A RETURN TO RACING: DM HISTORICS FIA LOTUS CORTINA COMPETES AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

A RETURN TO RACING: DM HISTORICS FIA LOTUS CORTINA COMPETES AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

This weekend, DM Historics will compete at the world-famous Silverstone Classic in a stunning 1965 Ford Lotus Cortina - a UK-first for the company’s race team and 1960’s racer. Supported by the workshop’s very own motorsport segment, the Cortina is set to be raced for the first time in almost two decades by DM Historics founders – father-son due to Dominic and Marcus Holland.

After extensive preparation work by the in-house team at DM Historics, the Ford Lotus Cortina has been made track-ready as the latest race competitor from the industry-leading classic car business.

Originally exported to Australia in 1966, where it was exclusively driven on-road, this factory-specification Ford Lotus Cortina was converted to full FIA-spec in 1995. Featuring a complete competition interior with roll-cage, Cobra Evolution racing seat, four-point racing harness and period-correct Moto-Lita steering wheel, this race conversion was no quick-fix. The car was transported around the world, visiting Japan, Miami, Sweden and finally Holland where it was entered into the world-renowned Tulpenrallye, one of the most historic Dutch classic car rallies that is strictly limited to pre-1971 classics. The car was consistently raced throughout the 1990s as an ‘A-frame’ racecar, and after a brief period off-track, it was purchased by new, race-crazed owners.

From 2005 to 2009, this 1965 FIA Ford Lotus Cortina racecar competed at the Spa 6-hour, Knockhill and Grand Prix De L’Age d’Or in Dijon. Now, it looks ahead to world-class events like the Silverstone Classic, putting the car through its paces once again. The DM Historics team have run the racecar in an extensive array of motorsport events, however, this will be the vehicle’s first stint in the highly-coveted Silverstone Classic – a wonderfully significant moment in the life of this glorious little racer.

Founder Marcus Holland commented: “The team at DM Historics are incredibly excited to be entering this wonderful vintage racecar into the world-renowned Silverstone Classic. Having been in the industry for many years, we understand just how difficult it is to get FIA approval to race at Silverstone – so to have our own car on-track is a dream come true. We hope to get in some great laps and put on a performance for the event. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there, and putting our race support team to the test.”

The DM Historics workshop has seen a number of FIA racecars through its doors, including a stunning 1959 Lotus Elite S1 Type 14 which was fully race-prepared by the in-house team. It is now packed with a plethora of other stunning classic automobiles. An exquisite 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 sits alongside a stunning 1953 ex-Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar XK120 and 1974 Fiat X1/9 Group 4 rally car.

DM Historics is an industry-leading restoration specialist, classic motorsport support service and classic car dealership, based in the Kent countryside. With an experienced in-house workshop team, DM Historics offer a complete concours-standard service from race-preparation and support, to sales and ground-up restoration. With recent concours showings from Salon Privé, Concours of Elegance and Pebble Beach, DM Historics are proud to offer an industry-leading classic race-support service to match.