The group recently celebrated its 85th anniversary, and aims to give enthusiasts a cheaper and more accessible way of entering motor racing.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The roar of engines and the smell of petrol filled the air at Browns Hatch as the 750
00:06Motor Club arrived for their season opener. The club, designed as a low-cost entry into
00:11motorsports, has been running for over 85 years and shows no signs of stopping.
00:16Priding itself as the home of affordable motorsport, the club runs several series including the
00:21famous 750 Formula which has run for over 75 years. But where did it all start?
00:27The origins of the club go back to 1939 when motorsport was a rarefied pursuit for the
00:34very rich and the 750 Motor Club was formed as a route to give enthusiasts with more modest
00:43ambitions a route to actually participate in organised motorsport events.
00:48The ethos around 750 is always to keep it low cost, to allow people to come in on a tight
00:53budget to be able to come out and do racing on slicks and wings which I think is the best
00:58value for money you can get in racing in the UK.
01:02Founded in 1949, the 750 Formula is the longest continuously running motor racing championship
01:07in the world. Famous names like Colin Chapman, Golden Murray and Eric Broadley have all passed
01:12through its doors and it really stands as a home for designers and racers who want to get
01:16interested in motor racing at a low cost level. Cars like this Race Kit's Falcon behind me cost just
01:21upwards of £5,000 to buy and then race here with the 750 Motor Club.
01:26I'm just an everyday working person. I haven't got sponsors of hundreds of thousands to do other
01:32things even though everyone probably here would like to do that but this is what we've got and this
01:38for what we're paying this is top probably better than some of the people that are paying top money.
01:44You won't find any slicks and wings racing cheaper than the 750 Formula.
01:50The 750 Formula is not the only racing series offered by the club but is unique for both its
01:55history and the fact that so many of its drivers have family connections to the Formula.
02:00My dad raced, my grandad raced, in fact my grandad designed and built the car behind me.
02:04So yeah it's been my life basically. Well my dad used to race at 89 so I would just turn up and
02:12clean the wheels and do all the rubbish jobs. So then when I started karting when I was eight.
02:18My grandad has done it for 50 odd years and his dad done it as well and then I've just been coming
02:23ever since I was a little boy really. My dad used to be in motorsport, he used to be a navigator rally
02:29driving. And it's not just the drivers, many of the cars also have long connections with the club
02:34with names like Simpson and Cowley being synonymous with the 750 Formula.
02:38This is the fourth car that my grandad's built. I think this one was built in 1991
02:45and then in 2004 I think we switched engines and the first ever one to win the championship
02:50with the new engine in. Especially winning this car's first ever race after 40 odd years.
02:58That was quite a tearful moment for me and my dad. It was very special.
03:01Even the club itself has developed a family atmosphere as rivalries on track quickly turn
03:07into camaraderie off the circuit. Everyone's really friendly, it's a brilliant atmosphere.
03:11You know, any issues with their cars or whatever then people always chip in and help. It is that
03:17kind of formula. The club has a rich history and it's sort of a privilege to sort of be part of that
03:23and keep its legacy going. With a bright history and a promising future, it doesn't look like the
03:29checkered flag will be coming down on this racing series anytime soon. Tim Forster, KMTV.