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.

PISTONHEADS FIRE UP AT THIS SUMMER’S HIGH-REVVING CLASSIC

PISTONHEADS FIRE UP AT THIS SUMMER’S HIGH-REVVING CLASSIC

With more than 10,000 of the world’s finest road and racing cars from yesteryear all sparking into life at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, masses of piston-heads will be feverishly revving up and down at this summer’s high octane Silverstone Classic (26-28 July)… but, perhaps, nowhere more than behind the old pits at the northern end of the circuit.

It is here that Silverstone’s popular Paddock Café is being transformed into the fittingly named Pie & Piston pub by PistonHeads, Europe's largest online motoring community with more than 1.2 million members.

With help from some of its numerous members, PistonHeads has amassed 20 exquisite icon cars for display, epitomising the car-mad PH brand which will be on pole position right outside the Pie & Piston on each of the three days at the Classic, as well as reserving an exclusive adjoining display area for PH members to participate with eligible cars. The line-up is sure to create quite a stir among the 100,000+ visitors attending this summer’s record-breaking festival.

Somewhat appropriately for an ‘icon’ titled display, the showcase features an eye-catching Icon 917K – a stunning Porsche 917 recreation that a PH member has built from a shell purchased on PistonHeads eight years ago.

Other standout pin-ups include a De Tomaso Pantera, Subaru Impreza 22B, Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 1, Ford GT40, Lamborghini Gallardo, Radical SR3, Land Rover Series III, Volvo 850R, Corvette Stingray, Ferrari F430 and TVR Sagaris – the eccentric mix ensuring there’s something to stir the souls of all-comers.

“Pies, pints and pistons – certainly gets my vote,” effused Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO. “But, much more than that, PistonHeads has become a must visit the website for all car enthusiasts whether they are looking for great news and features, to join ever-engaging discussions on the forum, or to buy from the huge selection of tempting cars for sale in the classified sections. From all angles, it’s an incredible community of car-lovers and the perfect fit for the Classic which fully echoes those sentiments.”

PistonHeads’ Marketing and Community Manager, Ben Lowden, is in total agreement with Wigley. “We’re incredibly excited to be taking our infamous pub, the Pie & Piston, to the Silverstone Classic this year,” he enthused. “Being right at the heart of the largest historic racing festival in the world here at home in the UK with our members is our highlight of the year. It goes without saying, we look forward to seeing all those attending for a pie and a pint!”

It’s still not too late for members of PistonHeads to take advantage of exclusive display packages next to the showcase of selected PH icons. Like all members of registered car clubs, they have until the end of this month (May) to apply.

All those wishing to attend this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.

Adult general admission starts at £45 and all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer mark the 50th anniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website.