In the highly codified world of historic motor racing, Motor Racing Legends (MRL) has established itself as one of the most influential players on the European scene. More than an organizer, MRL acts as a true living repository of motorsport, orchestrating events where history is not only contemplated: it is driven, contested and lived to the rhythm of the most beautiful circuits on the continent.
Across its twelve series spanning nearly a century of competition, from pre-war sports cars to 2010s prototypes, via 1960s GTs and 1970s and 1980s Formula 1 cars, Motor Racing Legends presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution of motorsport. Each meeting becomes a journey through time, blending aesthetics, mechanics, and performance in a deeply authentic atmosphere.
An organization dedicated to authenticity
The philosophy of Motor Racing Legends is based on the rigorous preservation of the historical integrity of the cars entered. The regulations are based on the historic FIA standards (Appendix J and K), guaranteeing respect for period configurations while meeting modern safety requirements. In the paddock, each event cultivates a warm, friendly, and memorable atmosphere, shaped by a team experienced in major international events, where close interaction between drivers, mechanics, and spectators is an integral part of the experience.
A key player in the European calendar
From Silverstone to Dijon-Prenois, from Donington to Charade or Brands Hatch, Motor Racing Legends structures a coherent European season, offering at each meeting a succession of grids spanning several decades of competition. This diversity gives MRL a position comparable to the major iconic events of the discipline, while maintaining a more immersive, sportier identity focused on the on-track experience.
The Rewind Tour Britain: Motor Racing Legends' flagship event
In this context, Motor Racing Legends has just launched a creation destined to leave a lasting mark on the discipline: the Rewind Tour BritainPresented at the headquarters of British Automobile Racing Club at ThruxtonThis new event is jointly organized by MRL and BARC, with the first edition scheduled for... 27 to 30 May 2027..
Inspired by the legendary Tour of Britain of the 1970s, where James Hunt, Graham hill ou Roger clark In a format blending rally and circuit racing, the Rewind Tour Britain offers a historical reinterpretation, faithful to the spirit of adventure, versatility, and endurance that forged its legend. James Hunt remains the last historical winner of this event, in 1976, fifty years ago.
A unique format in Europe
The Rewind Tour Britain will take place over approximately 740 kilometers across the United Kingdom. The event will include six circuit races and twelve rally stages on closed roads, all on asphalt, linked by liaison sections on open roads. Navigation will be done using a road book and official pace notes, and the cumulative performance across all disciplines will count towards a single overall ranking.
The competitions will take place at iconic venues: the Thruxton, Shelsley Walsh, and Castle Combe circuits, as well as on private estates, airfields, and military sites such as Blenheim Palace, Caerwent, and Epynt. The event will begin and end at Thruxton, the historic home of the British Automobile Racing Club.
Eligibility and competitive spirit
Historic two-wheel drive cars up to 1986 will be eligible. A "vintage" category will open the caravan, while an "invitation" category will welcome certain Group B cars. Several classes and trophies will enrich the awards, including prizes for the youngest competitors as well as a "Spirit of the Tour" trophy, rewarding the spirit and philosophy of the event as much as pure performance.
A launch in Thruxton marked by legend
The official launch of the Rewind Tour Britain, on January 12th in Thruxton, brought together a lineup of guests perfectly reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the event: David brabham, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Matt Edwards, three-time British rally champion, WRC co-driver Phil Mills, as well as the stars of the British Touring Car Colin Turkington et Patrick Watts. The latter, a multiple-time champion in historic rallying after a career as a circuit driver, embodies the ideal profile of a competitor in the Rewind Tour Britain.
Several legendary cars were also on display, including a Mercedes 450 SLC, a BMW 3.0, a Ferrari 250 GT SWB, a Porsche 911 SC and a Ford Escort, announcing the richness of the lineup expected in 2027.
Motor Racing Legends and BARC: an alliance of heritage and expertise
Motor Racing Legends has established itself as one of the leading promoters of historic racing, thanks to its twelve series covering a century of motorsport. Alongside it, the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) provides rare institutional legitimacy. Founded in 1912, and successor to the Cycle Car Club and then the Junior Car Club before its merger with the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club, the BARC is one of the oldest clubs in the United Kingdom.
In addition to organizing nearly thirty races per season for its members, the BARC manages the British Touring Car Championship, the Thruxton, Croft and Pembrey circuits, as well as several hill climbs at Harewood Hill and Gurston Down.
With the Rewind Tour Britain, Motor Racing Legends takes a decisive step forward. The organization is no longer content with simply celebrating motorsport heritage: it is renewing its formats, restoring depth to historic competition, and offering a vision where versatility, strategy, and adventure once again become central.
The Rewind Tour Britain is not just another event on the motorsport calendar. It embodies a new way of experiencing historic racing, more demanding, more immersive and deeply faithful to the spirit of the golden age of British motorsport.
Follow us for more details on the route and stages in an upcoming article!
Patrick Koune
Photos: © MRL & BARC for Motor Racing Legends
