Following the enthusiastic response from racers to the launch of the JD Classics Challenge, the new Historic race series for Groups 1 and 2, and Group A Touring Cars from 1977-85, there have been widespread requests to extend the eligibility back to 1972.

The new series is called the JD Classics Challenge, thanks to the help and support of the premier classic car dealership, JD Classics. As with all Motor Racing Legends’ series, the races will be for real race cars from the era, running to the correct period specification.

Says Duncan Wiltshire of Motor Racing Legends, the company behind the new Historic Touring Car races: 'From the moment we first announced the new race series – and the fact that our first ever round will be held at the all-new Donington Historic Festival on 30 April to 1 May 2011 – the phone just about rang off the wall.

'The response was electric, both from owners keen to dust off the Touring Cars they have sitting in the back of a garage, and from racers who want to buy a suitable car from the era, so that they can join in the fun. However, it soon became clear that a great many Group 1 and 2 cars from the equally thrilling 1972-76 era are still in existence – cars such as the BMW 2002 and 3.0 CSL, Ford Escort RS1600 and the RS2600 ‘Cologne’ Capris, Toyota Celica GT, Alfa Romeo GTAm – and the enormously fast-in-a-straight-line 5.7-litre and 7-litre Chevy Camaros. So, to give the racers the maximum fun, and the spectators a truly terrific race to watch, we’re including some invitation classes for these earlier cars.'

More details can be found at www.motorracinglegends.com