Historic Sportscar Racing Kicks Off 2010

Historic sports cars

The Historic Sportscar Racing Series (HSR) has hit the ground running in 2010 with an updated schedule of eight classic historic races at five different circuits in the U.S. An announcement earlier this month about the restructuring of HSR and SVRA has breathed new life into the series. The two sanctioning bodies now manage their separate formats and unique histories independently and will use their cross ownership beneficially for positive synergy.

Additionally, HSR is increasing their public relations efforts and media outreach by hiring motorsports public relations specialist Barbara J. Burns.

HSR, celebrating its 20th year, is also expanding its exciting Daytona Continental Historic Races in November with an updated Camel GT Reunion event which will bring out many racing legends from the 1970’s, 1980s and 1990s. Celebrated drivers from an earlier sports car racing era expected to be on-hand include Derek Bell, Andy Wallace, Bill Adam and Chip Robinson, to name a few.

Porsche Caymans at Savannah/Hutchinson Island

Michael Shanes

“We are truly excited about HSR’s 2010 race season," said Ken Fengler, HSR Vice President of Race Operations. “There are so many positive opportunities for HSR this year as we focus on what we do best with managing historic racing event for our loyal customers and fans. We’re also delighted to be bringing Barbara into HSR. Of course with her motorsports history, she’s already familiar to us and many of our racing teams. The Sebring Endurance Challenge is just a week away and we can’t wait to go racing."

The exciting 2010 HSR schedule includes:

March 4-7: Sebring Endurance Challenge presented by Classic Motorsports; Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida
(featuring the Muscle Car Challenge sponsored by Cobra Automotive)
April 29-May2: The Walter Mitty Race presented by Classic Motorsports Magazine, Sponsored by Mazda; Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia (now in its 34th year)
May 14-16: The Vintage GT Challenge (HSR/SVRA Double-Header); Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 10-13: Savannah Historic Races; Savannah/Hutchinson Island, Savannah, Georgia
September 17-19: Atlanta Historic Races; Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
October 21-24: Sebring Fall Classic; Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida
October 28-31: Savannah/Hilton Head Speed Classic; Savannah/Hutchinson Island, Savannah, Georgia
November 11-14: Daytona Continental Historic Races; Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida (featuring the Camel GT Reunion)

Historic Sportscar Racing kicks off its 2010 racing season with the popular Sebring Endurance Challenge on March 4-7, 2010. Over 200 entries are expected for this tour de force event. Cars are the stars in HSR. From GTP to open wheel to stock cars, there is something for everyone, no matter your interest. Production-based race cars from Ford, Chevrolet, Porsche, Jaguar, to GTP exotics like Porsche, Nissan and Riley-Scott, and even sport production cars like the Brabham and Lotus show the diversity of HSR racing.

The 2010 season will launch the inaugural Cayman Interseries, featuring 2009-2010 Porsche Cayman S cars outfitted in famous Porsche historic race car livery. Go back to the future as more than 20 very modern Porsche Caymans regaled in paint scenes from yesteryear take to the track. Cars such as the Gulf Porsche 917, Lowenbrau Porsche 962, Rothmans Porsche 956 or Martini Porsche 935 Turbo, and many more will bring back memories of the classic originals. Interest in the Cayman Interseries continues to grow and more entries are expected in 2010.

Barbara Burns, a motorsports insider for over 30 years, grew up in the world of sports car racing. Barbara’s father, John J. Burns, was an amateur race driver, pace car driver and race official for over 50 years. He worked for many years as an official at HSR. Barbara’s mother, Glenda Burns, was the first female race track manager (at Road Atlanta) in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Racing was a family sport and the Burns family attended many events as a “family vacation". Barbara started working at races as a teenager and has spent her life providing her skills in various areas of the sport – at the race track, for the sanctioning body, in the media and with teams and drivers. Barbara started BurnsGroup Unlimited over 20 years ago to offer clients her expertise in the many facets of racing. She now brings her valuable motorsports knowledge and network to HSR.

The Klub Sport Challenge, a popular group featuring all Porsches from the 1950s, 60s and 70s with 1.6 to 3.0-liter engines, enters its 14th year. New for 2010, Klub Sport will debut the “Circle of Champions Trophy". Winning trophies from past championship drivers will be given as a rededication, along with a donation to that former’s winner’s charity of choice. The first “Circle of Champions Trophy" is a rededication of Elliot-Forbes Robinson’s Can-Am winning trophy from his1978 victory at Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada.

For 2010 HSR continues its winning formula with nine (9) classes. They include Vintage Production, Historic Production, Open Wheel, Cayman Interseries, Historic GTP/Group C/WSC/DP, Championship of Makes, Historic Stock Cars, IMSA Historic GT and Klub Sport Porsche Challenge. Additionally, HSR weekends include sprint and enduro races for all classes.

As “Baby Boomers" age and their nostalgia for the good old days of historic cars and racing memories continue to grow, it brings new fans and their families to the HSR. Remembering and giving tribute to the legends of yesteryear is just a part of HSR. All access to the pits, paddock and drivers, celebrity guests, car club corrals/activities, championship drivers of the past combined with pro drivers of today, autograph sessions, and a fan-friendly atmosphere are just part of a race weekend at an HSR event. Mark your calendars now and join us in 2010. We are just getting started!

For more information, please go to www.hsrrace.com.