Last year’s record entry of 67 teams for the 750 Motor Club’s traditional end of season 6 hour blast around the Silverstone GP circuit looks set to be matched as another strong field of cars is expected again later this month.
The Birkett Relay race is for teams of 4-6 cars and drivers who compete over a 6 hour duration. Prizes are awarded for the team who completes the highest number of laps, but there is also a handicap system to give all entrants a chance of outright honors, whatever their machinery.
With just over 2 weeks to go until the 26th October event at Silverstone, entries are still coming in, Giles Groombridge, Competition Manager explains. “We currently have over 60 teams entered and despite the deadline fast approaching we are still receiving enquiries. We will have everything from Locosts through to Radicals represented, and we are particularly pleased to see that Saker Sportscars are returning to defend their ‘scratch’ title”.
The event, which dates back to 1951, is open to anyone with a National B competition license, and teams can be made up of any closed wheel race cars. Team entry costs just £1,450 for 6 hours of wheel to wheel action!
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Notes for editors
Dating back to 1951, the race was the brainchild of one of the 750 Motor Club’s founder members – Holland "Holly" Birkett. Following his death the event was subsequently renamed in honour of the Club President. 2013 will represent the 62nd anniversary of the 6 hour race event and, just to confuse things, the 63rd Birkett event – the 50th anniversary was celebrated with an extra one–off 12 Hour Birkett race!
The race is held today on the Silverstone GP circuit and as a result can accommodate up to 70 teams of between 4 and 6 drivers and cars competing in a unique relay race format. Each team has to lap the circuit as many times as they can within the six hours, with only one of their team cars running at any one time. As one comes into the pit lane, the next can be dispatched out onto the circuit. Entry is restricted to sports and saloon cars; this means an eclectic mix of vehicles can be on track, everything from 1960’s MG Midgets to BMW M3’s, hordes of Caterham derivatives and modern sports racing cars such as Radical's.
The event is really two events in one. In addition to trying to win outright by recording the highest number of laps there is also a handicap classification, which in theory could be won by any of the teams. Each team, unless in scratch position, is credited with a certain number of credit laps, presumed to have been run before the race started. The results are then calculated from the credit laps and the actual laps covered by each team in the 6 hours to see who has beaten the rest…and the handicapper! In addition to overall scratch and handicap awards, there are a number of class prize to ensure all teams have a chance of silverware!
For more information please contact
Giles Groombridge, Competition Manager
750 Motor Club Ltd
The Conservatory Suite
Donington Park
Castle Donington
Derby
DE74 2RP
Tel: 01332 814548
giles@750mc.co.uk
Additional images can be obtained by contacting
Ben Wright, Marketing and Communications Executive
Tel: 01332 814548
ben@750mc.co.uk