After two cancelled race meetings in 2020 and a postponed meeting at the beginning of the month, the Alfas are at last returning to Silverstone for the opening rounds of the 2021 championship season amidst a controlled relaxation of the Covid restrictions and a positive outlook for a gradual return to normality during the remainder of the year. Sporting the new sunstrip livery of the 2021 headline sponsors, the HITEK Electronic Materials Alfa Romeo Championship cars will contest Rounds 1 and 2 on the popular 1.64 mile National circuit.
The drivers and teams have been working hard around the winter lockdowns to get the cars ready and the regular line up of drivers is being joined by a number of familiar faces from previous campaigns.
Triple champion Tom Hill will be defending his title in the unique and very competitive Revs Italia prepared 3.2 litre GT from a number of drivers across all three classes who will be looking to provide stiff competition in a variety of cars as the season progresses. It’s good to welcome back Gareth Haywood for his first outing since Silverstone 2012, now in the championship winning GTV that was victorious in the hands of both previous owners, Roger Evans and Graham Seager.
Gareth will be joined in the Modified class by Keith Waite, Scott Austin, Paul Webster and Barry McMahon. Keith is in his familiar 75, Scott in the 155 now sporting a new Fiat 20 valve turbo engine, whilst Paul is in his power trophy 156 3.2 litre. Paul is anticipating running his 147 GTA at future races but is having to race the 156 in the Modified class as he hasn’t been able to get it rolling road tested. Barry returns in the very quick 156 Turbo that could be challenging the long standing lap record set by Roger Evans in the GTV.
Tom’s rivals in the Power Trophy class include regular drivers George Osborne in the immaculate 75 3.2 litre, Dave Messenger in the Darnell’s 156 GTA and Andy Inman in the Revs Italia prepared 156 GTA. Joining them on the grid this year will be Graham Seager, having changed his GTV for a Revs Italia built 147 GTA.
A strong line up in the Twin Spark Cup class is sure to provide competitive racing once again as Andrew Bourke seeks to defend his class title. There are 16 registered drivers in the class so far and it looks likely that 11 TS cars should line up at the start of qualifying for the weekend’s action. Andrew’s Bianco Motorsports prepared 156 is joined by the similarly prepared car of last year’s runner-up, Simon Cresswell and the distinctive black and gold HITEK car of third placed driver Richard Ford.
Jon Billingsley is in the ex Martin Jones 156, whilst Martin himself returns in a Bianco 156. Steve O’Brien has changed his 147 for a Motus One 156 and Jonathan Tortolani has a new engine in the ex Luther Blissett 156. Andrew Fulcher makes a welcome return to the championship after a year off and is once again in his strikingly liveried Filippo Berio 147. Completing a strong twin spark cup line up is James Ford in his familiar 156, Gethin Llewellyn in his Horley Motor Company 156 and Luke Powell in his 147.
Covid restrictions mean that the event will be held without spectators but the 750 Motor Club is hopeful that live streaming of the races will be available.
Thanks go to all our sponsors this year: HITEK Electronic Materials, Yokohama tyres, Black n Rounds, WoYa Digital, WrapUK.com, Enzari, Andrew Lee, Fusion Care Solutions and the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. Their continuing support of the championship is much appreciated and valued.