Brands Hatch – Masters Historic Festival 2025

The Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch is a part of the Masters Historic Racing Series which has events across Europe and the Middle East.

Masters covers a wide range of cars from open wheelers, touring cars and various categories of sports cars.

Of course, the biggest draw is the Formula 1 cars. Masters has a series for 1966-1985 Formula 1 cars, all equipped with Cosworth’s 3 litre DFV V8.

I’m keeping an eye out for one of these Fly Saudia/Leyland Williams for my Scalextric collection. It’s a very nice livery!

There was also a display at lunchtime of late 1980s to early 2000s Formula 1 cars.

The beauty of Masters is that it’s an open pit, so you can get behind the pit garages. Seeing a 1970s F1 car stripped down is not something that you get to do everyday! Obviously, if you go, don’t enter the garages without permission. You don’t want to get in people’s way. They are there to work.

I’ve never really covered the 1967 to 1978 Formula 2 series that races at this event. I think I’ve always been more focused on the F1s. They were really good though! Very close, fast racing!

I was really looking forward to the GT Trophy for 21st century GT cars. It was really nice to see them run but there was only a small field of them. I think I really need to go to Brands for a contemporary GT event.

The airjacks that they use to lift modern race cars are so cool.

I hardly got any coverage of the Pre ’66 touring cars I’m afraid. I did watch some of the qualifying and the two cars that really jumped out at me were this Mercury Cyclone:

And this peach and white Lotus Cortina. It’s a really unusual colour scheme for one of these but it really suits it!

Super Touring Power is coming up later in the month though and there will be Pre ’66 Touring Cars running there too, so hopefully I’ll get better coverage then.

Masters always has a big static car show too. This year there were a lot of Alfa Romeos on display. I don’t often get the opportunity to feature Alfas, but they are one of my favourite manufacturers. I’ve not had the pleasure of owning one so far, but perhaps one day I will.

I loved the Tricolore hoses on this 147.

There was also a good selection of Porsches:

I’ve not seen a 968 before. Apparently it replaced the 944 but only had a short production life of 4 years (1991 to 1995). It’s a pretty cool little thing!

There were a fair few American cars. I was only able to get a couple of pictures I’m afraid.

Pro-street BMW E21 powered by a Chevrolet V8.

This E30 M3 was in the pits rather than the car show, but I couldn’t not include it!

A Ferrari 308 GTB with a very appropriate number plate.

I’m not too sure what this was but it was a bit of a beast!

There were a number of Japanese classics including this beautifully restored Mk2 Celica-Supra.

A first generation MR2.

I love this generation Celica. They always remind me of the SEGA Rally game, I used to play that a lot when I was little.

A Honda Z600 kei car:

There was a little Honda Kei truck too which looked like fun! It also looked really practical. The bed size is probably about the same as a modern Ford Ranger. I know the Ranger is more comfortable, seats more people and can tow better, but for light truck work the little Honda looks really efficient!

Lovely R32 Skyline.

Finally in the Japanese section we have my favourite car of the entire show – this FB RX7. The period correct livery and deep dished wheels with slightly stretched tyres really really set this out from the crowd. Beautiful car!

There were a few British Fords. Mk1 and Mk2 Cortinas:

The twin cam Lotus Cortina was a very competitive car in touring car racing back in the 60s.

Hillman Imps also raced in touring cars back in the day. These look like fun little cars. They’re rear engined, rear drive and weigh practically nothing.

We all know I’m a fan of Jaguar. There were a few on show.

Finally we have the Reliant Sabre Six convertible. Based on the Reliant Sabre but with a Ford six cylinder, only 77 were built – 75 coupes and 2 convertibles, making this a very rare little car!

Thanks for reading. I know my coverage was a little spottier in this one, and I do apologise. I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

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By Richard Francis