ANGLESEY VOTED AN HISTORIC HIT AS HSCC SEEKS REPEAT GIG
The Anglesey circuit received an overwhelming vote of approval from drivers as the North Wales venue hosted its first historic racing festival.
Of the 170 drivers who raced at Anglesey over the weekend, the great majority were sampling the track for the first time and the response was virtually unanimous: it is a brilliant circuit with excellent facilities, a stunning location and is perfect for historic racing.
Of course, Anglesey is not new. The current circuit layout was inaugurated fully 12 years ago, and the venue is now in use up to 300 days a year. Constant reinvestment and attention to detail makes Anglesey a match for just about any UK track. But until last weekend, the venue had not been on the historic racing calendar.
When the hard working and enthusiastic circuit team persuaded the Historic Sports Car Club to take a race weekend, drivers supported the event in fair number. Sure, for those in the South East, it is a long haul but as Historic FF1600 racer Callum Grant from Bolton said: “It’s only like us going to Brands!”
Those that travelled to the island just off the north coast of Wales received an extremely warm welcome, and once on track were converted into instant fans.
“This is a wonderful track,” said multiple Road Sports winner Kevin Kivlochan after his first sighting laps on Friday morning.
“It is quite technical and great for historics. It is a lovely venue.”
Formula Ford racer Louis Hanjoul trekked all the way from Belgium and was stuck on the M25 for four hours on Thursday morning. “I absolutely love the track,” he said. “It is very flowing and what a view!”
Veteran 70s Road Sports racer Charles Barter stunned his rivals by taking pole on his fourth lap in his Datsun 240Z. He’d not tested on Friday but simply walked one lap on Friday evening. Sadly, his weekend ended before the end of qualifying with a suspected head-gasket failure, but he was readily converted. “It’s a fantastic track and there’s still a lot to get out of it. The track is so technical and I really enjoyed it.”
Among his rivals, Porsche 911 racer John Williams was equally impressed. “The circuit is a real challenge and they’ve gone out of their way to welcome us. As a driver, it is nice to feel wanted at a circuit.”
At the wheel of his sensational Formula
5000 Gurney Eagle FA74, Frank Lyons made his Anglesey debut. “I love the track. In one of these it is hard work with no respite and it is very demanding. The team here have been first class and could not have done more for us,” said the HSCC chairman.
From the circuit team, Andrew Crighton said: “We were keen to work with the HSCC to make this happen and we’d like to make it an annual event. We’ve had a lot of interest locally and the celebration of the life of Tom Pryce has really captured people’s imagination.”
From the HSCC, Andy Dee-crowne summed up the reaction: “We will be back!”