Aythorpe Promotions Limited (APL) under the leadership of Historic and contemporary racer and car collector Shaun Lynn (pictured below, right in conversation with Andre Lotterer), has confirmed today that they have acquired the Motor Racing Legends organisation from current Chairman Duncan Wiltshire.
Motor Racing Legends is one of the world’s leading historic race promoters that participates in iconic events such as the Silverstone Festival, Spa Six Hours and Oulton Park Gold Cup. The agreement will also see APL acquire the Donington Historic Festival, which takes place this weekend (4-5 May) at Donington Park.
The move sees a full commitment to continuing with the published calendar for all current series and packages for the 2024 season.
The package currently encompasses pre-war cars plus categories for sportscars of the 1950s and ’60s and touring cars from the 50s, ’60s ’70s and 1980s.
“It is our hope that, through a shared passion for historic motorsport, we can help to write the next historic motorsport chapter. We’re delighted that Duncan will continue to lead the business until the end of 2024 and we look forward to working alongside his team to deliver what is set to be an outstanding season, ” said Shaun in a release today
The outgoing Chairman and owner Duncan Wiltshire is refocusing his commitments following his appointment as the incoming Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.
“I’m thrilled that Shaun and his team at Aythorpe will pick up the Motor Racing Legends baton. His passion for our sport is there for all to see and we know that the future of MRL is in safe hands. We’re all looking forward to the 2024 season and the opportunity to work together to drive the long-term future of the organisation.”
The change in ownership of the package that he founded and headed sees another major change for a third major historic racing package inside the past 12 months.
The move comes after Pierre Fillon confirmed last June that the Le Mans Classic will see more direct involvement from the ACO and Amaury Sports Organisation in the future and then, in December, Frederic Fatien announced his acquisition of Masters Historic Racing.
Speaking to DSC today, Shaun Lynn confirmed that there were moves in place for future seasons to see the addition of more race meetings outside of the UK. These would be organised together along with active consideration of an expansion into additional areas of historic – and post-historic – motorsport for their 2025 calendars and beyond.
