Past Race Events That Should Be Re-Born
670 Mile Lap!
As we enter into the 2024 racing season, the different series across the globe are always trying to mix the events up with new regulations and racing formats. What we all really want is V10’s and a top 10 qualifying shoot out back in F1. The World Endurance Championship has returned to the golden age of racing alongside their American counterpart IMSA. But what past events should return to the 2024 calendar?
1970 Brands Hatch 1000km. Motorsport Images
1000Km Brands Hatch:
Spanning 3 decades the 1000Km of Brands Hatch featured the best endurance races around the amphitheatre circuit, most famous of all would be the 1970 edition were Pedro Rodríguez won the wet race by five laps in his Porsche 917, and drove one of the races of his life.
Perhaps the circuit maybe a bit small for the WEC Multi class format but with 30 combined Hyper and GTP cars, that should be more than enough for an epic race.
1949 Spa 24 Hour. Motorsport Images
Spa Francorchamps 24 Hour:
This year the Spa 24 Hour is turning 100. It’s current layout is a 4.3 mile FIA grade 1 circuit where it is challenging enough for the drivers with the unpredictability of the Ardennes forest it is situated in.
However, I propose, because of the 100th anniversary of the classic race, it’s a perfect opportunity to go back to it’s old circuit layout of a 9.3 mile mostly road going race as it once did back in the day. With the exception of La Source and Raidillon, The circuit was mostly high speed, if not flat out corners, flying past locals on your way to complete each lap.
I know Logistically and Safety would make it impossible but I can dream.
1970 Targa Florio. Motorsport Images
Targa Florio:
One of the original street circuits. In the same vein as the old layout of Spa Francorchamps, these goliath circuits are no more and perhaps for the best, however, imagining current GT cars racing around the Italian country side would be a spectacle to behold. At it’s peak the race would tour the entire perimeter of Sicily which was 1,080 kilometres (670 mi) from 1948 to 1950. Now that’s an endurance race!
1928 Brooklands. Motorsport Images
Brooklands:
The Brooklands motor circuit was the first purpose-built banked motor race circuit in the world. At the end of June 1907, eleven days after the circuit opened, it hosted to the world's first 24-hour race. Endurance racing in it’s blood from the very beginning.
These days there isn’t much left of the circuit, most of it is now taken up my housing and Mercedes Benz World. It’s a shame no one thought to preserve one of the first Motor Racing Circuits in the world.
Image a Goodwood Revival style of event, time warp back to the 1900’s.
Audi R8 2000. Motorsport Images
Race of a Thousand Years:
It’s the turn of a new millennium and what better way to celebrate than to host a race that will see you into the new year. That’s how it was planned anyway. The Adelaide street circuit hosted the race which was intended to be run for 1000 kilometres, but was stopped short due to time constraints for the concerts and New Year’s celebrations. Originally the race was signed up for a 10 year deal but was called off after just one race.
Perhaps every new millennium we can make an exception for this race. Roll on 2100!
Bathurst 24 Hour:
The 12 hours and the Bathurst 1000 are gruelling challenges up and down the mountain, Would 24 hours be to much? Back in 2002 & 2003 Mount Panorama hosted two 24 hour races which were a kind of combination of the two, featuring FIA N-GT cars such as the Lamborghini Diablo, Ferrari 360, M3 GTR, Mosler and so on. But they would all be bested by the locals in their Holden V8 Supercars on both occasions.
Are there any events that I’ve missed, or any circuits that need a mention? Let me know in the comments and remember to sign up for more content.
Freddie.
