When MRL chairman Duncan Wiltshire announced a new certification programme last month – verifying engine capacities through inspection – little did they anticipate the immensely positive reaction it would receive from competitors.
A quick catch up with the MRL chairman and we found out the reasons why the programme has been introduced.
“All historic grids experience difficulties verifying engine capacities. So this ‘Certification Programme’ has been a long time coming. It is partly the phenomenal success of our Historic Touring Car Challenge, after last year’s revised entry criteria, which has tipped the balance for us. And our driver survey in October confirmed that an overwhelming majority of competitors wanted us to introduce a system to help level the playing field.” States Duncan.
“Whilst all of our competitors are honest and, of course, want to win fairly, some may have inherited a car which has been modified in the past to be over bored, and they have perhaps become accustomed to where it leaves them on the grid. Without an incentive to change it back, we risk leaving other competitors feeling, well, rather frustrated.”
The new Motor Racing Legends ‘Engine Capacity Certification’ programme requires that a licenced technical official inspects an engine as it is being assembled. The nearest qualified scrutineer visits the workshop and measures the bore and stroke, before sealing the engine. Those cars with a sealed engine will be checked by the series scrutineer (John Hopwood) at each meeting and if the seals are still in place, will be recognised within the results.
Motor Racing Legends eligibility scrutineer John Hopwood commented “We have had some front running competitors ask us to check their engines in the past to help eliminate any accusations of cheating. But this programme will help reduce the need for competitors to over develop engines just to keep up. Since the launch we have been inundated by requests to inspect engines from all the relevant grids, and even the FIA are interested in what we are doing.”
The Motor Racing Legends Engine Capacity Certificate will apply to MRL’s Historic Touring Car Trophy, Tony Dron Trophy for Group 1 cars, Stirling Moss Trophy and Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy. And whilst for 2017 certification will be voluntary, with those cars with certified capacities being indicated on our entry lists, it will inevitably become mandatory in later years, with non-certified cars being excluded from podium results or moved to an ‘invitation class’. “That moment is for another season”, says Duncan “For now we are delighted the scheme has had such a positive response. Motor Racing Legends is proud to be leading the field in creating a level playing field in historic racing.”
If you are a Motor Racing Legends competitor and are interested in getting your car inspected or to learn more about the grids of Motor Racing Legends please visit: www.motorracinglegends.com
