Seasoned Jaguar racer Richard Butterfield is assembling what he calls a ‘jamboree of fellow Jaguar MkI racers’ to swell the ranks of the Historic Racing Drivers’ Club’s new Touring Greats series – specially created by Julius Thurgood for pre-1960 historic touring cars.

Richard has successfully raced a Jaguar MkI saloon for the past decade, enjoying all the thrills of competing amongst a field of competitive Fifties touring cars. But a combination of high entry fees and a perceived lack of competitor support from race organisers has seen grid numbers drop dramatically in recent times, as Richard explained:

‘In my opinion – and I believe this is a commonly held view amongst my fellow Fifties racers – the camaraderie, spirit and fun element of our racing series has all but gone. And instead of being regarded by its organisers as a series that provides fair and good value racing mixed into a bigger programme, we have become relegated to being “optional programme fillers” or amalgamated with other, inappropriately-matched series.’

Richard’s enthusiasm for the HRDC’s new Touring Greats series has led to a number of former competitors bringing their ‘retired’ MkI Jaguars from under the dust sheets and preparing them for the track once more.
The first Touring Greats races take place at Brands Hatch on April 9, followed by Donington (April 30 to May 2), Silverstone (June 24-26), Thruxton (July 30) and Snetterton (October 1). For further details of the HRDC, go online to www.hrdc.eu.