The Historic Racing Drivers Club is the latest historic racing organiser to have changed hands in the past 18 months after it was acquired by Motor Racing Legends chairman Shaun Lynn.
Prolific historics racer Lynn - father of Cadillac World Endurance Championship ace Alex - took over at MRL just under a year ago and his Aythorpe Promotions concern has now also added the HRDC to its portfolio.
HRDC founder Julius Thurgood will remain in charge but explained that the deal will help to safeguard the future of the club, which runs the popular Jack Sears Trophy, Gerry Marshall Trophy and Allstars/Classic Alfa Challenge categories for a range of retro tin-tops and sportscars.
“It’s exciting – I’ve known Shaun since the Top Hat days [effectively the predecessor to the HRDC] and he used to race with me,” said Thurgood.
“He’s always been a great example of being a clean competitor, running proper legal cars and just generally championing the historic world.
“MRL is totally invigorated, it’s a new order in there – it’s really upbeat.
“We’ve supported the old MRL for years and bringing great grids consistently. We’re just taking it to another level now – the HRDC is protected by Shaun’s investment in the whole thing.”
Thurgood stressed there would be no immediate changes for competitors and the HRDC will continue to focus on UK events, while MRL also appears at a variety of European meetings.
“No personnel are changing and we will still have the caravan and the catering,” he said. “But we can put our heads together for making events in 2026 and we’ve got some exciting ideas for some must-do events.”
Lynn added: “I have the utmost respect for what Julius has accomplished over the years and it’s vital to preserve what the HRDC brings to the table.
“We’ve got a huge knowledge and experience base as a group, and now we have a unique chance to put that to work.”
The HRDC deal follows Masters Historic Racing also getting new ownership at the end of 2023 when Ron Maydon stepped aside and GP Extreme boss Frederic Fatien took over.
Autosport says
Sadly, common sense can be rarely seen in motorsport but this deal between Julius Thurgood and Shaun Lynn is one example of it shining brightly.
It is a win-win for both sides and unites two organisations in the HRDC and MRL that have appeared alongside each other at various events for years. As Thurgood puts it, “there’s strength in numbers” and, with astute businessman Lynn at the helm, it should ensure a bright future for the HRDC.
Even though the club has enjoyed some enormously well-subscribed grids in recent years – and its Jack Sears Trophy pre-1966 tin-top field at the Donington Historic Festival is already into reserves despite being over a month away – running the HRDC represented a huge financial risk for Thurgood. Now he has someone to help shoulder that burden.
There has already been a very positive reaction from drivers to the deal and the difference Lynn has made to MRL in recent months has been stark. He introduced the new GT3 Legends series at the end of last year that is set to bring historic motorsport up to date and further exciting plans are being developed for the future, too.
The HRDC’s ethos of a welcoming and friendly paddock – with no championships that threaten to raise tempers – has become a joyous element of the national motorsport scene. And it is great to hear that should now be preserved for many years to come.
