Masters of Motoring Attracting Top Competition Cars from across the motorsports world

In the short period of time since the announcement of the expanded format for The 2024 Masters of Motoring event, over the first weekend of June, interest has already brought in a significant number of rare and historic competition cars – as well as a Supercar presence that already looks set to far eclipse 2023’s inaugural event.

Masters will, this year, span Saturday June 1st, with its track action day at Castle Combe Circuit, followed by a return to nearby Bowood House and Gardens on Sunday June 2nd for a Concours-style event, complete with various Theme Displays, set on the lawns of the picturesque Wiltshire venue.

Saturday’s Castle Combe track action day has already proved to be a big draw for owners of historic race cars – with several Historic F1 cars heading the entry.

Historic Specialist, Adam Sykes is the latest to commit to the weekend. He has confirmed at least three cars for the Masters. The first is one of the most famous national racing chassis of the 1980s – the March 75S that was the basis for Tony Sugden’s legendary Skoda Special Saloon, The Super Skoda. Now restored to its striking original March Bodywork, the car, which has had a great deal of money spent bringing it back into pristine condition, currently sports a quad-cam V6 Ford Cosworth engine fitted.

Adam Sykes has also confirmed the presence of one of the great 1960s Hillclmb single seaters, the Brabham BT18, which finished close runner-up to Tony Marsh’s Marsh Special in the 1967 British Hillclimb Championship, driven by Bryan Eccles. The car, which started life as a Formula 2 car was converted to run a 3.5 litre Buick V8 and it was subsequently campaigned by other legendary hillclimbers, Richard Thwaites and Jimmy Johnstone. The car currently boasts 280BHP and is being campaigned in classic hillclimbs by Steve Wilkinson.

McLaren’s M1A will be Andrew Sykes’ third car at Masters of Motoring. This particular example won in the 1965 Nassau round of the US and Canadian Pro-Sports Car series. In recent times it has been a Goodwood Revival and Members Meeting regular, in the hands of Andrew Wareing and it is instantly recognisable in its Nickey Chevrolet livery.

With further iconic historic race cars being lined up for the 2024 Masters of Motoring, look out for more news in the coming weeks.

Rally Cars were very much in evidence in 2023 and this year they will have the opportunity to be part of the action and show their paces on the Saturday at Castle Combe, as well as being on display at Bowood House & Gardens on the Sunday. Masters of Motoring will be a real feast for fans of the heady days of Group B rallying – arguably the most spectacular rally cars ever built.

“We are delighted with the response we’ve had from the rallying fraternity,” enthuses Steve Bishop, the Event Director. “We have Audi Quattros, Metro 6R4s, and a fabulous Renault 5 Maxi Turbo as well as some of the all-time classics such as Escorts, TR7s, Opel Mantas, Minis and an ex-works Firenza. For those who like things a little more modern, we have some WRC Cars – Imprezas, Escort Cosworths and Focuses and a Peugeot 206WRC – and there are more joining the ranks all the time!”

With the social side of the weekend developing rapidly, Masters of Motoring promises to be an event where those participating will have numerous opportunities to revel in both the gathering of cars and the assembled company of like-minded enthusiasts.

For further information on any aspects of Great British Motor Shows or Masters of Motoring, please contact Steve Bishop: [email protected]

For further information about Great British Motor Shows 2024 programme of events: www.greatbritishmotorshows.com and for details and registering for Masters of Motoring: www.mastersofmotoring.com