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Masters 4 Hours set for spectacular launch at Donington

  • gb
24.06.15
A bumper entry for the first ever Masters 4 Hours, plus a capacity grid for the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship, make Donington Park the place to be on July 4/5.
FIA Masters Historic Donington Park

The inaugural Masters 4 Hours on the Donington GP circuit is the UK’s version of the popular format run at Spa-Francorchamps and has attracted a 36-car entry thus far with the race open to Pre-66 GT cars. Ford GT40s abound in the entry, with Olly Bryant looking competitive partnered by father Grahame, while Jason Wright shares with Michael Gans. Hong Kong-based Richard Meins and Chris Lillingston-Price are GT40-mounted, too, as are touring car legend Steve Soper with former single-seater gun David Cuff, plus Craig Davies and John Young in what should be a stirring lead battle. AC Cobras could well triumph, though, with Chris Chiles Jnr and Snr sharing one car and Carlos Monteverde is Cobra-powered sharing with Gary Pearson. Elsewhere in a mouth-watering entry, German adrenalin junkie Marcus von Oeyenhausen races his Jaguar E-type, partnered by Rhea Sutter, while Julian Thomas has Nigel Greensall sharing driving duties in his E-type. Keith Ahlers/Billy Bellinger can’t be discounted from a giant-killing result in their Morgan Plus 4 SLR and marque specialist Mark Bates shares his Porsche 911 with brother James and should be competitive as well.
 
Olly Bryant is looking forward to the first Masters 4 Hours: "Donington is my favourite UK circuit and the GT40 should go well around there. It's our first race with the car and 4 hours is a long race. With the refueling stops, strategy will be key. I'm really looking forward to the race and I'm pleased Masters has put on a proper length endurance race." 
 
A huge FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship entry is headed by Leo Voyazides/Simon Hadfield (Lola T70 Mk3B) with tough opposition coming from the similar cars of Mike Donovan, Marc Devis, Paul and Dan Gibson plus Carlos Monteverde/Gary Pearson. Former F3 stars Martin O’Connell and Andrew Kirkaldy team up in Sandy Watson’s Chevron B19, while GT ace Joe Osborne shares Michael Schryver’s rare Lotus 19 Monte Carlo. A busy Pre-66 Touring Car grid will also entertain, with a superb Mini battle in prospect between Jonathan Lewis and Nick Swift, a V8 Yank Tank showdown and a 2-litre tussle between the hordes of Lotus Cortinas and Neil Merry’s Alfa Romeo GTA.
 
Masters 70s Celebration cars will also feature on the schedule while a busy support programme organised by the BRSCC containing Sports 2000s, Scottish BMWs, Scottish Saloons, Caterhams and Porsches will ensure the two-day timetable is packed and will be a stunning weekend of racing for competitors and spectators alike.
 
The Masters 4 Hours takes place on the evening of Saturday July 4 with racing from the other Masters categories and additional support races  – on both days.