The Thruxton 50th Anniversary Celebrations are...GO!
The serene countryside sounds were once again broken up by roaring engines in Hampshire as Thruxton celebrated their 50th Anniversary of racing.
The WWII airfield which used the perimeter roads as a race track, now known as The ‘Hampshire Speed Bowl’ played host to a selection of Formula that have graced the tarmac from years gone by.
The main draw had to be ‘Our Nige’, Nigel Mansell and the ‘Voice of Motorsport’, Murray Walker, who opened the brand new, state-of-the-art £2 million, Thruxton Centre for Hospitality.
On track, the sight and sound of the Championship winning Williams of Keke Rosberg doing demonstration laps, driven by ex F1 racer and TV pundit, Karun Chandhok. A real spectacle for the thousands of fans in attendance.
Also demonstrating were machines from the current era and Super Touring era of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Rob Austin and Rob Collard shared the track with an iconic machine from the Championships heyday. Austin drove his new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Collard with his BMW 1 series were joined by James Dodd in the 1999 Super Touring Honda Accord, driven in period by James Thompson.
Other entertainment included action from a host of HSCC programmes including action from the Mini Miglia Championship, Historic Touring Car Challenge, Ian Taylor Trophy Race and the Stirling Moss Trophy.
The evening saw bands and firework displays while through the weekend The Red Devils ‘dropped in’ on target.
With talk of continued development in the planning including a brand new pitlane and paddock complex, the future of Thruxton, under the leadership of Bill Coombes and Pat Blakeney is very bright. The next chapter is ready to be written of this fantastic venue and is adored by racers and spectators alike.
Words: Frank Mead
Pictures: Chequered Images
