Five touring cars not to miss at 75MM
Is there a breed of racing car that casts a wider net than "touring car"? We're not sure there is. The variety in what you can class as a touring car is enormous. We're hosting quite a few in various races and demos across this weekend's 75th Members' Meeting, so here's a list of cars to look out for. You won't find a Mini bundled in with a Ford Falcon anywhere else...
BMW 635 CSi
How could we not start with one of the Group A weapons? The BMW 635 CSi on top of being one of the most iconic coupes of its era, translated with impeccable class to the racetrack and Group A touring car racing. It was an on-and-off competitor in Group A, due to rules pertaining to road car sales numbers. The yowling sound of that iconic BMW six-pot is something you do not want to miss in the Group A high speed demo.
Image courtesy of LAT
TWR XJS
The BMW will have this to compete with for noise, however. The once stately, sedate, gentlemanly Jaguar XJS V12 is one of the more unlikely transitions to Group A fury, and one that narrowly escaped the aforementioned stringent sales count rules. There’s a lot of life and anger in the once silky-smooth power unit that you don’t want to miss during the demo. Not to mention that iconic livery, too. A special machine in special company in the Group A demo.
Ford Falcon
Who says touring cars have to be slender European fashion statements? A welcome buck to the trend and a regular entertainer at Goodwood comes in the form of the utterly gargantuan Ford Galaxie. This is a properly massive muscle coupe! We would say you can catch the thunder during the Pierpoint Cup, but truth be told, it’s a grid of thunder! To which, of course, the Galaxie will gladly contribute. Now, onto a rather different Ford touring car...
Ford Capri
This is more like it. A proper “dad’s dream car”. The Capri has got to be up there with the 635 CSi in the proper pucker coupe stakes. It’s got the big bruiser six-pot to back up the looks, too. We can assure you many a “corrr” was uttered when the resplendent red weapons flew past during test days, and those were silenced! Bring on the full-bore glory, and going tyre-to-tyre, nose-to-tail, as the sun goes down during the hotly contested Gerry Marshall Trophy. We can’t wait!
Image courtesy of LAT
Mini 1275 GT
Also participating in the Gerry Marshall, which, if you aren’t aware, contains such delightful mammoths as the Rover SD1 and the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, is the humble Mini 1275 GT. Talk about knife in a gun fight! Underestimate this little blighter at your peril, however, as you will find yourself flailing off in a cloud of smoke, as the Mini out-brakes you, holds the line at an impossible speed, and nips off into the distance. And with Mr Mini Nick Swift at the wheel, expect no pulled punches!
Photography by Tom Shaxson
75MM
Gerry Marshall Trophy
Group A
2017
Touring Cars
