Pre-66 Touring Cars (U2TC)

Filed under: Classic News |
Minis and Cortinas chase the Ford Mustangs around Redgate in the Masters Pre-66 Touring Car race

Minis and Cortinas chase the Ford Mustangs around Redgate in the Masters Pre-66 Touring Car race

Accross the UK and Europe, racing for period touring cars is massively popular and one of the best and most competitive series is the U2TC, for under two-litre touring cars. Developed by Carol Spagg of Historic Motor Racing News, the U2TC series is for pre '66 touring cars with a maximum engine size of two-litres. In a genre where the American V8s tend to dominate, U2TC allows the Lotus Cortinas, BMWs and Alfa Romeos to battle for overall victory. The result is well packed grids and tremendous competition all through the hour-long, two-driver races. If it rains, the Mini Coopers will get right up there as well to add to a great spectacle. While the V8 Mustangs and Falcons have plenty of other places to play, one of the leading Ford Falcon exponents is also a pacesetter in U2TC with a Lotus Cortina. Leo Voyazides is one of the best gentleman racers in historic racing and is regularly  teamed up with the flying Simon Hadfield to make a fiercely competitive package. They win here a year ago after a mighty performance and will surely start as favourites again.
1964 Ford Cortina

1964 Ford Cortina

However, the opposition is extensive. From around 20 Lotus Cortinas, notable cars include those of Carlos Monteverde/Gary Pearson, John Griffiths/James Thorpe, Neil Brown/Richard Dutton, Mike Gardiner/Niki Faulkner and former BTCC racer Mark Jones who is set to drive solo. Dark horses include Shaun Lynn, partnered by sometime rally driver Andrew Haddon and allrounder Nigel Greensall who shares the car of Irishman David Moran. From the BMW pack comes the standard-setting 1800 TiSA of model expert Richard Shaw and former F1 racer Jackie Oliver, along with racing veteran Paul Taft who shares the car of Peter James. Among the Alfa Romeo Giulias is the car of brothers Andrew and Max Banks and that of Ros Warburton, which is shared by hard charging local Andy Newall.Tags:,