CHESHIRE’S GOLD RUSH

Thrilling touring car races and massive classic displays make big event a Bank Holiday hit

’More than 60 clubs took part in displays during the weekend’

The spectacular sight of flame-spitting Ford Sierra Cosworths, darting Minis and bellowing Mustangs battling for the inside line; and of E-types dicing with Elans and TVRs for podium positions made Oulton Park’s Bank Holiday race meet a joy to watch.

While most of the scheduled races – including historic touring cars and a round of the Jaguar Classic Challenge – will be familiar to seasoned attendees of the Cheshire circuit’s Bank Holiday classic-fest, there were plenty of new additions for 2017. The racing was punctuated by a poignant track demonstration of John Surtees’ Lola T70 Spyder, and the Sunday activities included the inaugural Cheshire Concours D’Esprit.

Many of the weekend’s racegoers were also taking part in the Gold Cup’s classic displays, which brought more than 1000 classics on to Oulton Park’s infield. More than 60 classic clubs took part in displays throughout the long Bank Holiday weekend, including the northern branch of the Austin-Healey Club, the North Staffordshire branch of the RS Owners’ Club and Porsche Club GB, which boasted its own dedicated display area.

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of event organiser, Motor Sport Vision, says: ‘This year’s line-up has been as good as ever, with plenty to enjoy both on and off the circuit.

‘The event serves as a wonderful reminder of the sport’s golden past.’

Ford Mustangs may have been the cars to beat in the Historic Touring Car race, but this year all the podium positions went to Lotus Cortina and Mini Cooper S entrants, with Robyn Slater’s 1966 Ford Anglia finishing fifth.

Paul Clayson’s 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 was one of the best-sounding competitors in the 1972-90 touring car race. The race was won by another car from the same year – a Rover SD1 Vitesse, driven in his usual entertaining fashion by Steve Soper.

The Austin-Healey Club’s northern branch displayed 15 cars on the circuit’s infield, including (L-R) Simon Blain’s 1972 Sprite, David Heathcote’s 1954 100 and Ivor Davies’ 1955 100.

One of the most spectacular entrants in the Super Touring Car race was this 1988 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, driven by Italian entrant, Gianfranco Brancatelli. Despite being up against more sophisticated 1990s BTCC cars, it still finished a respectable...