ustin’s baby A30 was an instant hit when it was launched in 1951, but with just 28 bhp available from its 803cc engine it was hardly the fastest thing on wheels. Matters improved slightly when the 1.1-litre A35 appeared in 1956, blessed with a heady 34 bhp. But tuning companies quickly saw the car’s giant killing potential and among the drivers who regularly raced an A35 was Graham Hill, later to win two F1 world titles, Le Mans and the Indy 500. Fast forward six decades and the little Austin is back on track and wowing the crowds once more. Today’s racer has been developed by the Historic Racing Drivers Club (HRDC) as the perfect Academy starter car for novices wanting to go historic motor racing on a budget. Once a classic two-door A30 or A35 has been found, it is stripped back to a bare shell. Then, to ensure it’s the driver with the greatest talent rather than the deepest pockets that wins, every car is built to a strict rulebook and using identical parts. The engines – a 1, 275cc version of BMC’s famous A-series unit – are all built by one supplier and then sealed so that no competitor can modify it to increase its 85bhp. It’s the same story with the transmission, the uprated brakes and suspension, the fuel system, oil cooler and radiator. The cars must also comply with strict safety requirements with a sturdy six-point roll cage, racing seat and harness. It should be possible to build an HDRC Academy car for less than £20, 000. The result? A massive grid full of identical cars that are quick enough to be fun to watch and, thanks to the narrow track and short wheelbase, demand super concentration from behind the wheel. The celebrity race at the Silverstone Classic will be split into two halves. The owners of the cars will qualify on Friday and race on Sunday, while the celebrities will be in action on Saturday and there is a prize fund of £10, 000 which will be split between Prostate Cancer UK, the official charity of the Silverstone Classic.
