1980s series offers "perfect entry-level" route to historic racing
Multiple historic racing champion Kevin Kivlochan says a new series for production cars of the 1980s will offer a more affordable way into historics for a new generation of racers

The value of historic race cars has generally risen considerably over the last decade and Kivlochan, a champion in a 1960s AC Cobra and a 1970s Morgan +8, says that the Historic Sports Car Club's new 1980s Production Car Challenge will help to make historic racing more accessible to younger drivers.
Kivlochan said: "This is a perfect entry level category and gives drivers a chance to be on the grid in a car that could easily cost them less than £10,000.
"The cost of cars can be a barrier to entry into historic racing, but the '80s Production Challenge will offer lower-cost racing and will be great fun.
"I'm sure it will particularly appeal to drivers in their 30s and 40s, who can race the cars they grew up wanting to have!"
The series is open to cars with standard bodyshells and with only minor modifications to engines and suspension.
The series will not be open to Caterhams or homologation specials for competition, and cars will be split into classes based on engine size, with a separate class for turbocharged cars. Furthermore, cars will race on treaded tyres.
The highlight of the programme will be the chance to race on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in May.
The pilot four-event season starts at Snetterton in April and also takes in Cadwell Park and Mallory Park as well as two races alongside other HSCC categories at Spa-Francorchamps in early October.
Plans to launch the series in 2020 were hit by COVID-19, although a trial race was run at Cadwell Park in September.
Typical cars that can be entered include the Alfa Romeo GTV6, BMW 3-series, Ford Fiesta XR2, Honda CRX, Morgan +4, Porsche 944, Vauxhall Nova, Suzuki Swift GTI, Toyota MR2 and Volkswagen Golf.

60th anniversary of Mini Cooper to be marked at Silverstone Classic
Alesi and Arnoux to race 1974-spec Ferrari at Monaco Historic GP

Latest news
How a little electric storm thundered to Goodwood's hillclimb record
Nick Heidfeld's official Goodwood Festival of Speed record in McLaren's MP4/13 Formula 1 car - and the unofficial hillclimb record set by the Volkswagen ID.R - were both brushed aside by the McMurtry Speirling driven by Max Chilton on Sunday. Here's a look at the fan car that blew away the competition
How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force
Colin Chapman’s marque was the most successful across Goodwood’s 71 contemporary era Members’ Meetings, from 1949 to 1966. Many of the future Formula 1 pacesetter's finest creations will be in action during this weekend's 2022 event, attempting to re-live an era when period Lotus was gaining unstoppable momentum
Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting
A year and a half after it was originally scheduled, this weekend’s 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting honours key figures from the circuit’s history, including the likes of Stirling Moss, Dan Gurney and Gerry Marshall
The restorer keeping a land-speed record-holder's memory alive
From a famous land-speed special to an Indianapolis 500 frontrunner, restorer and racer Geraint Owen has a fascination for making old machines work
The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years
The Imps of George Bevan became famous in British Saloon Car Championship competition during the early 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts, including Bevan's grandson Jonathan, one of the ex-Bill McGovern title winners has recently returned to the race track
Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event
After a year's enforced absence due to the pandemic, the Goodwood Revival Meeting returns this weekend for the 23rd in a series that transports fans to a bygone era of motorsport. Here's 10 reasons why you should check it out
The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart
Last weekend's Silverstone Classic may not have benefited from the best British summer weather, but there was some great racing – and a baffling result
The part rolling relics can play in motorsport's high-tech future
OPINION: Last weekend's Silverstone Classic was another reminder of the joys of dusting off racers from days gone by. But while it might not be obvious, the historic racing world has the potential to play its part in our futures – on and off track