The latest Motor Racing Legends formula – the Generations Trophy – enjoyed a fantastic debut at Silverstone over the weekend as it gears up to running its first full series in 2026. Some 20 cross-generational MGB crews took to the track, a mix of dads and daughters and dads and sons and, in one case, grandfather and granddaughter. Teams included historic race ace Andy Wolfe (rather more familiar with Lotus twin-cams), and daughter Nicole, Touring Car Ace Patrick Watts with daughter Aimee and Richard Hammond and daughter Isabel. The drivers ranged from total novices – one aged aged 18 another aged 73! – to seasoned karters and racers.
Winners after completing 22 laps in the hour-long outing were Rick and Joseph Willmott, from the Watts and James and Harvey McBrien in third. The formula will not just be about outright speed, however, with ballast and pitstop time penalties (determined by combined age!) evening up the field when it restarts at Donington in May, with likely further races at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, and Silverstone plus talk of Dijon and possibly also Charade.
Organisers say the concept is simple, but strict and intended to offer a supportive and safe environment for those new to racing. The cars – dyno-tested pre-66 MGBs to FIA-spec, chosen for their affordability and accessibility – are identical, the teams must comprise two generations of the same family and all compete in a 60-minute race with a small driver-swap window to ensure similar wheel time.
The series is the brainchild of MRL owner Shaun Lynn, who took part with his daughter Jemima. He explained: ‘I have been indoctrinating my children for a very long time. The many races I have done with my sons, Alex and Maxwell, have helped bring us closer together. These are special moments. My daughter Jemima often followed us to the circuits, but she never dared to put on a helmet. It’s actually thanks to her that I came up with the idea for a series dedicated to those who need a welcoming, safe environment to take that first step into racing.’
Richard Hammond, who shared his car with daughter Izzy, added: ‘Izzy and I both came here to learn. We just wanted to finish the race in one piece, and we did! We’re not yet ready for a ‘real’ historic race, and the Generations Trophy seems like a great entry point for people like us. We will do more!’
While organisers are delighted with the number of daughters on the grid with their dads, they say there it would be great to have a few mums with their sons or daughters. And more grandparent and grandchild pairings. Evie Russell shared with her grandfather, Gordon and said ‘My granddad has been racing for 57 years. I’m used to following him as a spectator at Goodwood and elsewhere, so we jumped at the chance to compete together. I was a bit nervous at the start of the race, but everything went really well. I had some great battles on track, and I was genuinely emotional when I handed over the wheel to my grandfather. I can’t wait to do it again next year!’
