehensive list of entries for the whole meeting will be published ahead of the event.
Other highlights of the updated programme this year will include new additions from Masters Historic Racing, the Classic Sports Car Club, the Vintage Sports-Car Club and the Historic Racing Drivers Club. All on-track activity will be overseen by the Historic Sports Car Club which will also offer up a range of its popular championships and series.
Saturday and Sunday tickets are available from £22 with free entry for under-13s. For more information, please call 0344 225 4422 or click here.